Away From DS for 5 days, will I be able to continue BF?

[GuineaPigMum]

DS is 13mo and still feeds morning, evening and during the night, plus during the day when I'm not at work. When he is 16mo I'm going on a work trip and will be away for 5 days.

The original plan was to finish BF by then. If I'm to do this, when do I need to start cutting out feeds? DS is a terrible sleeper and feeds to sleep during the night. We co-sleep afterhis first wake up. Do I tackle night feeds first?

I'm also wondering if I'll actually need to stop BF. Im ready to stop but I'm scared that BF at night is the only thing that will settle DS. Tbh I'm a bit sick of BF a wriggly, distracted toddler plus I want to TTC soon. I'm going to India with male colleagues so won't feel comfortable expressing while I'm away. If I cut down enough feeds will I be able to be away for 5 days and still BF when I get back? ATM i get uncomfortably full when I'm at work all day so can't imagine going 5 days and nights without pumping or feeding. Anyone done it?

Can't really advise you on everything Guinea as I'm not trained and would probably be talking out of my arse .

I'd tackle the nights first, someone is going to have to get him to sleep while you are away so that someone should start doing it now, so that by the time you are away it is just normal. Have a read of this and see what you think.

As for TTC, there is no need to stop bfing to TTC although I realise that you want to stop anyway. Have a read of this on Bfing and TTC.

If you do want to stop and are planning on cutting down feeds before you go, I think the current advise is to drop one feed every two weeks, this is for your benefit as it will reduce the risk of mastitis. You may want to talk to a BFC Counsellor about how to stop before the trip though .

I went away for work for 6 nights when DS was 18 months.

he continued to not sleep co-sleep with DH whilst I was away, was offered cows milk or formula (and refused the formula - we had some cartons left from when I went back to work), and was fine. I think he night weaned before I went away, so overnight he was just getting water anyway, but my brain is mush now and can't remember!

fed when I got back, and is still feeding now at 34 months (with 6 week old DD - so TTC was fine for me!!).

whilst away, I intended to pump and dump, but didn't have time, so I hand expressed a bit in the shower every morning, and then whenever I felt engorged.

have a safe trip :)