Leaving my baby for 5 days

[lopsided]

Hi I have to leave my baby for 4-5 days when he will be 16 months. I hope to still be feeding. Currently he feeds morning and night and during the night.

If I pump twice a day while away will I keep my supply?

Will he still want to feed or know what to do when I get back?

I would definitely like to continue feeding if possible. I'm really worried about how much he'll miss me (and how much I'll miss him).

I went away for 5 days for work when DS1 was a little older (just 2) but still feeding morning and night - pumped twice a day while I was away and resumed feeding no problem. I think past a year your supply is fairly robust. DS1 was delighted to see me and continued feeding for another six months or so until I was a few months pregnant with DS2.

Thanks, I don't really want to go. I think he'll really miss me. I also worry about taking my pump through security (its a work trip).

Glad to hear a positive story.

If you really don't want to go, is there any way you can get out of going and/or bring your LO? I managed to fairly creatively avoid work travel for quite a while after returning to work with DS1 (lots of video conferencing, including from home while BF out of sight of the laptop camera!), and then the first trip I took I brought DP and DS1 with me (at our own expense, obviously) as it was only a couple of days of work and we stayed for a weekend away after it.

Not really. I work in a fairly male dominated environment and it would be pretty unacceptable to bring my family. Also we have other children who are in school.

I'm not required to travel often (once a yr on average). I could get out of it but it would be to my detriment. I'll just have to hope it'll be OK and he won't be too upset. Nothing is ever quite perfect I guess and I definitely want to keep my job/not be sidelined.

I took a pump through security (hand luggage only) to the UK last week - no problem at all. By 16mo I'm sure there'd be no issues with resuming feeding, even if you pumped only once a day by then. I'm sure he'll be fine. Will he be with your DP?

Yes he'll be at home with dh and other DC as usual so I hope this will help.

Worried a bit about the pump as I am going somewhere sort of unusual (don't want to out myself). Known to have tight security and don't want to get into a conversation with colleagues about why I'm still breastfeeding (I'm pretty sure they'd think it weird).

Thanks for your reassurance :-)

If you're going away for 5 days, I presume you'll have hold luggage so the pump shouldn't be an issue. Your baby will be fine, honestly.

Had no problem bringing pump through security either, I'm sure airport security people see them all the time. And yes, if my DS was anything to go by, your baby will be fine!