Away from my baby for three days - can I return to nursing?

[jessilin0113]

DS will be 9 months in a few days. I have to be in a wedding around that time. I don't want to take him because it's an 8 hour drive one way, but I don't want to be away from him for that long either. I'm afraid he won't nurse when I get back. If I pump will we be ok?

[ria7]

I hope others have answers for you. My friend just did this and her son nursed when she got back. She said she had to pump and dump 100 oz in 4 days because she flew and had no way to store it. She said that was horrible! 

Can anyone ride with you to pacify the baby while you drive? 

[Seniahmom]

I've done it with my older DS and am doing it this weekend with my 9 month old. He'll go back. Just make sure you pump regularly!!!

[Sweet_Britt]

You can't just make stops along the way with the baby?

(Sorry Im not of any help, other then his NICU stay, Dylan hasn't been away from me more then an hour in 2 years...lol

[jessilin0113]

That was the plan but I'd have to leave at like 4 am to be there on time. I'm in a bit of a time crunch with work and stuff. I may still take him just weighing my options. I'm not ready to be done nursing yet.

Quoting Sweet_Britt:

You can't just make stops along the way with the baby?

(Sorry Im not of any help, other then his NICU stay, Dylan hasn't been away from me more then an hour in 2 years...lol

[jessilin0113]

That's reassuring. Thanks. :-)

Quoting Seniahmom:

I've done it with my older DS and am doing it this weekend with my 9 month old. He'll go back. Just make sure you pump regularly!!!

[larissalarie]

It should be just fine. He'll likely be eager to nurse when you return, and if not YOU are still in charge and it only has to be over if you allow it. Once you return, toss the bottles/cups/solids until he's nursed.

[Seniahmom]

No problem. :-) I know it's scary, but the comfort and closeness draws them in. He'll have missed that. (And you too!)

Set alarms on your phone for pumping times - plot it out in your head. And stay hydrated too - it's easy to let drinking water slip out of your mind when you're busy with wedding stuff. Bring a cooler and bring a thermos (or a few I've used wide mouthed reusable water bottles), as you pump fill the thermos and keep it buried in ice in your cooler. It will stay nice and icy cold to ring home with you!

Quoting jessilin0113:

That's reassuring. Thanks. :-)

Quoting Seniahmom:

I've done it with my older DS and am doing it this weekend with my 9 month old. He'll go back. Just make sure you pump regularly!!!

[tashntim]

I was once away from my son for a week (and no pump) and he picked it right back up when I got back. He was 19 months at the time.

[gdiamante]

I used to travel for business ten days at a time. No problems. The biggest issue you face is being able to stop and pump every couple of hours.

[aehanrahan]

If I had to stop every couple hours, I would much rather nurse than pump.
You're going to need to do one or the other every 2-3 hours anyway.