Let's talk vacations

OhBaby+2013

Hey ladies, DH and I are trying to decide what kind of vacation we will take in October. Specifically, with or without DS. Has anyone who EBF been away from their LO for a full week? I'm worried about having to pump all the time in order to maintain supply. I'm also worried it would encourage DS to wean early. The thought of a whole week with DH reconnecting sounds awesome, I just want to make sure it is the best choice for us. TIA for your help.

andieb0316

I have no idea about your supply or pumping, but that sounds amazing! I can't wait to take a vacation with DH, probably with DS because we don't live near any family, but a just a vacation in general would be perfect! lol

st.augbride

Dh and I are taking a vacation alone next June. One of the big reasons I'm waiting is because of BFing. I EPed for 14 months with ds and not having to do that now is wonderful (except while at work). I do think you might have a hard time maintaining the same supply level with a week of pumping. Even while I EPed for ds, I had a 3 night trip away and my supply dropped some since it is hard to be as diligent while traveling.

this decaf life

I would probably just go for 3 days, but my pump and I have a terrible relationship.

financialdiva

I think it's awesome that you can and want to get away for 7 days. I don't really have anyone who can watch DS's that long (my parents work FT and are ~45mins away), so the max I can get away is 3 days over a weekend. So we are going away for my bday this fall.

If you are worried about your supply, I would either take a shorter trip or wait until you wean.

OhioLady

I just did 3 days away (ebf), and it is so hard to pump 'round the clock while away from home (i.e. very busy doing vacation-y things).  My supply took a small dive, not terrible, but it took me about a week to get it back up enough to get him though a day daycare (though I'm still trying to get my extra ounces for freezer storage back in).  

Regarding weaning, that's tough.  DS was totally fine after 3 days, but he's a very easy going, adaptable baby (never had any paci, bottle, nipple confusion issues).  A week could be a little long, but I do know of at least one mom who travels monthly for work, and she's had to do a couple week long trips and came home to baby latching just fine.  

(pumpontherun.com is her blog on traveling as an ebf'er)

OhBaby+2013

Thanks. DS has never had any issues either with nipple confusion. I am still on maternity leave so DS is currently still with me all day and generally feeds on demand. I know that once we got home I would be able to put him to breast a lot to increase supply but I'm definitely worried about not wanting to pump so I can enjoy my vacation more! Oh the dilemma!

AllieMag24

We EBF and I just returned from a five night work trip. While it was a little bit stressful to pump the whole time, I had no problems with supply and DD went right back to nursing when I got home. The hardest part was dumping up to 30 ounces a day!

OhBaby+2013

Thanks @alliemag24 did you pump more than you would normally nurse or did you only pump at the same times you would nurse? So in other words, roughly how many times a day did you pump? And yes.....I'm so sad about the idea of dumping!

Jewels02

My DH and I just got back from a 4 night, 5 day trip to Riviera Maya - I pumped on the trip and it was, in all honesty, a PITA! Especially on the travel days in the airports...
My supply was effected a little bit, but DS nursed like normal right when we got back. I'm just trying to nurse him when hungry and I try to get in a extra pump before bed in hopes that it will bring my supply back up.

AllieMag24

I pumped about as much as usual but things were a little different. For example, I normally feed from one side when DD wakes up then just pump both sides a couple of hours later but when I woke up on the trip, I pumped both sides. So I guess I did end up pumping a little more but not much.

The really fun part was pumping on my 10 hour flights!  Luckily I had good seatmates. I considered using the "lavatory" but decided that it was unnecessary. It was really no problem.

OhBaby+2013

Thanks! And glad you had good seat mates, cause that would have sucked to sit on the toilet to pump.