Any tips for my first trip away from LO??

jasi704

I'm going on a business trip this Saturday to Tuesday and I'm trying to prepare as much as I can but I really have no idea what to expect. I'm bringing my pump and a bunch of milk storage bags and ice packs. Called hotel ahead of time to make sure there will be a fridge in my room. I've been pumping fresh milk all week and measuring out prepared bottles because H is an idiot and won't remember how much to feed DS. So yea, there's like 12 bottles in my fridge right now. Gonna make more today and tomorrow morning before I leave. I plan on doing a lot of face timing with H and baby while I'm gone. I'll probably be an emotional wreck. I printed out "guidelines" for H, my mom and MIL since the three of them will be sharing the responsibility, but I'm still freaked out. DS has never gone down for the night without me! I'm so nervous! Ok...anyway...sorry for the rant. But if any of you have gone out of town without LO, fill me in. Any tips? This whole situation is giving me serious anxiety.

[Deleted User]

I was going to suggest typing up the amount of ounces for bottles, when to feed (if dad doesn't know), any medicine amounts (tylenol, gas drops, whatever just in case), pediatrician's number/address (if he doesn't know where it is).  

I would have him handle duties tonight in case he has questions since you will be there to answer.   

I knew DH would be super busy the first work night he was solely responsible for DS.  So I ordered a pizza online and let him know dinner was handled.  He appreciated it more than anything, I think.

CarrieB.

I like to record a video of me singing and reading bedtime stories for DH to play for the kids when I am out of town for work. It backfired last time and just got them both all jazzed up and crazy, but it's worked well before.

DH and I text a lot when I'm gone. It's an easy way to check in without interrupting stuff.

I would reccommend bringing Advil, because as much as I pumped when I was OOT, I couldn't ever feel empty and was really uncomfortable.

Good luck!! You can do it.

rockychryslerb2010

I try not to micromanage DH when I travel.  When E was that age, we had all that info already written down for our nanny and when our moms cared for him.  That being said, beyond making sure DH knew bottle amounts and medicine dosages, I let them do their own thing.  Now, that means probably ordering food one or more nights I'm away and watching movies, but I E loves his daddy nights!

I second pp suggestion, have DH do bedtime tonight so LO gets used to it.  Try not to step in. 

At four months, it will probably be harder on you than LO.  FaceTime or even hearing my voice at that age made him get upset, when otherwise he was fine.  Now we can FaceTime before bed the nights that I'm not going to be home.

Also, try to enjoy.  I remember my first overnight trip post baby, right around 4 months.  I ordered room service and enjoyed a glass or two of wine, and a solid 8 hrs of sleep, uninterrupted.  There is nothing wrong if you find yourself enjoying some time away.

ss265

Rather than ice packs, you can just bring Ziploc bags and fill them with ice at the hotel. Print out the TSA guidelines that breastmilk is a medical liquid and shouldn't go through the X-ray machine - have them hand scan it. Give yourself extra time to get through security because it will take longer to scan the milk - they might open every single bag and wave a strip above it to check for explosives. Pump regularly to avoid getting engorged. Be prepared to pump at the airport (bring a battery pack, nursing cover etc.) in case you are forced to pump due to flight delays.

And enjoy yourself! Your husband will figure things out and have a new appreciation for everything you do with LO. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to prepare.

jasi704

Thanks ladies! You are all right...I just need to have faith in H. He'll probably do some things differently than I would. But he's gotta figure this stuff out and learn his way with the baby. And while I'm gonna miss DS like crazy, I am certainly looking forward to three nights of freedom and maybe even some excessive drinking, haha

[Deleted User]

I skip going out at night on work trips. I prefer to sit in bed, eat room service and drink wine.

It's divine.