awww~ I can not believe

massagegirly

my baby is three months old already! I am just so in love with her. She is starting to giggle and smile so much. She has been sleeping through the night since she has been 4 weeks old. She is such a wonderful happy baby!

My milk suppy is as good as it is going to get and I am happy that I have been able to continute breast feeding as long as I have. I would love to BF until one year. I am nervous my milk supply is going to tank when we go on our cruise in April. We are going with out the kids so I obvioulsly will not be breast feeding. Do you think pumping for that week that I will be away will keep my milk up or do you think not BF is going to dry me up? The doc thinks I will dry up since my milk suppy has always been low. She thinks I should just plan on formula feeding after the cruise. This makes me not want to go on vacation at all. Hailey will be 6 months old when we go if that matters. What should I do?

massagegirly

Ok after reading that it made me sound silly! I should just pump the whole time I am on the cruise and at least try and keep my milk supply up! Ok nevermind. Sorry

sunmountain

Well, I left DS at 7 months for 4 days and pumped the whole time, it was not the highlight of the trip for sure and not sure the trip was worth it. On the plane to the east coast, in the hotel between activities, in the airport,  was pumping and pumping it just sucked because I dumped as well. I was also engorged b/c I just couldn't pump at the same rate or volume as DS ate. BUT I was totally commited to continuing BF DS. I came home and everything was fine, but my supply has always been good. I also had to pump in advance of being gone for about 6 weeks to leave with his grandparents, that also sucked. I also missed him terribly and really don't think I would have lasted a week - it's just not fun wherever you are when you miss such huge part of who you are now. I don't know that I would do it again, I just think it was Rookie thinking for me. The first year is just totally dedicated to being with the baby - a weekend...totally fine and VERY doable but more than 3-4 days is really pushing it at least for me in the whole feeding thing and just being away from DS. I had to realize I am not just married anymore and can travel whenever, I am a mom, my life has changed. This is just my experience. I think keeping your supply up to BF DD for as long as possible is the most important thing. Again my opinon from experience and sharing because I seriously thought it wouldn't be a big deal and I needed the break. I did but I should have done it a) closer to home and b) shorter time period.  Sorry to be Debbie Downer...but ultimately if you just keep pumping on the trip, that is a great effort and the best you can do and do try to stay busy and have fun!

scarletii

Hey Katia!  I would pump as much as you can while you are away!  When you get back, take fenugreek and pump after feedings so that you can increase your supply.  And feed her as much as possible when you get back.  Call an LC if you need to.  Most doctors are not authorities when it comes to BFing as they get most of their info from the formula companies.  Maybe you can talk to someone on the cruise and see if you can have your breastmilk frozen.  I'd hate for all that breastmilk to just get tossed!  It's like liquid gold! 

JRS72206

If you pump, pump, pump you shouldn't just dry up. Like Susan said you can always get back on track when you get home. Also have some mothers milk tea on hand. Have a fun trip!

MrsHeidiR

I agree, if you keep pumping you should be okay.  It sounds like it is important to you so do what you can.  If it doesn't work, then at least you know you tried.

I just want to respond to the other post in regards to the long vacation.  I totally understand that coming from a first time Mom.  But I also think that as you have older children, you gain more perspective that you aren't just a Mom and keeping the balance of wife, mother, and woman is extremely important.  It will be great and you will need the break.  Those kinds of breaks strengthens your marriage and you as a mother because you refuel.  I'm guessing you know this, but I thought it was worthy of a different perspective. ;0)