Community› The Bump Message Boards› Attachment Parenting
Attachment Parenting
New Discussion

Could be the end of extended BF...getting nervous

Ginlyn0Ginlyn0 member
in Attachment Parenting

Next Monday, I am going out of state with my DD and my stepdaughter for 6 days. Currently, DS is 25 months and still nurses at night, sometimes in the middle of the night and sometimes in the morning. This will be the longest I have been away from him (I've spend 1 weekend away before). I'm anticipating that either I will dry up while gone (I am not carrying a pump with me) or that DS will not need to nurse when I return. He will be home with DH and I am just really nervous about how he will be with me being gone for so long and also whether or not it's the end of nursing. Part of me is ready for the end but part of me is not. I guess that's why I'm sort of leaving it to chance. I figure if I need I can hand express some in the shower.

Anyone go through something similar?

DD(14),SD(13),SS(11),SS(9),DS(3)

Report Reply to Post

Re: Could be the end of extended BF...getting nervous

  • SchroederMommy2TwoSchroederMommy2Two
    It's really hard to stop breastfeeding, it's such a bonding thing! My son was 21 months old when I went out of state for a weekend, I actually got extremely engorged and it really was horrible, but then when I came home he didn't have any interest in nursing at all! I think it's ok either way, whatever fate decides. I have found so many other great bonding activities since ending nursing, that ending the breastfeeding was ok in the end.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Meg&JesseMeg&Jesse
    DS self weaned at 22 months.  Around 20 months he went on a nursing strike and I continued to pump. After a week he started nursing again, but not as much.  I'll be honest (because I wish I knew this back then) the hormone changes were really hard for me.  DS did just fine (he was the one who weaned), I struggled.  It was a combination of the actual hormones changing, knowing the nursing bond was over, and knowing my little boy was growing up and making his own decisions.  Good luck.  I think it is great that you are looking ahead and preparing yourself. 
    Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • jolynn326jolynn326 member
    I can understand your nerves... My OB just recommended I wean before TTC again, and the thought freaks me out. Hopefully whatever happens is smooth and peaceful for you both!
    BFP #1 6/3/10 | EDD 2/5/11 | Noelle born 1/28/11
    BFP #2 12/20/11 | EDD 8/24/12 | Natural M/C 12/22/11
    BFP #3 5/13/12 (Mother's Day!) | EDD 1/23/13 | Natural M/C 6/9/12 (blighted ovum discovered 6/7/12 at 7w1d)
    "And to think when their little eyes opened, the first thing they saw was the face of Jesus."
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    My Ovulation Chart | My Baby Name List
    Report Reply
  • LouiseB2001LouiseB2001 member

    I specifically weaned DD at 23 months because I was going away for 7 days. We were down to once a day, the morning session. Thinking back I could have gone without having weaned her (like you) and just said no when we got back (I dried up without any pain). But my mom who was looking after her was really nervous that if she wasn't weaned she would be more difficult to take care of. Ironically DD still *loves* my breasts and puts her hand down my shirt saying 'mich' and we talk about how she used to get milk and that babies get milk from there. I don't mind except in public :-)

    That said, I just had a conversation with a colleague who also did EBF and traveled quite a bit. She told me that one of her trips had been that long but that her daughter simply just continued BFing when she got back. It took a day or so but the milk did come back. I think this differs though from person to person if this is even possible.

    Don't beat yourself up, if you feel it is okay to wean (it does give a lot more freedom I must say) then don't go out of your way to keep it up. 25 months is still amazing and you will find other ways of bonding. I really don't feel my relationship with DD has changed one bit.  

    Single mom of DD (2010), TTC #2 since June 2013.
    Occasionally I'm blogging about my life with flybaby.
    Report Reply
  • terri_doula2010terri_doula2010 member

    I went away for a week when DS was 20 months (and I was 7w pregnant). I actually had clogged duct issues that made me seek out cabbage at 11pm, but after 1 night of cabbage I was able to hand express twice a day and I was fine. DS didn't care at all that I was gone and picked up where we left off when I returned home.

    He is weaned now, but that was largely pregnancy related. We made it til he was 25.5 months and I was 6 months pregnant!

    Good luck!

    imageimageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"