Seeking Advice Regarding Stopping B-feeding

From my own experience, it is easier to wean by dropping one feeding at a time. From what you described, I think that the baby will be fine no matter what you do, but it would be better for you to do it as gradually as possible. I would bring the pump with you just in case. With the weaning and the travel stress, the last thing you want is a clugged duct on the road with no pump. good luck!

If I were you, I would bring the pump on the trip just so that you can get some relief if needed. If you don't bring it, you will most likely get real engorged, and that won't be very comfortable - especially considering you are going to be working... You can always stop pumping when you get home again - you will still probably get engorged, but at least you'll be able to deal with the uncomfortableness better when you're in your own home... That's just my opinion ;)

N.,

Depending on how your body reacts and what you really want to do, I would contact a lactation consultant and get some advice. I pumped for about 7 months, and was able to store enough for the full year, while supplementing with formula. But, it's tough and really your heart has to be in it.

When I had to stop, I pumped first thing in the morning and then at lunch and before bed. I made sure I was hydrated and well fed. It's really up to you what you choose to do.

Good Luck!

I don't know when your trip is, but I would drop one feeding/pumping every few days until he is completely weened. This will help prevent engorgement for you (and blocked ducts) and will transition your son off. I dropped the in-between feedings first and then the morning and then night. So, if you breast feed at 8 am, 1 pm, 5 pm and 9 pm, get rid of the middle by feeding at 8 am, 3 pm and 9 pm. In a few days, go to 8 am and 9 pm. A few days later drop the morning, then a few days later the night. That's how I did it and neither I nor my daughter had a problem. Good luck!

even though i would never suggest stopping breastfeeding this early, i know that most babies this young would be pretty upset if you stopped cold turkey, i would suggest a slow weaning.

just because you are leaving for four days doesnt mean that you have to stop breastfeeding completely. if you just wean him down to one or two feedings a day that would not be too many to pump. they say it is best to breastfeed at the very bare minimum six months, but i love it when the doc says a year!
you could still breastfeed when you come back from your trip because the milk doesnt always go away immediately, sometimes it takes a long time for it to dry up. i have even heard of someone who was still lactating after her kids were teenagers, and she never even pumped or anything! bodies can be weird like that.

good luck, i really hope you find the solution that works best for you and your baby!

Great job bf so far. Keep bf as long as possible. Their immune systems are only 60% dev. at 12m. MANY other benefits, read about it and decide. Babies that don't self wean tend to have issues.
Le Leche League has many books you can get from the library... Human milk for human babies, focus on your baby's health.

Rubbing his back and reading stories, anything that simulates the time with you and relaxing that breastfeeding gives. Just be sweet and patient. This is a big deal for him!

Blessings,
Deb

Hi N., I would just stop, no sense in confussing the baby. Plus he's eating other foods, I think he will be just fine. Mine were on cereal at 6 weeks, for 5 months they were eating all strained baby foods except the meat, and by 5 1/2 months I started introducing the cup, by 9 months they were all on one bottle a day and eating 3 meals a day plus baby snacks in between, they are all grown now strong and healthy. Have a safe trip. J. L.

Hi N.,

I stopped at 9 months but, honestly, I think 5 months is sufficient. The baby got what it needed from you and will be just fine. Of course, you can still do one feeding and that should be fine too! However, if you do decide to stop, I think you should still take the pump with you for the trip. Don't forget how uncomfortable it is while you stop your production. You may want it to use before going to bed and maybe in the morning just to make yourself more comfortable. Like, wean yourself... Especially, because you are on a business trip...

That's a great way to do it. I stopped b-feeding my daughter by cutting her down just the same way. It makes it easier on both of you. when you decide to stop just be sure to get him a bottle of food shortly after he's up so that he doesn't get hungry and think of you for food. I hope that helps

If you want to stop before you leave, cut out one breastfeeding session each day and don't pump. If you're not done before you leave on your trip, you may be uncomfortable if you stop abruptly (see the post earlier today from another mom).

I went back to work at 4 months with all 3 of my children. I fed them in the morning and just before bed and then pumped for the first week in the middle of the day. I then cut out the middle of the day pumping and then after a couple of weeks they didn't want the morning feeding and we were down to just the before bedtime feeding. Then in a week or so they were not interested in the bedtime feeding either. This made weaning easier for me and for them. If you can work out something like that, depending on when you leave it might work out well. I would suggest taking the pump on the trip since you may be uncomfortable if you stop all at once and are also trying to work.

Hey mom

i have the same story...first one just loved to bf and i too was able to continue for 11 months. My son tho', broke my heart (smile) and started turning away at 6 months. But i had been weening him with sub. Feedings so i could work......i just quit with no prob. Cause my breast milk was already reduced.....you just dont want to quit if you are still making alot of milk if you are it will be painful and could affect the looks of your breasts after they stop producing milk. So ....with that said if i were you i would just make sure you dont get engorged, if you do, express the milk with pump or in shower a little less each day till they go down.....hope this was helpful and hope i made sence.....L./ houston, ____@____.com, mother of 3