The Nursing Baby - Q&A

Lynne asks:
I have been breastfeeding exclusively for 10 months now. I am planning a much needed break from my husband and baby, but am worried about my milk supply. I will be gone for only a weekend, but I have no way to pump nor store my milk. Will I still have milk for my baby when I return?

Lynne, you should be able to express by hand any discomfort you have. You might consider brining along a manual pump, and pumping the # of times you normally nurse in order to keep your milk supply up.

If you let your supply drop, however, chances are pretty good that your baby can bring it back for you just by allowing your baby to nurse as much as he/she needs to when you return.

A potentially bigger concern is that baby will wean while you are gone, and reject the breast when you return. This is more likely if your baby nurses 3 or fewer times per day, and more likely if you offer supplemental bottles on a regular basis. It happens less often than moms think however. Many moms take a weekend apart to "wean" and find baby remembers what to do "just fine, thank you!" when they return!

I hope your weekend is terrific, and Happy Nursing!
These tips are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.

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