Breastfeeding and Vacation

When my twins were 4 months old I went on a three day vacation--flew across the country to San Francisco. They had started day care about 2 months before that so they were on a bottle during the day, but only breast milk and they nursed at all other times. They were just fine upon my return... traveling with a pump wasn't the easiest, but it was much easier than traveling with 2 babies (and probably easier than traveling with one baby)! Obviously it's ultimately up to you and the type of vacation you're taking, but it might be good for you to take a break from the baby!

It sounds like a very personal choice... I would just take him with you so you don't have to be uncomfortable the whole time you are gone and put your son through the experience of missing his mama! Hopefully you will still feel like you had a good time if you bring him. I'm still waiting for the day I can take a vacation with no kids, and my son is a 13 month old breastfeeder. Even if he wasn't breastfeeding still, 4 days seems like a long time to be gone.

In my opinion: TAKE HIM WITH!

We took our daughter on a cruise with us when she was 9 months old. I was planning on breastfeeding but my milk had dried up at 6 months so we had to bottle feed. Kind of a pain..... But she did great. It was so wonderful to have her with us.

When our son was about 6 1/2 months old (daughter was almost 3) we took another cruise. I was EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding him too. (Also did till a little over 9 months, then started a little babyfood and table food but continued bf till 18 months.) IT WAS GREAT! So easy to feed him any time, Any where! He was a joy to have along. Both kids were so much fun to take with and very easy to travel with.....

It would be a VERY likely thing that he would wean himself if you were to leave for 4 days. If you are not ready, definitely take him along. And pumping is such a pain, especially on vacation. We were able to do everything we wanted to on our cruises with our kids. I just couldn't imagine leaving them behind.......I don't think I'd be able to enjoy myself because I'd be worrying about them the whole time.......

Hi M.,
I breastfed both of my kids for a long time. I took a 1 night, 1 day trip when my son was 14 months. He was fine when we returned. I was nursing him mainly at naptime and bedtime. Later, after my daughter was born we took a 3 day, 2 night trip. She was 8 1/2 months. I pumped alot before hand so my mil had enough milk for her. At that time she was getting a fruit or a veggie in the afternoon with her cereal. I pumped while we were gone. I had an electric Medela. It worked out well. I was pumping about every 3-4 hours.

We we returned, she was ready to nurse. She didn't have a problem at all. You could have the sitter feed her from a sippy cup if you are worried about the bottle nipple. Or even just a regular cup. Yes, they can drink out of a regular small cup! (When my son was 12 hours old the nurse made me give my son 2oz of formula because he hadn't urinated yet. She gave it to him out of a cup...so it does work. If he had been my 2nd i would have told the nurse to get out!)

If you decide to take him with you breastfeeding will work great. We've taken many trips when the kids were babies. You can pull over anywhere and nurse them.

Have a great time on your vacation. It is always good for Mommy to get recharged!
L.

He'll be OK when you return.

I had to go on a week-long business trip when our son was 4.5 months old. I took my pump and made sure to keep up on it (yes, it stinks to have to do it). But, that's the only way you're going to be able to keep your supply sufficient (and prevent yourself from drying-up).

Depending on how old heis, I'd recommend taking him. I don't like to be apart from my kids. It will put a damper on romance, but that would be my personal preference.

Good morning M. K,
Just wanted to share my experience with you. I did do a 5 day 4 night trip away from my then 9 and half month old. I have been pumping while I work so she gets her milk with the baby sitter. But I don't fly much so on this trip I didn't take my electric pump OUCH!! Definitely keep up the pumping dry out not so much a worry having not removed the milk can be a pain, not pain but I got engorged. But right when I got back she was ready to nurse she had to wait I took shower than she got back to nursing. Since than been on one more trip and went fine. Babies know what mom is their for. When mom is their baby will nurse when mom is out baby will drink from a cup.
Do not be scared to leave him if you need to give it a try for one night see how it feels, sometimes mom needs her time to. Remember take care of yourself so you can take care of your family. Good luck! And awsome job with the exclusively breastfeeding!

If you must take a vacation, take him with. It wouldn't be much of a vacation if you were worried the whole time about your 9 month-old being alright not having you for four straight days. I remember when my little ones were that age, and the thought of leaving them for even one night was terrifying...I can't imagine spending so much time away from such a little one. I mean, what do you do if they turn out not to be alright with being without you? Come back home early? I don't know, I mean, these are just the things that come to mind in response to your question. It just seems to me that at that exact age, the babies are in their separation anxiety phase and they are emotionally a lot more needy of us.