Two Nights Away from Breastfeeding 1 Year Old

She hasn't needed the mid-night feeding since she was 9 months - so give her a sippy or bottle of water at 4am ( better for her teeth anyway) and she will probably opt to sleep through after a few nights. Worked great for my niece ;) She may cry for 5-15 minutes for a week or so but will eventually take the hint - have Daddy go to her since she knows by now he doesn't have the equipment for breastmilk ;) This 3 day weekend is a great time to sleep train her!

formula will probably not go over well if she's never had it ... I would say breastmilk at bedtime and in am but make the 4am feeding either water or even intro milk this week and see what happens... I started with goat's milk from 1-2 with my girls and it was a smoother transition with less issues and from what I hear a more similar taste to breastmilk. My daughter goes back and forth still at 20 months ... good luck and enjoy the time, she'll be fine

I'm a peer counselor with Nursing Mothers Counsel (Bay Area, CA), and I get this question every once in a while. While it's true that you really don't know how everyone's going to react until you're in the middle of the time away, there are some things you can decide ahead of time.

Since your daughter is over 1, she does NOT need formula. It's recommended that she have whole milk, but you can definitely pump breast milk to leave with your husband in your absence. This will accomplish two things: your daughter will still have your milk while you're gone, and you won't have to introduce a different taste during a potentially stressful situation. If you decide to pump your milk, you can go to http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html to estimate how much breast milk per day your daughter may drink. It's actually a cool little calculator that's relatively accurate.

I heartily recommend storing in breast milk bags (Gerber, Medela, Lansinoh, etc) because they are easier to keep cold and easier to freeze and thaw if that's what you decide to do. They also take up less space and are WAY easier and quicker to warm. I can heat 2oz of frozen milk in about 2 minutes, depending on the temperature of the water in the cup I'm using. You just put warm-hot water in a cup, and put the bag in the water, and VOILA!

You can also go to http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html regarding milk storage guidelines, but fresh milk is good in the fridge (or kept cold) for 7-8 days, so you may not even have to freeze it. If you freeze it, it's only good in the fridge for 24 hours after being thawed or 4 hours at room temperature. Depending on what time your husband goes to bed, he could potentially take a bottle of previously thawed milk to bed with him and have it pretty much ready for her 4am snack.

Another thing you need to decide is how long you want to continue to breastfeed. If you'd like to continue indefinitely (or have a certain age you're striving for... say 2), you'll need to stimulate your breasts while you're away. Most women use a pump for efficiency and ease, but you could also hand express. Even if you're ok with your daughter weaning at this point (which may happen after 3 days), you'll need some kind of stimulation to help you avoid engorgement. You can definitely hand express for this purpose.

Regardless of your breastfeeding goal, the milk that you pump/express while you're away can be kept cold in a cooler with ice or a fridge (preferable). If you're flying, this expressed milk will need to be "declared" when you go through security, but breast milk is not included in the 4oz rule.

I second the notion of the cup instead of the bottle if she's never had one before. If she has, stick with what she's familiar with. Maybe even let dad give her a bottle for her bedtime a couple times before you leave or a couple for her first in the morning. You could use this time to pump and store.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at ____@____.com, and I'll do my best to answer them. Enjoy your time away, and treasure the time you have with your family :)

First, there is NO magic number about 1 year old, hon. The average age of breastfeeding around the world is much higher. I left my first pediatrician rather than suddenly change something both my daughter and I loved when he suggested that since she was about to have her first birthday I was supposed to wean her. There is great benefit, both to your child and continuing benefit to your own state of mind and body, if you continue until your child decides to self-wean.
And yes, those middle of the night, first thing in the morning, and bedtime "snuggles and a snack" are the most important and last to go. Also any time you are in a situation where your child is nervous or upset, hurt or just sleepy, your continued breastfeeding relationship will help her through those times. All of these happen a LOT during the toddler period, and there is nothing wrong and everything right with continuing to have your beautiful and nurturing breast available to help her through the situation. She also continues to get all the nutrients her changing and growing body might not get through the rather sporadic ventures into solid foods, continues to have your natural immunities protecting her as she gets more social, and just continues to have that incredible soft and sweet bond with you in a time where developmentally she really needs it.

Going away for a night or two isn't all that hard, though. She IS past the point where she will starve if she doesn't get to nurse, but yes, it's much easier for both you and her if you pump, and freeze your milk in bottles for her. You might try doing this a few days in advance, since you haven't yet ever done it--just to get her used to it. Be sure to have daddy offer her bottles as well, though maybe you first. Go through a practice run or two with him on how to get the bottle heated up as quickly as possible too, so he doesn't have to figure it all out while she is crying in the middle of the night. Just have everything ready to go--a warming pot on the stove with water in it ready to go. It only takes a few minutes.

Remember to take your pumping supplies with you while you are gone, too. You don't want to get engorged--even if you don't anymore when you are nursing her regularly, you will if you don't pump over two days. That engorgement is one of the things that lowers your milk supply, so you don't want to signal that to your body yet.

Have a lovely trip!

Everyone has given great advice. I recently spent 2 nights away from my 10 month old, breastfed baby, and I understand how worrisome it is. Your baby will be fine! I was so worried that without me, my son wouldn't be able to go back to sleep etc, and honestly, he did GREAT. No problems. So don't worry! Enjoy being able to sleep all night long, and don't feel guilty about it :)

Be sure to pump while you're away, too. Even if you don't use the milk you pump while you're away, you'll relieve the pressure and also make sure to keep your production up for when you return home.

I hope this helps!

I agree with Theresa- pump for a bit beforehand and let daddy feed her BEFORE you leave, so she can get used to it a bit and also realize that she'll still get to breastfeed later even if she has a bottle now.
Start pumping for your trip a few days beforehand- your milk should then be good to just keep in the fridge for those couple days and cut out precious "thaw time" for the middle of the night feedings.
Good luck, I think its awesome that you're still breastfeeding- and I'm sure your darling daughter agrees! :)
Oh yeah, make sure you pump on your trip to keep your milk up! :)

Hi! You don't actually have to freeze the milk, or if you do, you can let it thaw in the fridge and it will still be usable for a few days, so the warm-up time should be minimal. She might even drink it cold if you get her used to it first. If you are inclined to use formula, definitely let her try it before you go, as she might hate it!

As an aside, someone said that breastfeeding at night will cause tooth decay, but actually the evidence is to the contrary. You probably already knew that, but check kellymom.com for details. As long as you clean her teeth before bed to get rid of any food residue, breast milk at night is fine.

I hope your trip goes well!

If she is one she does not need night feedings, in fact it could very well rot her teeth. I would ween her off it by letting her have water if she wakes. That will also solve the problem of what to do while you are away.

My suggestion is to pump enough to be frozen and he can set the clock about 5 min prior to her normal waking up..he can then warm the milk and use a bottle that way its not really taking away from the nipple part of the breast. That is what she is more use too and going from that to a sippy prob would make a huge problem. Good luck!!

The funny think is you will never know how she will react until you are gone. I would pump some milk to be on the safe side. She may be o.k. with hubby and take the formula and you won't have to worry anymore and you can actually wean her if you want to but sometimes they just know Daddy doesn't have the milk and they hold out until you get home. Make sure you bring your pump with you if you want to feed when you get back.

This is a bit late, but hopefully it's not too late!

You're definitely going to want to give her milk while you're gone - she needs that nutrition! If she's never had cow's milk and you'd like to go that route, try it now to see if she'll drink it.

Take N Toss makes great cups with straws that, while not completely leak proof, do a pretty darn good job of minimizing spills for a supervised toddler. My 19 m old would never take a bottle, so I just nursed her but we offered pumped milk in a regular cup (while she sat in her high chair) from about 4 months old so that if I had to be gone we could get food into her. Now we use a sippy cup for water so she's got it available whenever she's thirsty during the day, but if she asks for milk (she enjoys cow's milk as well as Mommy milk) we give it to her in a Take N Toss cup with a straw.

She has ALWAYS been nursed just before naps and bedtime. On the few occasions that my husband has had to put her down for a nap, he's just offered her a Take N Toss cup with cow's milk at the point when I would nurse her. Occasionally it takes her a teensy bit longer to settle down in her crib, but she usually goes right to sleep.

Admittedly, we are amazingly fortunate in that she is a very easygoing baby, but a lot of this is because we stick to a consistent routine and keep her sleep times constant. Make sure your husband is familiar with her schedule, and you should be just fine. Maybe also see if he can take the day you return off from work so he can sleep if things are a little rough. But it's only two days - it'll probably be tougher for you than it will be for her! :)

Give her bottles NOW.
Buy several types and try it. And have your Husband give it.

Babies/ kids often do not take "milk" from a sippy.

YES, pump pump pump and freeze. To build a supply of it.

ALSO try giving her the pumped milk already... she may or may not reject it. Have your Husband, give it to her.

Formula is fine at her age, to supplement. But she may or may not like it.

At her age, is she drinking regular whole milk?

Write down anything about your daughter's "routine/habits" that he needs to know for day and night. "Men" sometimes forget... or don't even know themselves.
HAVE your Husband start "practicing" those routines already. SO that your daughter is ALSO used to "him" doing it.
Plan ahead... prep ahead.

I nursed my daughter until she self-weaned at about 2.5 years old.

Next, you can keep a couple bottles of warmed milk for her at night... in an insulated bag... or in a Thermos... to keep it warmed. So get a Thermos too.

all the best,
Susan

I have 3 kids. They have all been breastfed and then had some formula when I had to stop at 9 months, 7 months and I am still nursing the 8 month old. My baby right now gets formula sometimes. Go with formula. I do it bc I have 3 kids. If it is no trouble- then pump. But formula is fine. Try one. And don't give up. Try it 3-10x. I have used Nestle and Similac Advance-- for 2 diff kids. Ask your pediatrician. They give great advice.
Also-- get her off the 4am snack. My pediatrician said that late night or super early feeding is like giving them a hamburger and they get used to it. Good luck.

my little breast-feeder would not take a bottle from anyone until we discovered "breast flow" bottles (available at babies r us). supposedly, they mimic the breast best. i've had to be away from him a few nights here and there, and he did fine with pumped milk that i had frozen. his grandma found it easiest to have the milk for late night feedings already thawing in the bottle in the fridge at bedtime, then she could just warm it in a mug of hot water when he needed it latenight. the hardest part for us nursing mommies is realizing they'll do fine without us :)

If I am understanding your question correctly, your daughter is already a year old, in which case, I would not bother with the formula- just use milk. My daughter nursed until she was about 2 and a half, but it was only a night (bedtime), so my experience is a bit different than yours. When I was away at night, she went to sleep fine without me. If your main concern is her reaction to your being gone, I say go cold turkey! (I mean that in the nicest possible way.) Maybe without you there, she won't be as worked up as you think? It is only two nights, and she will be fine (though probably a little needy for the day you come back). If she hasn't taken a bottle of milk before, I wouldn't introduce that: use a cup.

Good luck with your decision!

Pump enough for the night wakings. I would be more worried if she is using the breast for comfort rather than food. In that case, the first night of withdrawal might be hard. Your husband will find his way to cuddle her back to sleep. Get your husband prepared a night while you are there to get them accustomed to the idea and see what happens BEFORE you actually have to leave for the 2 days.

I breastfed my daughter for 14.5 months. I wanted to go longer, but my milk dried up. I know that doctors say not to give bottles past one year, but since it is only temporary I see no problem with it at all. Pump as much as you can and have your husband do a couple trial feedings of breast milk in a bottle before you leave. I have found that the wide bottles are the most similar to the breast and are received better by nursing babies.

Have you already tried formula with her? We tried the toddler formula and whole milk with my daughter when she turned a year but she would not have anything to do with those or any other type of milk until she was 15.5 months and she only took whole milk at that. If you haven't tried it, definitely make sure to do that long before you leave.

And as someone else already said (and you may have already known), pump as often as possible while you are away to keep up the stimulation even if you don't keep the milk. I would pump more often than your daughter nurses if you have the time, because even the best pumps can't always pull as much milk out as your baby can. The more stimulation the better.

Good luck and I hope it works out well for all three of you!

You have gotten great responses andbi just want to suggest slerpingnin the guest room orblubing room one night before the big weekend do you can see how dad and baby do. I gave had two weekends recently andbi had no stress as I have seen my partner do really well resettling the baby in the night. Also my milk supply was unaffected each time with no pumping, but I gave slwsys had a robust supply. Enjoy you time away!

start by offering her bottles now, the separation will be extreme if you dont introduce them now.

i breastfeed my almost two year old the exact way as you do now