Leaving LO for the weekend, how much EBM?

[TXmom2]

I have tried to avoid it but I will be leaving my 4 mo. old DD for the weekend.
well...Friday aft. through Sun. aft.
She is basically EBF (with only an occasional bottle) so I need to know how much EBM I'll need to leave with my mom while away. She will take a bottle of EBM with no problems. I usually put 3-4 oz in them, sometimes she takes only 2-3 oz. and sometimes she finishes 4 oz. and wants a little more..
I am freezing bags of EBM for her to use. Most of them are in 3, 3.5 and 4 oz servings. Should I make more 1-2 oz. bags for use when she seems more hungry? Especially for the first morning feed and her bedtime feeding?

She currently sleeps 6-8 hours at night. She wakes and we co-sleep and nurse off & on for about 1-3 hours. Then she nurses about every 2-3 hrs throughout the day, with another 1-3 hour nursing session in the evening before bed.
How much EBM should I plan on her needing while I'm gone?

I hope we can do only EBM because while she will take formula, I'd prefer her not to have it (it causes more gas & spitting up)

I'm dreading this trip but hoping it flies by. I will, of course, be pumping while away. Every 3 hours should be fine, right?
p.s. This is a trial for another upcoming trip (in 3 wks) that will be for 4 1/2 days I am hoping DD has no trouble returning to the breast. If so, I am still working on convincing my mom to come on the 2nd trip with me so she can watch DD!

anyone btdt? Got any tips?

[busymama77]

I'm gonna be right there with you when we go to a wedding in May of next year. I'm still unsure if I'm going to bring DS w/ me and invite my Mom to come so that she can watch DS while we're at the reception. I have NO clue at this point how much I'll need to set aside as far as EBM goes - I'll burn that bridge when I come to it.

Good luck to you, mama!

[Quinalla]

From kellymom:

"The research tells us that exclusively breastfed babies take in an average of 25 oz (750 mL) per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk; a typical range of milk intakes is 19-30 oz per day (570-900 mL per day). "

That should give you a starting point hopefully!

[cdmommie]

in my experience the "2.5 ounces per pound of body weight" rule generally works pretty well.

[TXmom2]

Thanks ladies :)

ok. so i have 15 bags of frozen EBM so far, another 5 or so should be enough for this weekend. (each is 3.5-4 oz) and I'll make a few 1-2 oz for when needed

The big issue is the upcoming trip (in 3 wks)...how am I going to get enough stored for almost 5 days??? I am pumping a few times a day right now, which usually yields about 7 oz per day. That, combined with the amount I pump over this weekend and I'm afraid I'll still fall short. I'm trying very hard to get my mom to come with us but she just keeps saying she really doesn't want to and DD will be fine with formula (yuck) while I'm gone It's not only the EBM I'm worried about...What if DD refuses the breast when I return? What if my supply drops (again) while only pumping? grr..... I wish I could convince my mom to go...

[haydn'smommy]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

ok. so i have 15 bags of frozen EBM so far, another 5 or so should be enough for this weekend. (each is 3.5-4 oz) and I'll make a few 1-2 oz for when needed

The big issue is the upcoming trip (in 3 wks)...how am I going to get enough stored for almost 5 days??? I am pumping a few times a day right now, which usually yields about 7 oz per day. That, combined with the amount I pump over this weekend and I'm afraid I'll still fall short. I'm trying very hard to get my mom to come with us but she just keeps saying she really doesn't want to and DD will be fine with formula (yuck) while I'm gone It's not only the EBM I'm worried about...What if DD refuses the breast when I return? What if my supply drops (again) while only pumping? grr..... I wish I could convince my mom to go...

Can you add a pumping session in in the middle of the night? Prolactin levels are highest then and your supply should be higher. A few nights of extra pumping should increase your supply and you can add more to your stash. I pump around 5 oz at night with 1-2 pumpings while Emery eats on the other side.

[hotharmony]

Also to keep you milk supply up I would strongly suggest pumping every 2 hours. It's totally different expressly pumping rather than feeding a baby and you will probably find you are getting full at time you normal feed.

I wouldn't leave the baby at that age.

[Megan73]

The 2.5 ounces per pound rule is for formula-fed babies.
I'd go with Kellymom.com which a PP suggested. Here's the link:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

ok. so i have 15 bags of frozen EBM so far, another 5 or so should be enough for this weekend. (each is 3.5-4 oz) and I'll make a few 1-2 oz for when needed

The big issue is the upcoming trip (in 3 wks)...how am I going to get enough stored for almost 5 days??? I am pumping a few times a day right now, which usually yields about 7 oz per day. That, combined with the amount I pump over this weekend and I'm afraid I'll still fall short. I'm trying very hard to get my mom to come with us but she just keeps saying she really doesn't want to and DD will be fine with formula (yuck) while I'm gone It's not only the EBM I'm worried about...What if DD refuses the breast when I return? What if my supply drops (again) while only pumping? grr..... I wish I could convince my mom to go...

While you're away and pumping for 2 days you should be able to get enough for AT LEASE 2 days since you'll be pumping for missed feedings. So that leaves 2 1/2 days to make up for right? Make sure to pump at night while you're away as well, and when you get home, pump on one breast while nursing her at the other. That was always the easiest way for me to build a stash. Make sure to drink water at every pumping and nursing session as well since you're asking your body to do more than it normally does.

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by moondiapers

Make sure to pump at night while you're away as well, and when you get home, pump on one breast while nursing her at the other. That was always the easiest way for me to build a stash. Make sure to drink water at every pumping and nursing session as well since you're asking your body to do more than it normally does.

thank you, but one question....
how do you manage to pump while feeding? My DD is such a little squirmy thing just wondering how that will work?

I would rather not leave her (still working on getting mom to go), but if I have to I want to do the best I can

[MamaMelis]

I left my exclusively breastfed baby for 4 days when she was 6.5 months old and we had no issues with supply, she latched right back on like the greedy little bugger that she is as soon as I came home and we are still going strong at 19 months. Don't fret, you can do it, it will just take some work.

Are you going to be able to save everything that you pump this weekend while away? That should give you a great headstart towards your later, longer trip. I was so paranoid about leaving enough I left 300 oz (4 4 days) and she only ate about 110, LOL

I found that I got the most pumping when I pumped first thing in the AM. If you want to try to up your supply use fennugreek, mothers milk tea, or oatmeal. Drink copious amounts of water. Above all, try to stay relaxed as tension can hurt your supply.

Good luck!

[rachandlily]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

thank you, but one question....
how do you manage to pump while feeding? My DD is such a little squirmy thing just wondering how that will work?

I would rather not leave her (still working on getting mom to go), but if I have to I want to do the best I can

Yes, I'm wondering the same thing!....my 9 month old DD will be VERY distracted by a pump while she's nursing. (I'm also trying to build my stash for my first weekend away (girls only hot springs trip, yeah!!).)

[haydn'smommy]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

thank you, but one question....
how do you manage to pump while feeding? My DD is such a little squirmy thing just wondering how that will work?

I would rather not leave her (still working on getting mom to go), but if I have to I want to do the best I can

I use a hand pump and do it when I feed him in the middle of the night. He sleeps through a lot of that feed and is very still then.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

thank you, but one question....
how do you manage to pump while feeding? My DD is such a little squirmy thing just wondering how that will work?

I would rather not leave her (still working on getting mom to go), but if I have to I want to do the best I can

Well, if you need two hands to nurse your babe (assuming you have an electric pump) you can sew hooks (like on the back of your bra) at the 3 pts of the triangle of your bra. Then put 3 rubber bands around the horn of your pump.....put the pump to the boob.....hold it there while attaching one rubberband to each of the hooks you've sewn on. Voila, hands free pumping I did this so I could pump hands free at work when DS was little. I'd lock my office door and keep right on with my book keeping duties. This way I didn't have to give up my lunch break to pumpin.

After you have the pump hooked up and turned on you'll have both hands free to hold the baby to the other breast.

[laurelg]

If you don't mind me asking, what are you going for? What will the schedule be like?

If it's possible, I would pump more often than every 3 hours, and definitely pump at least once overnight.

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by laurelg

If you don't mind me asking, what are you going for? What will the schedule be like?

If it's possible, I would pump more often than every 3 hours, and definitely pump at least once overnight.

my DH and I both play Ice Hockey and we have tournaments these weekends. I was planning to bring DD but the babysitter backed out, so that leaves my mom who is reluctant to come along
There are only 4 games this weekend with the rest of the time mostly free, so that will leave lots of extra time to pump. I'll pump as often as I can.
I can save whatever I pump this trip to use for the next trip so that will help. I'm still holding out hope that mom will come along for the longer trip :fingers crossed:

[laurelg]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

my DH and I both play Ice Hockey and we have tournaments these weekends. I was planning to bring DD but the babysitter backed out, so that leaves my mom who is reluctant to come along
There are only 4 games this weekend with the rest of the time mostly free, so that will leave lots of extra time to pump. I'll pump as often as I can.
I can save whatever I pump this trip to use for the next trip so that will help. I'm still holding out hope that mom will come along for the longer trip :fingers crossed:

Are you and your husband on the same team/playing at the same time? If not, couldn't you bring DD and just have the non-playing parent watch her?

Alternatively, are there any family/friends of teammates or people on other teams you'd be comfortable having watch DD during the games? Maybe you can set somebody up with a sling/wrap. We use silicone earplugs for DD when we go to sporting events, and they seem to work well.

Just throwing out some ideas you may not have considered!

[Altair]

I'm not trying to talk you out of anything-- but at that age it very well could mean your baby refuses to nurse afterwards. Is a sporting event really worth never being able to breastfeed again? Please, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. But it would scare the crap out me me.

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by laurelg

Are you and your husband on the same team/playing at the same time? If not, couldn't you bring DD and just have the non-playing parent watch her?

Alternatively, are there any family/friends of teammates or people on other teams you'd be comfortable having watch DD during the games? Maybe you can set somebody up with a sling/wrap. We use silicone earplugs for DD when we go to sporting events, and they seem to work well.

Just throwing out some ideas you may not have considered!

We are playing on the same team. The sitter that was supposed to come is the mother of a teammate...she decided not to go.
I'm also working on the alternate idea for the second trip in a few weeks if my mom won't go. I'm still trying to decide if I'm ok with taking her to Vegas but I'd rather have her there than leave her for 4 days.

[laurelg]

I would ask around again (and by "ask" I mean "beg" ) to find out if anyone at all has a husband/parent/sibling/child who can come along and hang onto your LO during the game.

I share Altair's concerns/sentiments.