Nervous about upcoming trip...

[JHopesMomma]

My boss' boss is sending me on an 8-day trip in about 6 weeks, and this will be the first time I've been away from DD (she just turned 1). She's still nursing, and I'm still pumping at work 2x a day. We've given her cow's milk, and she takes it well, so I was thinking about cutting back on pumping during the day so by the time I go on my trip she's taking cow's milk at daycare and nursing at home. That way if we run out of our freezer stash it's not a big panic. I have a good freezer stash, but I think I'm more concerned about her weaning while I'm gone and then not being interested when I get back. I'm also worried because she has separation anxiety, and sometimes even DH can't get her calmed down.

Not going on the trip (my preferred option...) isn't really an option, since I've already asked not to go on about 3-4 trips since returning to work. It's my time to go, unfortunately. Any other working mommas that have been through this before? Just looking for some words of wisdom and encouragement! Thanks .

[Hannah'sMommy]

I'm also curious to see how other moms have done this. My boss wants to send me on a trip when our DD is about 1 year (she's 7 months now). I'm dreading the day and really don't want to leave her for a week! I wish I had words of encouragement for you, but it looks like it won't be long before I'm in the same spot as you!

[JHopesMomma]

Yeah...I'm still considering backing out of this, but my DH isn't being too supportive of me. He's saying I should go and this will be a good trip for me. Not what I want to hear right now! Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes if I do go .

[AllisonR]

BTDT. I went on a 5 day business trip when DD was 12 or 13 months. Biggest thing to rememeber is their time frame is totally off. You are not there. And then suddenly you are there again. They aren't thinking WHEN will she be back, it's been xyz days.... makes it easier imo.

First, she has always had an excelent relationship with DH, at that age he was just like me except no boobs. So if I was there, she always wanted me, and complained if she couldn't have me. But if I wasn't physically there at all, she just knew there was no use in complaining for me, and accepted DH. Hard to explain.

2nd, I had cut down a bit before the trip, so most BF was at night, once in morning, rest of day was milk in a cup. Totally skipped the bottle.

3rd, I expressed while I was gone. When I came back, she took me back, and my boobs.

4th, Two weeks later I went on a second 1 week business trip. This time I came back and she asked for me, but not my boobs.

[~pi]

The first trip is hard.

My first trip away from DS, I was really worried, especially re: weaning, but I think he had already made the association that when mama is there, there is nursing, and when she isn't, there isn't. Simple.

When I returned, he started right back up, no problems. He was a little older (closer to 2) but I now travel a lot and have talked to more traveling moms, many of whom have had similar experiences with much younger babes.

FWIW, my DS is coming up on 4, I now travel a minimum of a week a month, and he is still happily nursing. He tells me he misses nursing when I am not there, but that it's OK.

Especially since it sounds like the trip is fairly non-optional, I'll just say, try not to worry too much. You and she will almost certainly be fine. Good luck!

P.S. I recommend a video chat if you can manage it. (We Skype every night before bed when I am away.) I don't know if a one year old will get it, but just something you might want to consider.

[JHopesMomma]

Thanks for your responses, mamas! I feel better about going away now . We do have webcams, and my husband was just away for a week and DD really seemed to enjoy seeing him on it. I didn't think she would make the connection that that was Daddy, but she pointed and said Dada!