One more week, then cold turkey. Suggestions, please.

[kitokeefe]

My daughter will be 22-1/2 months next week when I will be going on a 1 month business trip 3000 miles away.  I had initially intended on bringing her with me, enrolling her in daycare while her dad stays home.  However, after much deliberation, we decided it was better that she maintains her normal routine and go to her regular daycare (and friends and  caregivers), instead of coming with me in a completely different setting.   She is nursing on average, 3 times a day (morning, night and when we get back home).  I had always intended on starting to wean her 2 and somewhat recently, after working full time since she was 10 weeks (sole income) and waking up 3-4 times a night, I cut out the middle of the night feedings - I was just too tired as I hadn't slept through the night in nearly 2 years. 

I will be leaving on Monday, January 10 and will wean her then. However, she has had a cold the last week and therefore, has pretty much asked for it about 6-8 times a day. What would you suggest are ways to ease the transition between now and then?  Do I let her nurse as much as she wants and just say that in one more week, no more?  Or do I try to get her back down to the 2-3x/day?  Any other advice that will help me deal with this emotionally, the weaning and the separation?

Obviously, this was not the way I had intended on weaning her, but given the circumstances, it is what makes sense for us as a family.  She loves nursing and nowhere close to weaning herself (I don't think she would ever give it up on her own ever).  But, she is a girl that is pretty flexible and transitions well (e.g. it took only 3 days to get her off the night time feedings and sleeping in her own bed last month).

Thank you for your thoughts.  Very much appreciated.

[dance]

I see you haven't had any responses yet.  I am going to disappoint you since I don't actually have any advice but I just wanted to say that I am in the same boat.  I just posted something very similar today.  My DD is 22 months old and I am overwhelmed by her constant need to nurse.

I also am wondering if I need to stop from one day to the next or maybe rather take it slow. I am worried that if we gradually reduce that it is only dragging out the pain.  Since she will know there is still milk and will always try to ask for some.  My DH thinks it's best just to rip off the band aid in one go. Sad as it is, it'll probably be quicker. I think I am leaning towards the latter, considering the temperament of my child. SHe is very very persistent.

If any moms who have weaned can chime in here and reassure us that after weaning that connections you have when you BF can happen in other ways?

Thank you, and good luck.

[Super~Single~Mama]

I don't have any great advice either, but I am a single mom, and my ds spends a great deal of time with his dad (EOW, plus one night a week, and a few times has been away from me for a whole week).  He doesn't seem to mind not being able to nurse when he's with his dad - probably b/c I'm not around.

The only thing I can say, is that its very important for them to be very attached to daddy, and accustomed to getting comfort from them as well as from mom.  My ds does ask his dad for bottles when he's away from me, but has never asked me for a bottle, not once.  So, that is an option, if your children take bottles. 

As far as being able to connect w/o breastfeeding?  My ds and his dad are very close, and get along very well, and are very bonded.  It's certainly not the same bond we have, but I think thats just a function of us being different people and not due to BF"ing at all.  I'm sure that once my ds weans, that he and I will still have a very special mom/son relationship - I'm kinda looking forward to it actually!!

I will say though, take your pump!!!!!  Not to save the milk, but so that you can pump for comfort when you need to while your milk supply goes down.