Tell me my milk won't dry up!

[rajouta]

I'm still nursing my three-year old, especially at night, and look forward to a long lasting nursing relationship with her. However, I'm going to be taking a three to four day trip to Europe for work this summer, and I was wondering whether my milk could dry up during that time. I don't think I can take her with me, unfortunately... So, is there a chance my milk will dry up in those few days, or will it be all right?

Thanks!

[sosurreal09]

I think it is too hard to say really. Even if it didn't she is at an age that when you get home she *may*  not want it. I mean once a day nursing is not much milk and 4 days it may dry up or at least decrease. could you pump or express at the time she normally nurses?

[konayossie]

Can you pump? I pumped just to keep some stimulation going when ds was 23 mos and still had milk at the end of a 4-day separation. Not sure if it was necessary but it made me feel better to do something.

[rajouta]

I guess I may have to... I have a small manual pump somewhere, which just kills my hands... but I'll do it if I have to! Thank you for your advice!

[beebalmmama]

I left my 2.5 yr old ds for 5 days and although I really didn't want our nursing relationship to end. I thought it could be possible. He was nursing 2-3 times a day at that point. I ended up hand expressing a few times during the day and we picked up again the moment I walked in the door. He nursed until just shy of his 4th birthday.

[rajouta]

Oh, how encouraging! Can I ask how much you hand expressed at a time?

[gravida]

 I just got back from an 8 day trip. I did borrow a pump and I noticed a massive drop in supply around day 4. From 4-6 oz a side to maybe 1. My son got things back up in no time once I got home though. I'd be scared of going more than a day or two without pumping. 

[Cutie Patootie]

I went away for 5 nights/6 full days this past February when my littlest one was 25 mos.  I did not pump or keep anything up at all.  He didn't miss a beat when I got back home.  I was/am pregnant, so my supply was dropping already, but here we are in the middle of May, and he is still going even though I have nothing at the moment.  I keep telling him that the new baby is going to bring the milk back for him when she comes. :)  He is very excited and talks about sharing with her.