A Hard Lesson Learned! Please Read!

[boatbaby]

My son is almost 3, we are following child led weaning and have never set ANY restrictions on his nursing.

At this point he is down to nursing once a day for just a few minutes -- usually at bed time or upon waking.

I had a tragic week this week when I learned a dear friend of mine had been senselessly murdered in a random shooting. I had to fly out last minute for the funeral. This was the first time I'd been away from DS, but I was confident he'd be fine since it was less than 48 hours, he would be with DH the whole time, and he hardly nurses much anyhow. I knew he'd jump right back in the nursing saddle when I returned.

BUT ------- I made a CRITICAL error. I didn't bring a pump. Well I don't own a pump, since we never used one. BUT I wish I had thought to borrow one. I was sure since he nurse so infrequently that my boobies would be fine for less than 48 hours.

WRONG!!

I ended up with TERRIBLE engorgement, pain, chills, fever, back ache, nausea... the works. I was barely able to peel myself off the bathroom floor the morning of my flight I was so ill. I had to zen through the travel home and beg my dear self-weaning boy to kick it up a notch with the nursing to help heal mama. I was better after about 48 hours of being very sick.

I wanted to share in case anyone else finds they're in a similar situation... I would have done ANYTHING to have some knowledge ahead of time to spare the pain!!

I am not sure if this is normal... or maybe I was extra hormonal with grief... or maybe I am just a really milkie person.

BUT -- if you find yourself needing to be away from your nursing child, even a child who is older and doesn't nurse much. Do yourself a favor and bring a pump. I'd hate for anyone to go through what I went through this week.

:

[Khourtniey]

Was expressing milk by hand not an option? Sometimes if I am in a hurry out of the house I will forget a pump and will have to express milk by hand. Its a PITB but it gets the milk out.. of course not as effective as pump, but still works

[LotusBirthMama]

Awww...I'm sorry for your loss, mama, and for the pain you had to go through. Making a mental note to stash my hand pump in my suitcase!

[boatbaby]

Originally Posted by Khourtniey

Was expressing milk by hand not an option? Sometimes if I am in a hurry out of the house I will forget a pump and will have to express milk by hand. Its a PITB but it gets the milk out.. of course not as effective as pump, but still works

I tried and tried and only got a drop. Either I was doing it wrong (I am not terribly experienced at this) or I was too engorged for it to work.

[Khourtniey]

Oh I would practice hand expressing for times like this! I dont think engorgement should be an issue when hand expressing. Because you can start around your nipple and work that milk out first before the rest follows.. I do know that hand expressing while engorged is a lot harder sometimes.

[thismama]

Thank you for this FYI! I may be unable to nurse my 3 yr old for a few days later this spring. I thought about pumping but figured it wouldn't matter. I'll make sure to have one handy.