Leaving a breastfed baby for a weekend - Page 2

[MichelleAnnette]

It's a mother's responsibility to be with her baby all the time. That is just what having a baby is about. I bring my baby everywhere, as I'm sure many mamas here do. I would be so sad if I left my baby for a weekend. He would not understand that I am leaving for a few days and then coming home. For all he knows, I'm leaving him forever. My baby deserves to be with me all the time, just like I was with my mother all the time as a baby.

[jodie84]

Honestly, I don't have a problem with leaving him with his dad for a weekend - I know he'll be fine. I left my DD with my mother for the occasional weekend from 4 months old (she was formula fed by then anyway) and it did her no harm either. Personally I think it's good for them to get used to being left with trusted people other than me from a young age, but I understand that other mothers may feel differently about when to leave their children.

becoming/KimProbable -what do you mean by early weaning? That he won't go back to the breast again?

artgoddess - will my supply be damaged if I'm still pumping over the weekend?

[KimProbable]

Originally Posted by jodie84

becoming/KimProbable -what do you mean by early weaning? That he won't go back to the breast again?

It's possible. The way a baby latches and sucks on an artificial nipple is very different from the way he would with a real nipple. The flow of milk from a bottle is also instantaneous and sometimes faster than the flow of breastmilk, so some babies who get used to drinking from a bottle refuse the breast because it's more work.

[artgoddess]

Originally Posted by jodie84

artgoddess - will my supply be damaged if I'm still pumping over the weekend?

Everyone is different. It is possible, but if your ds is able to continue nursing well from the time you get home then you can get your supply back up and running well, as long as you are seriously committed to doing so. However, with every bottle feeding and use of artificial nipple you run the risk of your ds having latch issues upon moms return, or even worse, refusing the breast.

[rmzbm]

What thismama said. PLEASE take your babe.

[MommytoTwo]

Well I am pretty easy-going, let people do as they will, and all that but I would not leave a 6 mo old nursing babe. Like a pp said, its also about closeness. You are everything to that baby. And I need breaks too, dont get me wrong. But a weekend is a long time to a baby. Just take him with you. Travelling w one 6 mo old child is really not a big deal at all.

[jodie84]

Taking the baby with me would kind of defeat the purpose of going away for the weekend I'm afraid!

[artgoddess]

what is the purpose of your trip?

[jodie84]

Just to get away from the kids for a weekend and have a good time with my sister.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by jodie84

Just to get away from the kids for a weekend and have a good time with my sister.

Infants don't need mama to get away from them. And in infancy the baby's needs trump mama's wants.

-Angela

[jodie84]

Sorry, but I don't feel guilty for wanting one weekend off baby duty in six months

[becoming]

Then you have your answer. But I suppose you knew you would go before you posted this thread.

I hope it goes okay for you guys.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by jodie84

Sorry, but I don't feel guilty for wanting one weekend off baby duty in six months

Why not stay home and let dh take baby when he doesn't need you? Or take dh with you on the trip?

You came here and asked a question. You got a lot of answers. A lot of good information. If you did not want those answers and that information, then your mind was already made up.

-Angela

[artgoddess]

Originally Posted by jodie84

Sorry, but I don't feel guilty for wanting one weekend off baby duty in six months

no need to apologize. I just think you are coming from a totally different world than 99% of the women on this site. Do you subscribe to Mothering magazine? The magazine that launched this discussion board? It promotes attachment parenting, and a need to get away from your children is nearly as opposite an ideal as you can get to Attachment Parenting.

Best of luck to you and your babe.

[rmzbm]

I haven't had, or wanted, a break in nearly 10 yrs. of parenting. I don't suggest people need to be that extreme, but at only 6 months I think I would have a panic attack wondering if my babe was ok! Wouldn't you find it emotionally unbearable? And at 6 months a baby cannot comprehend mama will be back - a weekend is an eternity! What if there was a nursing strike as a result? A real possablity! Not worth it, IMO.
Yes, you have needs, but he does too. Let his come first, there will be lots of time to go off later.
Like a PP said, you DID ask.

[jodie84]

I'm grateful for all the information and responses I've got here My question was more about whether it would be possible to continue to breastfeed despite being away for a couple of days (since my DP thinks that it will be too difficult and I should just move to formula) rather than whether it is ok to leave the children.

Thanks for the points about the risk of early weaning and damaging my supply. It's given me something to think about.

[jodie84]

Originally Posted by artgoddess

no need to apologize. I just think you are coming from a totally different world than 99% of the women on this site. Do you subscribe to Mothering magazine? The magazine that launched this discussion board? It promotes attachment parenting, and a need to get away from your children is nearly as opposite an ideal as you can get to Attachment Parenting.

Best of luck to you and your babe.

Maybe - I'm certainly not as 100% signed up to the AP rules as many of the women here, but a friend pointed me in the direction of this website while I was pregnant and I have read and learned a lot. Some things I did with my first DD were pretty AP, and I'm intending to "go further" with this baby (like breastfeeding longer...) But as I said, I'm not 100% and may never be, and I do need a break sometimes from being mummy 24/7.

[transformed]

its always easier for me to just take the baby.

i dont like pumping though. i wouldnt choose to feed my baby formula unless it was an extreme case.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by jodie84

and I do need a break sometimes from being mummy 24/7.

We all need to re-charge. The problem is that *baby* doesn't get a break from being *baby* while you take a break from being mummy.

So as parents we owe it to our infants to take their NEEDS into consideration over our wants.

There are ways to take breaks and still be respectful of our childrens' *needs*

That is what is being suggested here.

-Angela

[raelize]

i just gotta say, i totally agree with all the posters who say no, it is not okay. i would be incredibly surprised if he didn't wean. he may even reject you outright when you get back because he is mad at you for leaving him. i can't think of a possible situation where i wouldn't be able to bring a baby to visit relatives. and traveling with a b/f 6 month old is EASY. just bring dipes and clothes to change on the plane. he will nurse most of the plane ride and since last years debacle about nursing on planes, no one willl bat an eye.
what is the reason yuor sister doesn't want to see him? is she going into surgery adn wants you to take care of her? then bring mom or dh and have them help you. at this point in your babe's life, he is your first priority. sorry if yuo don't like to hear that, but he is only 6 months and it is true. for a baby that young you disappearing for the weekend will be akin to you dying. he doesn't understand that you will be back.
even if i was having surgery and was required to stay in the hospital for two days i would have someoone bring my baby as soon as i was out of surgery and keep them there with me as long as possible.