Vacation without nursing child....a ?

[Mommy2Liz]

DH and I are going on a cruise the first week of March without kids. DD is 18 months old currently and nursing. I have no intention of weaning anytime soon, however, I'm concerned about being away for that week.

First, will that affect my milk at all? Will I still be able to nurse when I come back? Second, will it affect her emotionally? Will she still WANT to nurse? I know it probably depends on the child, but I'm wondering if anyone has had this experience. My family keeps telling me I had better wean before the cruise or she and I will both be unhappy. Will she be old enough to explain that she can have it when I get back? I'm really worried about her feeling sad or lonely without me.

DD will be staying with my husband's mom that week. I'm anxious about bedtime and naptime stuff since she likes to nurse before she goes down. I'm hoping it will go smoothly.

I have the feeling I'm going to struggle while on vacation. I'm not looking forward to it, which is sad because I need some time alone with DH.

Any advice is very appreciated! Thanks.

[Kiddoson]

Can you pump ahead of time and leave milk for her? you will need to pump while you are gone if you want to keep making milk. plus you would get so full and uncomfortable if you don't. Can you take baby with you and take a sitter? I would have a tough time leaving mine too at that age. Not sure about her wanting to nurse when you get home. maybe someone else will come along and help.

[hellyaellen]

we went on a wedding/honeymoon trip when ds was about that age

i had some brestmilk for him but he also drank cows milk too

i did pump while away to keep my supply up and also to relieve engorgement

and ds resumed nursing with no problems when we got back

hth

[columbusmomma]

Originally Posted by hellyaellen

we went on a wedding/honeymoon trip when ds was about that age

i had some brestmilk for him but he also drank cows milk too

i did pump while away to keep my supply up and also to relieve engorgement

and ds resumed nursing with no problems when we got back

hth

I had a similar situation when DS was a toddler. I was gone from him for 4 days, didn't pump, then came home and resumed nursing without a hitch! Goodluck! It is hard, but you DON'T have to wean!

[D_McG]

I did two weekends (12 and 17 mos), pumped for comfort both times and went back to nursing with no issue. DS wasn't thrilled I was gone but it wasn't the end of the world either. And I felt a million times better when I came back. Have a great time!

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Liz

DH and I are going on a cruise the first week of March without kids. DD is 18 months old currently and nursing. I have no intention of weaning anytime soon, however, I'm concerned about being away for that week.

First, will that affect my milk at all? Will I still be able to nurse when I come back? Second, will it affect her emotionally? Will she still WANT to nurse? I know it probably depends on the child, but I'm wondering if anyone has had this experience. My family keeps telling me I had better wean before the cruise or she and I will both be unhappy. Will she be old enough to explain that she can have it when I get back? I'm really worried about her feeling sad or lonely without me.

DD will be staying with my husband's mom that week. I'm anxious about bedtime and naptime stuff since she likes to nurse before she goes down. I'm hoping it will go smoothly.

I have the feeling I'm going to struggle while on vacation. I'm not looking forward to it, which is sad because I need some time alone with DH.

Any advice is very appreciated! Thanks.

mama, it sounds like you might not be ready! Any chance you can take your LO with you? I think most cruises, babies are free until 3 or something like that? If you can't truly relax and have fun w/o your dd than is it really even worth it? Just something to think about...

[Ruthla]

Any chance you could cancel the week-long cruise and spend a weekend in a hotel with DH instead? With a cruise, you can't cut your trip short if you're really needed at home.

A nursing toddler can usually handle one or two nights at Grandma's without too much trouble- but a whole week might be too much for both of you.

[finn'smama]

Originally Posted by hollytheteacher

mama, it sounds like you might not be ready! Any chance you can take your LO with you? I think most cruises, babies are free until 3 or something like that? If you can't truly relax and have fun w/o your dd than is it really even worth it? Just something to think about...

:

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Any chance you could cancel the week-long cruise and spend a weekend in a hotel with DH instead? With a cruise, you can't cut your trip short if you're really needed at home.

A nursing toddler can usually handle one or two nights at Grandma's without too much trouble- but a whole week might be too much for both of you.

And I have to agree with Ruthla here. I honestly wouldn't be that worried about the nursing, but a week is a long time for both or you.
Or maybe do a trial weekend first and see how it goes? I know all kids (and mamas!) are different, but I know I couldn't leave either of my kids for a week yet. They are 3 yo and 18 mo. Good luck with whatever you decide

[ASusan]

March is still a ways off, in terms of you and/or DS being ready. And if you and DH need it, I think it is very important.

I think a trial run - a weekend in a nearby hotel or DS at grandma's for the weekend - is a great idea.

And young children/infants aren't always (or even usually?) free on a cruise. For example, an infant in the parents' room is considered a third person, and charged as one, even if their sole source of food is nursing.

[Bensmommy]

I had the same thing!!!! We went on a cruise when DD was 18m. I brought my double electric pump and pumped 3 times a day. At that point, DD was nursing WAY more than that, but that's all I could manage and still have fun on the cruise. 3 times a day kept me from getting too engorged, but I was full sometimes. We had a wonderful vacation and she went right back to nursing when we got home-- no problems! Be sure to bring all your pump supplies and a little ibuprofen in case you get a little full in the mornings.

You don't have to wean, but be prepared if your little one decides they are done while you're gone. I've gone on 2 vacations while nursing, and each time I'm SURE she'll wean while I'm gone, but she still hasn't.

My DD was with her gramma for both vacations and they did a lot of fun stuff and bedtime/naptime weren't a problem- she didn't expect mi-mi from gramma, KWIM? If your little one has a special lovey, make sure that is in place at gramma's. If she drinks bottles, be sure to have some on hand for gramma to use at nap and bed. I had pumped like a dog before the cruise to get enough bottles for nap and night for a whole week (we didn't really do bottles, so this was kinda a chore for me!), but she only took a few, then decided she'd be fine without bottles, etc. The supplies were there IF she needed them, but they weren't forced on her, KWIM?

That's my experience. Be prepared for her to give you a little bit of a cold shoulder when you get back; my DD was pouty for about 30minutes, then she totally wanted to nurse! Just let her have whatever feelings she needs to, support her, love her through it, and if she decides to wean, then don't force the issue. I doubt she will...

You DO need alone time with DH; don't feel guilty for it!!! Protecting a marriage and supporting a marriage is very important for the health and wellbeing of your DD- look at it that way!!!!!

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk about it further!

s

[Mommy2Liz]

Thank you all for your feedback. I'm sorry I posted and disappeared! Life was kind of crazy for a few days.

As far as cancelling the cruise, it isn't really an option at this point. It is a family cruise with all of my siblings and parents. I know I shouldn't feel obligated to go, but I sort of do. Plus, I really am excited about the vacation. Plus I am finally looking good in my swimsuit! lol

I am just nervous about her emotionally. I hope she won't be a terror for her grandma. I have lots of friends who are going to do playdates and stuff to keep her entertained for the week so it won't all be on grandma's shoulders to entertain. I'm sure she'll be a little sad but hopefully she'll forgive me. She is a great child and is very easy going....I just hope it continues. I don't know if I need to take a pump though...I have never gotten engorged besides once or twice the first few weeks. I guess it can't hurt to pack it in case.