Let me start this off by asking for gentle answers... no flames or rebukes, please! This is a horribly sensitive issue for me and I will try to give as much background as I can. But please know that I am truly a good mama, trying to do the best for my family and especially my DD. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"><br><br>
Okay, I am a working parent. My DH is a SAHD. This happened because I had to move a few years ago (before DD) and he wasn't able to find a job immediately. He was diagnosed with MS a few months later and isn't able to get health insurance, so I had to keep working at my job and not change insurance so we can cover his treatments.<br><br>
So anyway, I work in a pretty good job. I Was able to take nearly 7 months off for maternity PLUS a month of bedrest before DD was born. I work from home most of the time. So I can nurse my DD and don't pump much. When I have to be away, it is only for a few hours, so I'm never away over night.<br><br>
She is now 13.5 mo and nurses anywhere from 4-12 times per day... sometimes more, I really don't count. She sleeps in 5-6 hour stretches at night when she isn't teething and when she wakes I nurse her back to sleep.<br><br>
In February, I have a very important meeting that I must attend for my job. It is in Florida and I will have to fly there and stay in a hotel for several nights. We cannot really afford to pay for my DH and DD to come along. My DH said that he can give her my pumped stash in a cup during the day when she wants it (she drinks from a cup) and at night, when she wakes, he will give her the milk from a bottle, so she can suck. While I am gone I will pump every 3-4 hours and take MM tea and fenugreek to keep up my supply.<br><br>
I am so scared that this is going to end our nursing relationship. The trip is going to part us for 3 nights... about 3.5-4 days. I just don't know what to do... What would being apart for that time do to our nursing relationship?<br><br>
The thing that is hard is that I don't have a choice about this. I berate myself all the time for having to work. I wish we could find a way to live off the money from my DH's business... but b/c of the insurance situation and his health care needs, we don't have a choice. I want so badly to be a SAHM who never has to leave her baby, but I just can't. We have a home to pay for, and bills... plus our loans from college.<br><br>
Do you have any advice? Will this end our relationship? I really, really, desperately want her to lead the weaning. I seriously cannot imagine not nursing her.<br><br>
Edited to add: I am sorry if this is in the wrong forum. But I don't think this is an overcoming difficulties. I hope it doesn't offend anyone... I am trying to do CLW and need support on this issue. I know that working and being away from baby can be considered against CLW, but I am really trying to do it. So that is why I posted here!
Okay, I am a working parent. My DH is a SAHD. This happened because I had to move a few years ago (before DD) and he wasn't able to find a job immediately. He was diagnosed with MS a few months later and isn't able to get health insurance, so I had to keep working at my job and not change insurance so we can cover his treatments.<br><br>
So anyway, I work in a pretty good job. I Was able to take nearly 7 months off for maternity PLUS a month of bedrest before DD was born. I work from home most of the time. So I can nurse my DD and don't pump much. When I have to be away, it is only for a few hours, so I'm never away over night.<br><br>
She is now 13.5 mo and nurses anywhere from 4-12 times per day... sometimes more, I really don't count. She sleeps in 5-6 hour stretches at night when she isn't teething and when she wakes I nurse her back to sleep.<br><br>
In February, I have a very important meeting that I must attend for my job. It is in Florida and I will have to fly there and stay in a hotel for several nights. We cannot really afford to pay for my DH and DD to come along. My DH said that he can give her my pumped stash in a cup during the day when she wants it (she drinks from a cup) and at night, when she wakes, he will give her the milk from a bottle, so she can suck. While I am gone I will pump every 3-4 hours and take MM tea and fenugreek to keep up my supply.<br><br>
I am so scared that this is going to end our nursing relationship. The trip is going to part us for 3 nights... about 3.5-4 days. I just don't know what to do... What would being apart for that time do to our nursing relationship?<br><br>
The thing that is hard is that I don't have a choice about this. I berate myself all the time for having to work. I wish we could find a way to live off the money from my DH's business... but b/c of the insurance situation and his health care needs, we don't have a choice. I want so badly to be a SAHM who never has to leave her baby, but I just can't. We have a home to pay for, and bills... plus our loans from college.<br><br>
Do you have any advice? Will this end our relationship? I really, really, desperately want her to lead the weaning. I seriously cannot imagine not nursing her.<br><br>
Edited to add: I am sorry if this is in the wrong forum. But I don't think this is an overcoming difficulties. I hope it doesn't offend anyone... I am trying to do CLW and need support on this issue. I know that working and being away from baby can be considered against CLW, but I am really trying to do it. So that is why I posted here!