Weaning, I'm Not Sure!!

Yes!!! Get her used to bottles!! You don't need to stop completely, just pump & dump while you are away. Be nice to your mom and start giving her increasing numbers of bottles each day (and night). pump for her if you want, or give her formula and freeze the breastmilk for when grandma is in charge. Grandma is going to need to have the option to give her formula in case you run out of frozen stuff so get her used to that. I did the same thing when my daughter was 10 months old, and I continued to breastfeed for 2 more months after that. So just make it work for your mom!!

Congratulations on finishing your schooling!

I would continue if you can. If she's not 'self weaning', she still wants it. I think you should pump as much as you can before your trip, so Grandma has ample supply. I've never been away from my daughter, so I don't know how she'll react when you return from an absence, but if she's getting breast milk while you are gone, I would imagine it's likely she'll want to continue BF when you return. I weaned at 16 months. Tried to wean her at 1 year, but she wasn't ready, and fought it so hard - so i gave in and she's now just been off the breast for 2 weeks.

I would only wean to the point of not having to feed her in the night. There is no physical reason why an average baby needs to be fed in the middle of the night, and every physical reason why a mother doesn't need to get up.
Also if you don't have a supply ready start pumping now!!! My daughter does not take a bottle but eats twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening, the rest of the time she is nursed.

Sandra,
When I was pregnant with my second child, I was in almost the same predicament. I am a strong supporter of BF and have BF all three of my children. I was so worried about leaving my son with no breast for two nights to give birth to my daughter. I was relieved to find, though, that I picked the right people for him to stay with. He was bombarded with play mates and fun activities that he didn't even notice I was gone. Your little one will have a great time with Grandma, and I would incourage Grandma to sleep with him so he will feel even more secure. As for you, pump! Have breast milk stored up and if you're anxious about bottles, give it to the little one in a sippy cup. Just make sure while you're on vacation to pump so you won't be in pain. You'r doing a fantastic job and you can keep BF as long as you and your little one need!! Some encouragement to you and a hug!!

Hmmm...it seems to me that unless both you and your daughter are emotionally ready to wean, there's no reason to do so for three nights out of town. If she wakes up to feed in the night, she's probably not going to change that behavior in the next couple of weeks so why not just pump and store some milk so your mom can give her a bottle? Trying to wean her completely and leaving her might even create more problems for your mom...hard to say. From what you said, it sounds like you're doing a combination of food and breastfeeding. If you think you can pump enough for those three days, then that's probably healthier for your little girl. Judging from how many moms have concerns/issues with their children when switching to formula, do you really want to go through that while finishing your last few weeks of school? Having just graduated myself, I say make it as easy on yourself as possible!!! And congratulations on finishing your prerequisites while raising three daughters and keeping a marriage going! Enjoy Vegas :)

If you still love BFing AND she is willing to take a bottle than I would not wean her yet. As best as possible start pumping some extra milk and freezing it for you mom. Even if she takes formula, I would still try to pump a little BM for her to have over night. Then, TAKE YOUR PUMP WITH YOU! You will be in terrible pain with out it. (Unless hubby wants to "relieve the presure" in them. hehe) I would most likely pump and dump while I was there, but that would have to be your call.

I was never good at pumping but I had to for 3 days after a medical proceedure that involved being injected with radio active dye. This happened right at my son's 1st b-day. For three days he could only have bottles, and I had to pump about 6 times a day. Finally on the 3rd pump of the 4th day my milk wasn't green anymore, so the next feeding he got me back. From that point on I nursed him with out any problems until I stopped him at 18 months.

If you still love it, than don't convince yourself that this HAS to be the end. Yes, she will probably cry to get some in the middle of the night, but your mom KNOWS she still wakes and is willing to care for her anyway. She and your mom will be fine. Your talking about 3 nights/4 days of not so perfect rest. Your mom loves you, and her, and will likely be just fine with it all.

Enjoy your trip~ J.

BTW- breast fed babies ARE hungery in the middle of the night. That's WHY so many of us BF Moms are exhusted until we stop doing it. BM is not as filling as formula. Formula fed babies sleep through the night from close to the start because that stuff hits their belly like Thanksgiving Dinner. So, if she cries, there IS a reason. SHE IS HUNGRY!! And it's not just about "wanting comfort" or "needing attention." If you woke up at 2am with hunger pains so bad they were keeping you awake, you'd likely go drink a glass of milk and go back to bed. She is NO different.

Hey Sandra-
I am a huge breastfeeding advocate. It's the best thing for the health of your child AND for you......which i am sure you know as a nurse, but if you feel like you need to stop, for YOU, then that is what's best. But if you feel like you don't want to stop and are able to keep it going when you get back from your trip, then i would recommend pumping and having enough stored up for while you are gone. Does your little one take some mama's milk from a bottle at all now? She'll need to start having it from a bottle in preparation for your being gone, so i'd start pumping and giving her a bottle every few days or so. If you decide you want to stop nursing all together, that's an okay decision too. Don't be hard on yourself. Whatever is right for you is what is best. But i nurse my little monkeys and when i went away i pumped a few times a day and didn't even save it, just dumped it, but did that to keep my milk flow going. It's too hard to bring the milk back on a trip, but you'll want to pump in place of the times you usually nurse. You'll need to have pumped extra each day or two until your trip to save enough for your absense.
Good luck, and feel free to contact me if you ever want to chat about it. S.
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