Business trip abroad but don't want give up bfing

[Vinividivino]

I have to go on a business trip in a few weeks but am still breastfeeding DD. she will be 7.5 months when I go and so already weaning but milk will likely still be a key part of her diet then. I'll be gone for 4/5 days(can't tell you how much I'm dreading leaving her) but desperately don't want to stop breastfeeding yet. Everyone I speak to (well family members) think its crazy to try to fill up freezer and fridge with milk for her while I'm away and to have to deal with engorged/leaking boobs while in a completely different timezone/in important meetings. They think i should start her on formula asap and give up the breast but, i really want to bf longer, at least until she's fully weaned. I have an idea that I'll take my pump with me and nip to the loo to pump and dump whenever I can. Am I being unrealistic? What would you do/have you done in this situation? I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you

[gastrognome]

Definitely not unrealistic if that's what you want to do!
You might feel a bit uncomfy the first day or two but as long as you nip to the toilet to relieve the engorgement (if it occurs - it might not!) during the day and pump morning and evening you will probably find things settle down quite quickly. Then when you get back home your supply might be a bit lower than usual but it'll pick back up as soon as you start BFing your daughter again.
So certainly go for it.

[hermioneweasley]

Not crazy, take your pump and do what's right for you

[hermioneweasley]

BTW, I went away for a week when DD was 3 months old. It was hard, but I survived and you will too.

Coukd you Skype or do FaceTime while you're away?

[Vinividivino]

Thank you very much for your replies. I just needed to hear that it IS possible after all the breastfeeding doubters had me fearing it wouldn't be. Thanks Hermione too for sharing your experience - will definitely be doing FaceTime and DH will send lots of camera phone pics. Rationally, I know it's such a short time and we are fortunate to have great childcare that I know DD will barely notice I've gone but irrationally, I'm dreading it and am terrified of traveling. But, you have both made me feel much better and I am going to continue bfing, so thank you!

[hermioneweasley]

Try (if you can!) to enjoy some peaceful time doing things you don't get the chance to at home. Make sure you have things to do (even if it's a book you've been wanting to read) in the evening as it can get lonely

When I came home I fell through the door on my kids. My son (who was about 4) wouldn't let me out of his sight for 48 hours after I got back!

Where are you going?

[Vinividivino]

New York. Yes you're so right, i am trying to think of the positives - like how nice it'll be to have a full night's sleep and room service! Here's hoping jet lag doesn't scupper the former! where did you go?

[hermioneweasley]

American mid west - New York would have been much better!

There's something about getting on a plane that puts that real sense of distance isn't there? Being away for 5 days in the UK would be easier.

Don't wish to patronise, but have you done your ESTA and got lots of small bills for tipping?

Enjoy the shopping - major benefit of going to the states, especially NY!

[hermioneweasley]

I don't know how often you do the US, but my top tips for jet lag are

• take melatonin at the night time you are trying to acclimatise to. You can buy over the counter in US drug stores
  
• stay up as late as you possibly can when you arrive. Go out and do something rather than hang around the hotel where your bed is too close!
  
• I don't try and fully acclimatise for a 4/5 day trip. I still go to bed by 9 and get up about 5. Gives me time to go to the gym and burn off some of the calories I ferociously consume all day, starting with cinnamon buns for breakfast! Early bed times haven't been a problem as Americans tend to eat dinner early.

[Vinividivino]

Yes, the plane travel is part of the problem - I've developed a fear of flying since having DCs so the whole idea of getting on a plane in a few weeks is horrendous. Not patronizing at all, I confess I haven't even thought about currency or ESTA so will need to get my act together and stop pretending that it might not happen/i might win the lottery between now and then and not have to go!

Thanks for the tips - all are great. Yes some gym time will be great, and a child-free trip to the shops will be heaven, even if it's just in the airport terminal. If I can just get myself there without draining the airport lounge's stocks of gin and tonic first I'm sure it'll be fine.

Doing it with a 3 month old must have been very tough on you but I imagine getting home to your 4 year old's welcome must have been magical! As you say, 5 days in the furthest point of the UK would feel a whole lot better!

[smaths]

It's totally doable, I went back to work when dd was 7 months and had to go on a business trip shortly after. Express what you can to stock up before you go if you have time, but my advice would don't stress about making sure you have a full stash of frozen milk to cover the whole trip.

I was a bit precious about not giving my dd any formula when i went back to work then it dawned on me after about 6 weeks of expressing 3x a day at work and in the evenings after she was in bed that she was weaning, having 3 meals a day and the odd bit of formula wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't have enough expressed for when I was at work. It was much easier after i accepted that!

When you are away take your pump and express when you can - your supply might go down a wee bit but just feed as much as you can when you get back and things should return to normal in a few days. melatonin is really good for jet lag as someone else mentioned above.

[hermioneweasley]

OP, if you go to your GP they will prescribe a small amount of Valium for long haul travel. One of those babies (assuming it's new to you and you're not already a diazepam addict) and you'll be fine for the flight.

[Vinividivino]

Thanks Smaths, I know what you mean about the 'precious with breast feeding' thing. It occurred to me too that ff her a bit to cover some of the time I'm away is not the end of the world, I just don't want to have to give up bf ing completely. It sounds from everyone's experiences that it's all doable, for which I am very grateful.

Hermione, really? I never thought of talking to the doctor about it (feel enough of a flummox mentioning it in RL as most people just quote stats at me about how safe air travel is, including my DH who then turned back to the TV news about the Asiana crash). Point is, I KNOW it's safe, I just can't convince myself not to be scared witless. May I ask, have you tried it? Am wholly up for medicating myself through this situation! Just never thought a doc would think a fear of flying serious enough to warrant pills. Great advice - thanks.

[hermioneweasley]

Yes. I don't have a fear of flying as such, just get very "cabin fevery" after a few hours. Several GPs have prescribed small quantities (12 pills i think) which have lasted for years. I think as long as you're not addicted or showing drug seeking behaviours, they are OK to prescribe it.

It just makes you sort of 'numb'. I woukdn't recommend drinking alcohol within though!

[Vinividivino]

And do you feel ok afterwards? Ie not 'out of it'? I'll probably land and go straight to meetings to minimize the time I'm away so will need to have my wits about me. that's the free booze out then!