A question for extended breastfeeders only?

I had to leave my Ds overnight when he was a year for occasional overnight work trips. He did take bottles though while I worked so he was used to having bottles, so I just left him breastmilk & he did fine while I was away & I did pump. I HATED being away - so I would never have purposely done it. If I had been allowed to bring him along, I totally would have. I tried to look at the bright side before going telling myself I could sleep well at night without having to listen for anyone, etc, but frankly I just missed the heck out of him & didn't have any fun. Before kids I could go out on the road & have a good time. I used to be on the road all.the.time. After him, it was nothing but hard hard hard.

If there is any way you can bring someone along to watch your child at the hotel, then look at that as an option. Do make sure you pump. No one can tell you what YOUR supply will do after a weekend of no pumping. That is impossible. Some people can skip feed/pump times & do fine, others are much more sensitive. At the very least you could end up with a plugged duct - so I wouldn't chance it if you don't need to. You might do fine, you might not...and you won't know until after you are done.

And as far as weaning - hard to say. Many times children who are only nursing twice a day are close to weaning anyway, so a disruption to a child with that routine is more likely to cause weaning than say a child who still nurses frequently. Both my kiddos were still nursing 6-10 times a day at that age, so for me I never worried over weaning after a separation since I figured there was little chance they would go from nursing all the time to not at all. She could wean. It IS within the realm of possibility. It is more likely she won't though. It is one of the techniques people use when they are weaning a toddler though - a few days apart from momma. So keep that in mind.

Take your pump along and pump in the morning and at night to keep your supply up. Your supply will diminish and you'll likely be uncomfortable if you don't pump.

Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for leaving your baby for a weekend.

Vegas really isn't the place for children.

I would leave some milk for her and bring your pump for discomfort. She will either wean, or just pick it right back up. Just depends.

If your brought her could you not find a babysitter for after she goes to sleep?

My recommendation would be to leave some pumped milk with her so she can have some at night, otherwise she may have a hard time falling asleep.

I don't think it would effect your supply to much since she's not nursing that much during the day, BUT still take your pump because you may want to use it because of pain and engorgement.

I think she would be fine over the weekend without you and it won't wean her. My son is 2 and still nursing and not to long ago he stayed 3 days away from me and only had breast milk at night and still wanted to nurse when he came home. In fact it was the longest nursing session we had had in a long time.

But be fore warned you will miss her... A LOT lol but remember to still have fun :)

Nah.. With nursing only in the morning and at night you probably don't have too much of a supply anyway.. and the weekend away might be enough to wean her.. I've heard of several moms that go away for a weekend and come back to find thier child just not interested anymore. Makes weaning very easy.. If not, then she'll just go back to it when you get back.

I nursed my son until he self weaned at 14 months old. he was only nursing in the morning/night/nap at that point, and he just quit one day. no biggie.

I would think it's time to have a nice little weekend away, and hope things go okay for the weekend. I think she'll surprise you though. :)

"Will it be unfair to her to leave her without nursing for an entire weekend?"

Oh yes. Quite traumatic.

You may find she doesn't care to nurse when you return, too.

There's no way this will be nice for either of you. My mind is kinda blown that somebody nursing their 19mo would be considering this.

That 'she is in bed by 7:30' is your restriction; it's not that traveling with a 19mo is restricting. Why not skip the early bedtime for the trip? Do what you can to get her to sleep in (white noise? works here), jolly her awake with bribes and interesting things so she doesn't crash out early, and, presto, kid who doesn't crash out early.

K, I really hope that you're being sarcastic. There is nothing wrong with leaving a kid without the breast for a couple of days, especially an older child.