Advice on Weaning at 6 Months

There is another option. I went on a trip to France when I had an 10 month old and was able to return and breastfeed her. I did not pump 6-7 times a day in France. While I was gone, my milk supply depleted to very little, but when I returned I was able to build it up again.

First-if you take your pump in your trip, put it in your carry on (they lost my luggage for just a few hours and OUCH!).

I pumped morning and evening throughout the trip (not disturbing my tours, etc) and ended up with not much milk. When flying back I did not pump for 36 hours (or something like that) and my milk built up again. She would not nurse the evening I returned (pumped then), but the next morning she did and I was able to build up my supply pretty quickly (if you have trouble, I know there are teas, etc. out there).

Free or not, this is a wonderful opportunity (mine was job related for my husband), so you have to take it when you get it. Enjoy it! Just know that you can have the best of both, you can go on a wonderful trip and not pump the entire time AND you can return home and nurse your daughter.

Good luck!!

PS I used an Avent hand pump, so the luggage space is small.

J. you should take this trip while you can. i'm a mother of four i weand my kids at different times but none seamed any healthier than the other. my youngest actualy had to be taken of milk all together because she was allergic to it. the doctor told me to give her rice water you know the water left after you boil rice with a little rice cereal. she is a healthy 9 year old now. a word of advice this trip will be good for you because your kids are pretty close in age and can get a little nerve wracking i'm a psych major and feel this could help keep the baby blues away not all women go through this but it is possible if you don't do a little something for yourself. so go with out any guilt you deserve it. this will also keep the fire burning in your marrige and scince he'll have you to himself he'll feel special because he'll have your undivied attention. men need this some time. good luck and enjoy yourself no guilt need apply here.

I agree with Amanda, start adding in some bottles of formula at some point. My 6 month old has been supplemented from the beginning. He is taking more and more formula and less breast milk now so my supply has gone down. If you don't want to take the pump at all, make sure that you do a complete switch over at least a couple weeks ahead of time so you're not in any pain or leaking. I think you can get some herbs that help to dry you up. I know that sage and parsley lower your supply.

Anyway, I hope you have an awesome trip!! Like everyone else said, just ignore any negative comments from the lactavists.

Mommy,
YOU DO NEED A BREAK!
I was in a similar situation, I went to Mexico when my son was 6months. I planned ahead and pumped enough milk for the trip and some. Also, he started eating so I could nurse/pump less. I ended up only having to pump twice a day during the trip. I don't know if that will work for you.
If not, try weening ahead of time like you mentioned, and still take your pump in case you need it.
WHO WOULD PASS UP A FREE TRIP!
Go, enjoy yourself. Your baby will be fine.

Hi J..
I have no advice for you because I am pregnant with my first and never breastfed or weaned, but I just wanted to give you some support. Europe is amazing and a free trip can't be passed up. You will have great stories and pics to share with your baby one day. have an awesome time and good luck with the weaning!

I don't have practical advice on how to actually 'do' the weaning, but I thought I'd chime in with my support of your decision.

You have done a wonderful, selfless job of raising three kids and doing the best you can with them...but now it is time to take care of YOU!

Go to Italy.
Do not feel guilty.
Enjoy this time, this uninterrupted, fun-filled, sleep in if you want to, not worry about diapers or leaky boobs, on your own schedule not your kids schedule, trip to Italy...and come back a refreshed mommy.

Although some breastfeeding advocates mean well, they really sometimes end up making people feel badly if they don't breastfeed the way *they* think it ought to be done. *They* aren't the ones who have to live with your family and your decision-making; you do. So, make the decision that works best for you and your family and forget about what other people think.

I can assure you that there are many babies out there who were not breastfed and are somehow managing to survive just fine. I'm sure you're doing a fantastic job with your kids and will continue to do so after you're done breastfeeding too!

I'm sorry that some people will take this opportunity to be rude and tacky. Ignore them.

I say how awesaome to get a fre trip trip to Italy!!

Don't feel guilty. You, & your husband deserve this trip!!

you could bring the baby with. other then that. Just go have fun!! my son was 6 month when I broke him. It was hard!!!
we tried different formula's. bottles, nipples tc... I would have her broke off by a month before so as not to give her, & the persons tending to her a hard time. Does she take bottles now? have fun!!! all will be good. start giving her a bottle a day now if she will. does she tend to be a flexiable baby?

bonjour!!

1st thing is pump now so you can mix breast milk & formula at the beginning so there are no poop or digestive problems.

Start 2 months before!!! Every week to 10 days cut 1 feeding and give her a formula bottle (or mixed) and continue until you leave. Make sure that she is 100% on formula at least 1 week before you leave so that she is finished with the 'comfort' feeding and breast attachment. This way you will also not be engorged for your trip.

Have a great trip!!!

I nursed both my kids till about 7 months... GO enjoy your trip. Its not like you didn't nurse her and you will be nursing her till she is 6 mos which is more than what a lot of women do and that is a good amount of time. Enjoy yourself and don't be weighed down with the negative comments you get. Enjoy yourself.

I'm currently weaning my 7 month old (started at 6 mos) and dropping one feeding every other week per advice I read on earlier Q&A postings. It is working very well. No engorgement yet and I'm down to 2 sessions/day. I've also found it best to try to balance the feedings out as evenly as possible throughout the day. Hope this might help you too.

We went to Italy 10 days after I learned I was pregnant (planned the trip months before). A great time but boy was I bummed I had to miss out on the wine and cheese. Of course I was happier though that I was finally pregnant. Ciao! :)

I think if you really want to keep nursing that you can. If you do continue you will have to pump some when you are gone. I would try a hand pump they are much easier and protable. Maybe you could try to pump some with a hand pump when you go to the bathroom like 5 miinute. I am sure there will be five minutes in there enough. But like everyone said when you get back you will have to get your supply back but thats what the baby is for. Its up to you. If breastfeeding is something that you really want to stick with then stick with it if you want to wean her then wean her. Hope you figure it out!

Does your baby take bottles at all?? At 11 weeks, it's a good time to start. My little guy is the same age and does take the Playtex nursers (drop-ins) well. I have only been using them for a couple of weeks when I went back to work.

If you are already doing bottles here and there, I would suggest supplementing a couple of bottles a day when she gets a little older. You will probably be on foods then as well, right? So it's really not that much formula. I know we got a ton of free ones when little guy was born and then from websites that I registered on and from pediatrician. It's just choosing which I think. I ordered them just in case we would need them (dd 9 had issues with breastfeeding and I learned how expensive formula got.). All of the major brands have websites and send out great coupons. You can either go with recommendations from others or talk to the pediatrician.

And don't let the negativity get to you. As mom's we carry enough guilt about daily decisions. I weaned my middle guy when I went on a girls' trip with friends. He was 10 months, but people still didn't hesitate to put me down...Oh, and I did take the pump because I would be in pain. So I wouldn't recommend waiting until the week of the trip to wean!!!

Sometimes it turns out that what's best for baby is what is truly best for mommy. Don't feel guilty. You've done your mootherly thing for 3 kids. Time for you. If you pump ahead and freeze you'll still have to stop a couple of weeks to get rid of the excess engorgment and baby could be weened alternating milk then your milk. Again, don't beat yourself up; you've done plenty. You've already bonded with baby so don't worry.