Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

Okay, here is the situation.

My Brother is getting married on June 28 in the Bahamas. I am due on March 29, so the baby will be just 3 months (barely).

I plan on BF, I really really want to BF.

My first thought was I would leave the baby with DH and go from Fri - Sun (my bro is getting married on Saturday). But will I be able to save up enough milk for that weekend?

My second thought is should I bring the baby, then the three of us would go. But I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around bring a 3 month old baby to the Bahamas. The plane ride is what really bothers, with all the germs and most likely we would have to take a flight out of JFK to get a direct flight.

I really want to go see my brother, but I also want to BF my baby.

Ladies, do you have any advice?

Message edited 1/21/2008 8:04:57 PM.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I think its a personal decision, but you could definintely pump plenty of breastmilk to freeze before you went and continue to pump while you are there if you decided not to bring the baby. I started pumping at 5 weeks and had a whole freezer full within a few weeks!

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby. Ella was on a flight at 3 months - its a very easy travel age.

In fact, we're planning a trip to Europe when baby #2 will be about 3-4 months old.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

If it makes you feel any better, I am leaving for Florida next Friday with a 2 month old. The bahamas aren't much further.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

You should be able to save enough milk- but if you leave the baby home you'll have to bring a pump with you and be on pretty much the same schedule you'll be on at home with the baby. And would you be able to store that milk? That might be a challenge, and it would be a shame to have to dump it.

I'm with the others- I'd bring the baby.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby.

I hate to be negative, but you don't know how pumping is going to work out, and that is a lot of pressure to put on yourself.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I'd bring the baby. It sounds like a fun family trip!

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I also would bring the baby. In the end it would probably just be easier.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

Definitely bring the baby because what happens if the baby refuses a bottle? Some do refuse a bottle, and then what?

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby too. It may just be a lot easier and you can both be on the same schedule.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I'd bring the baby and make it an awesome family trip. They are such great travelers at that age.

Have fun!

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby ... sounds like a great excuse for a family trip!!

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

If you went with out the baby, you'd physically be there but your mind and heart wouldn't be. You'd be heart sick. You'd miss her and wished that you took her with you. You'd be wondering all the time how she was doing and what she was doing regardless of how well your DH is handling it!!! Once she is born, then make your decsion. Can you wait until then?

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would probably go as a family, but as far as pumping goes, you should definitely be able to pump enough for a long weekend. Just don't start 4 days before you're going to leave. And if you do choose to go without the baby, make sure your baby will take a bottle with no problems. I started pumping at about 2 weeks and DS started getting a bottle a day around 3 weeks because I went back to work. We were able to keep up with me BFing and pumping for 5 months until I stopped.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would go and bring the baby. While it may seem like a lot of work, at that age they are the easiest to travel with. Have fun

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby. At 3 months the baby would be ok to travel with on a plane. But if you are that concerned I can tell you that as long as you have no problems nursing then you will have more than enough milk for a weekend. They don't eat a lot at that age. But again you're not going to know your milk supply until the baby is born so I would either plan on bringing the baby or wait until the baby is born to make the decision.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I personally would bring the baby. But -if you don't - my tenant - who breast feeds her 7 week old daughter - says that she has a TON of BM stored up....so if you do go - I'm sure you will have plenty for your DH to make it through the weekend.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

Posted by chmlengr

I would go and bring the baby. While it may seem like a lot of work, at that age they are the easiest to travel with. Have fun

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would bring the baby. We flew to Ft Lauderdale with DD when she was almost 3 months old. She was a complete angel on the plane-slept the entire time. It will be much easier on everyone to just have the baby there with you. It would require a lot of pumping while you were in the bahamas to maintain your milk supply and you would probably have to dump a lot of it (which is not a fun thing to do) since you wouldn't be able to travel back with it all.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

Bring the baby. Not only will you still be establishing your milk supply, but if you leave your baby for a few days, you run the very real risk of the baby refusing to latch when you get back.

I was in a wedding when DD was 3 months and I had to pump 2 times during the reception alone. I can't imagine having to go 3-4 days like that.

I'll be honest, if you are really wanting to BF, you MUST do what is best for YOU. BFing is stressful enough.....

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

I would go and bring the baby!

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

So you all think traveling with a 3 month old on a plane is okay?

I would love for us to go as a family and see my brother get married. Maybe I am stressing to much about this.

We could leave on Friday and come back Monday, it would be a nice long weekend.

Plus my mom and dad and sister will be there too. They can help.

Message edited 1/21/2008 10:17:26 PM.

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)

It won't be as bad as you think. I travelled to FL with ds when he was 3.5 mo & it was so easy (I was by myself too).

The baby will sleep on the plane & will have already had some of his/her shots if you're worried about getting sick

Re: Ladies, I need your opinions (kinda long & really confused)