[mibi]

i would think if you expres once or twice a day you'd be able to resume ok. But I would probably talk to the ABA and read up about relactation just to be sure. I'm just jealous - I'd love to get a break from my kids!

[HeroOfCanton]

That's incredible! I googled but mostly it came up with a condition starting with g & also something to do with a level of starvation. I wonder whether they would make enough to actually feed a child?

I don't think anyone's really looked into it TBH, I saw it referred to as 'natures backup plan' lol. So I guess there's no w ay of knowing if the milk has any real qualities etc etc.
My point to the OP was though, that if non-birth mothers and even men can start, here's no reason she couldn't try to re-start if she 'lost' her milk while away.

I did see a lot to do with starvation as well, which is interesting given the extra calories they suggest you consume when breastfeeding.

[doctorseuss]

I offer a bf to my 15 month old after no feeds for 1 week and there wasn't milk. I don't think you'll have left.

Must say i'm surprised you would leave a baby for 3 weeks, I haven left my 4 year old for more than 2 days. (not that the option is there.....)

[vääräsääri]

If you express, even a little bit, you would probably still be producing some milk by the time you return, and you might even be able to get it going again even if you didn't express during those 3 weeks (although you probably would need to, just stopping suddenly might make that trip pretty uncomfortable). As PP says, ABA and google will be your friends.

But I think an important consideration is, will your DS cooperate with that? By that age neither of my kids would've had the patience or interest to build my supply back up. They would've had a quick suck, and if very little was forthcoming, they would have soon grown bored and asked for a sandwich instead...

Good luck though!

[*Mumma-to-A*]

I think you could do it if you expressed but wouldn't that be confusing for your DS though? He could actually refuse the boob after 3 weeks at that age.

[lucky 2]

I think the confusing thing would be that mum has gone rather than the breasts as such ie mum=breasts so no mum=no breasts and also mum back=breasts back???

[Tilly77]

I wasnt actually asking people's opinion about whether or not i should leave my child for 3 weeks, i was asking about breastfeeding. I find a few of these comments very judgemental, hurtful and off topic. I love my son more than anything in this world and am pretty confident that he will not be confused or scarred by my time away.

[noi'mnot]

I don't think he'll be scarred by you going away, but I also don't think he'll be that interested in breastfeeding enough to build your supply back up when you get back to pre-leaving levels, if it has dropped dramatically. You can't make a baby of that age breastfeed if there isn't enough milk for what they want.

If I were you I would be expressing a couple of times a day, every day, whilst away just to keep at least a bit of supply going.

I agree with others, though, that you should give the ABA a call. They're the best ones to advise you on this.

Good luck.

[niggles]

I think the confusing thing would be that mum has gone rather than the breasts as such ie mum=breasts so no mum=no breasts and also mum back=breasts back???

It went something like this for us. When I wasn't there she knew the breasts weren't there and didn't ask for it. When I was back, she went straight back to it. Actually the minute she saw me in the morning she jumped up and said "Mummy!" and then "Boos!".

I wasn't gone long enough to effect my supply dramatically (plus the hand expressing each day helped I'm sure) but if you are willing to express it could well be just as straightforward. Especially as you are already mix feeding. My DD was used to having milk in a cup with her lunch, so milk in a cup in bed with Daddy before breakfast was a familiar enough replacement for breastfeeding for that week I was away. DH also thinks it went so well because there were lots of breaks to her familiar routine. They spent a few days away at his folks place, took a trip out to his Granddad's place and did lots of activities during the day, when he would normally have been at work.

I think it probably depends on your child and how much they enjoy breastfeeding as to whether they'll be interested again. And on your ability to maintain supply. Only one of those things is really in your control.

[Tilly77]

Yes, you are right, there is the possibility that he may not be interested in taking the breast after such a long time and i had not considered that. I am going to express while i am away and hope for the best upon my return.