Separation from Breastfed baby

by arelys
(Paterson nj )

I have a 8 month old baby boy. I'm only breastfeeding and he is eating solid food. His grandma wants to take him to Puerto Rico Starting (7-5-11) for 3 weeks but I don't have no frozen breast milk. I try to bump but I'm only making exactly what he eat every 3 hrs. What can I do? Should I tell grandma to give him his solid food with 3oz of cow milk? or Should I tell grandma to give him his solid food with 1oz of baby juice diluted with 2oz of water? I know every baby needs his breast milk every day but do you think in 3 week something bad is going to happen to my baby health if he just eat solid food with 3oz of cow milk or 1oz of baby juice diluted with 2oz of water? Also, do you think I should start the cow milk before he is 1 years old? Pleased help me? I need good advice its my first baby. :)

Answer from the lactation consultant

It is not recommended for any child under the age of 12 months to receive cows milk. And breastmilk or formula should be their primary source of nutrition for 12 months with foods and juice being complementary. You should feed him formula or preferably obtain donor breastmilk from someone to have the child fed during your absence. There is an Eats on Feets Puerto Rico group on facebook, you can find donor milk there.
Consult your pediatrician as to how much volume your child needs in the bottle.
Also, do not forget to pump your breasts while your child is away to maintain your milk supply.

All this being said, I would not recommend you being separated from a breastfeeding baby for that long. 3 weeks is a long time and could bring about premature weaning from the breast.


Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC