Help! Going into Hospital over Night, Have Breast Feeding Baby

Is there a chance this could be a good time to stop the feeding? If she is older than one maybe it's time...hope I am not being too harsh, I breast fed until my daughter was one and it was more traumatic for me than for her whe nwe stopped...just a thought:)

Pump and let dad feed her in the night while you are home so its not so hard. just dont let toddler see you, makes it harder for them. I work third shift three days a week so i had to pump at work and my husband was on feedings. we practiced a few times before i went back to work and had no problems after.

Hi
Has the toddler used a bottle or sippy cup. Maybe you should pump some milk and have your husband give it to her before your surgery so that she or he can get used to it.

R., to me these responses for the most, seem negative about your choice to breast-feed a toddler & not what you are looking for...My advise would be to contact your local La Leche League leader to help guide you. Their web site is: http://www.lllusa.org. You can then find the local group in your area. I've always found their advise to be very helpful and non-judgmental. They may also direct you to Thomas Hale's book which gives info on how various meds affect breast milk. I breastfeed my toddler too...More power to you!

When my son was 10 months old I ended up in the ER with appendicitis. He was nursing a lot at night and had never fallen asleep without nursing. I nursed him just before they started giving me pain meds, then handed him off to Dad. Not only did they have no problems for the two nights I was in hospital, but even now at age 5 they still have their special bedtime ritual. In fact, when my husband goes away for a few days on business he needs to update me on what they do!

Since you have the luxury of a secheduled procedure, I would present it to her like a grand adventure, a special time for her and her daddy and show genuine excitement for them and she'll be fine.

Hi R.!

The choice is yours to continue to nurse and no one should be judging you here... you just asked for advice on an overnight! So ignore the nonsense responses and concentrate on the support you have been given from a number of the other moms.

Personally, I would be in the same boat as you if I needed surgery. ;)

I have left my toddler alone with his daddy once so far, and they got into my bed and watched some toddler television shows on our tv. He fell asleep about an hour late, but he did fall asleep without issue.

My husband did make one mistake... he moved him at about 2am, and tried to put him in his own bed. He woke up and then there were big problems! So in our experience, I would suggest letting her fall asleep with your husband, and letting her sleep there for the one night.

I mean it's just one night! Keep it simple for everyone and I think they will make it through!

Good luck, and try not to stress too much. :)

Hi R.,

You did not say how old your baby was, but mentioned toddler. I am going to assume that your toddler eats some solids as well. She will be fine!!!! I am sure your husband is very capable and loving with her. I know it is hard as mom to let go, but sometimes you need to let go. the first time you leave your child is always the most truamatic. please remember, that it will be more traumatic for you than for her. bring it down to the basics and think about.... she will not starve, she will be safe, she will be well loved in your absense. she may cry a little more that usual, and your husband may not get much sleep, but they will both get through it. please also remember, if she is over a year old, she is only nursing in the middle of the night for comfort, not for nourishment. If you have time before your hospital stay, pump so that she can have a bottle of what she is used to before bed.... just think on the positive side... this may be the start of her learning to fall asleep without the breast, and go back to sleep durning the night with our it too. (something she will need to learn sooner or later)

I hope my advice has not been too harsh. I am trying to give you a realistic perspective (which is very hard to get as a mother when you have to leave your child overnight) I remember how hard is was for me the first time, but I did survive and so did my children. it was a positive experience and have done it many times since.

good luck to you with your proceedure.

W.

I think as a mother, if you choose to breastfeed your child you have the responsibility to ween your child from breastfeeding at an appropriate age not only to begin to develop independance, but also to begin to instill good sleep habits which include sleeping through the night. I think it is also important to teach your child to not only breastfeed, but to drink from the bottle and or sippy cup. That way in case something does happen and you are not able to be there breastfeed you will not have to worry that it will be traumatic for her. I understand that it is an important bonding time for you and your child, but there are also other ways to bond with your child. I was not able to breast feed my twins because I delivered them 9 weeks early and my milk did not come in. I hope everything works out for you and your child.

Pump, pump, pump away. It will be alot of work but you will feel better knowing the baby is at least getting what they need. You have to trust dad, regardless. For some reason we do not give dads enough credit, they do not do things like we do but at least they try. Give up the control and let him do what he can.

I am not sure myself, I am done breastfeeding. But, can you pump into some bottles for the night? Feed him until you go, and then pump for at least as much as you can. Ask about medicines. I had day surgery, but still was on medicine a week later. So check into all that before hand. It may not be you choice, but milk or formula, He/she wont starve. Take care and best of luck. Alison

hi R., i just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that it will be fine. i had surgeries while nursing each of my 1st 2 kids, they were fine. just leave plenty of milk for her and you can give her a special picture of you to sleep with, my son did that on his own, i cried! let daddy make it an adventure, maybe she can have a sleepover with him or something special, go "camping" or a picnic dinner in the livingroom, or dinner in bed or something. and a good idea would be to really tire her out during the day. can she have a practice run, sleep over grandmas or something? sadly (or not) i have found that my kids are a lot more resillient than i give them credit for! they always deal much better than i think they will, i am the one with the attachment disorder ;) if possible, keep your cell phone on and let dad have her call you if she wants to. oh, and if you dont want to stop nursing, which it sounds like you dont, then tell the people who are telling you to stop to go scratch! best of luck to you, D.

You need to pump as much as you can,

have everything perpared for her, her blankey and pacifier
everything,

ASk the doctor if your are allowed to nurse after the procedure and if not for how long, because of the anesthesia?
Or medication.

Make sure you explain to your husband what she needs, how to prepare frozen breast milk, NOT to use the microwave and why.

Other than that, there is not much you can do,
she is with her father, she will be fine, --She will miss you, but she will be fine, and you will be back cradling your little nugglet of Joy in a few hours after the surgery is completed,-- your Daughter and husband could probably spend the night at the hospital, But I really think its best if she stays at home.

Best wishes for a successful surgery, and speedy recovery,
ANd my prayers for you and your family.

M
http://www.bahaiprayers.org/

http://www.bahaiprayers.org/healing1.htm

I wish you the very best with your medical challenge... We as parents are in control of the "behaviors" of our children...If we want any parenting situation to change, We as parents have to change... You did not say how old the baby is, but eventually she will be weaned from nursing. Before you go into the hospital, do several "practice runs" with your husband in the drivers seat. Look at it as some bonding time with daddy and his little girl...

Now is a great time and the best time to introduce the bottle...

I think it will be more traumatic for you, babies adapt quicker and better than we as parents think they do. So for your piece of mind begin the weaning process now.

You sound like you are a strong Mom, who just needs to feel, and make this "transition" as uneventful as possible for the baby and your husband. You'll do just fine...

C.

It is past time to wean your daughter. How long did you plan to continue?

Babies generally respond to comfort, smell and taste. Keep an old tee shirt or article of clothing that has your smell on them and if you cant pump enough breast milk fo the entire time start by mixing formula and breast milk and you feed her the bottles at first to transition the baby. Have your husband hold the baby the way you do. This should make your transition easier on everyone.

Hi R.:

I went thru this when my daughter was just over a year. I realize no one is a substitute for mommy, but what we did was a girlfriend of mine & my mom alternated rocking with her, held by their bosom .... not the same, but did get her to sleep. Also, if your daughter will take a bottle of pumped breast milk, that makes it so much easier.

Good luck ... hope all goes well.

Chanayo

I would not worry about it. Just provide a bottle of breastmilk so daddy can give it too her, and maybe give her your unwashed pillowcase or a blanket to sleep with. She will be fine. You should let daddy comfort her..it will be good for both of them.

At the risk of sounding terrible, she will be fine. Sounds
like there is no choice. If you have some time, try
changing routine etc. Necessity necessitates. Good luck.

Hi R.,

I see the responses the others have given you, and I just want to add that I ended up in the ER and admitted to the hospital for a pretty serious situation, but I was determined to not give up breastfeeding under those conditions- I wanted to do by making my own choice-- I am just determined in that way... So, when the breastmilk was gone in the freezer, I actually pumped in the ER AND my hospital room... There are "hospital grade" pumps in the hospital- which is why they are called hospital grade- they are the best and strongest pumps out there. You can ask if you can pump there- the nurses will supply you with the proper pump materials. Basically, they get it from the birthing center in the hospital. If your hospital does not have that, then since you know when you are being admitted and have that advantage, you can check this out ahead of time. It was my mother who was in town who ended up feeding my baby, because my husband had to be in the hospital with me. Yes, you have a choice to stop breastfeeding and you also have a choice to decide to continue, even though it is quite a difficult task. Oh, and yes, we had "runners" - family members who picked up the milk from the hospital and brought it to my mom to feed the baby. My situation was extremely difficult, but I made that choice to continue and I wanted to do that...

best of luck,

C.

Hi R.,
All the best with the procedure.
Just curious about a couple of things:
How old is your toddler?
How frequently do you nurse at night?
Do you co-sleep?
When is the procedure?

I ask because I co-sleep and nurse my 14 month old. Although I want to continue nursing, about 2 weeks ago her dad and I began the process of night weaning which meant dad had to take a more active role in nighttime parenting. He's swayed/rocked her to bed (though when I don't nurse her to sleep she'd more apt to fight-staying up two hours later than usual) And I've slept in a separate room for a couple of days. I say all this and perhaps you are not interested in night weaning, which is fine-just an option. I asked when the procedure is because perhaps you'll have some time to try different things/do some practice runs. Will your daughter take a bottle if you're not around? In sum, the bottom line is dad taking a more active role starting soon in preparation of your overnight departure if possible. If that's not possible, your daughter will be taken out of her routine for a night but she'll eventually go to sleep so it will all be okay. It might be rough for her and her caretaker that night, but it's just one night.

P.S. After reading some of the following posts, I wanted to add that I think it's wonderful that you still nurse your toddler. As we all know, the psychological, emotional and immunological benefits don't just stop when a baby turns one. Some of the most independent kids I know were breastfed. Keep on sis!