Traveling and breastfeeding

So, I'm on a trip and am debating on taking my 4 month old with me vs leaving him with his nanny for a portion of the trip. He gets breast milk only and my milk supple is a little lower due to fatigue right now which is why I'd take him( so I don't have to worry about pumping enough). I was debating on possibly not taking him if I can pump enough bc of a hike that's happening during the trip. I talked with a mom friend who has older kids as I was thinking through it and she asked me if I supplement with formula. I said, I don't and then she insinuated that exclusive breast milk is a form of being controlling bc you're the only one who can feed your baby. This pissed me off! I am just looking for support I guess bc it made me feel weird and shitty to have that said to me.
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Wow. She can go take a hike (this is a hiking joke because you mentioned hiking). It’s crazy how people justify their feeding choices and shame those of others. But insinuating someone is controlling purely because they a breastfeeding, that’s truly laughable.

What ISN’T laughable is the research that supports the fact that if you use bottle nipples and pacifiers as your method of feeding and soothing, it increases the chance of ear infections, low tongue posture and narrow palate which are associated with airway issues (like snoring and sleep apnea which increase risk for heart issues). I would tell that mother “by exclusively breastfeeding, I’m choosing the best way to prevent breathing, eating, sleep, and heart issues down the road. You may call that controlling, but I call it protecting my child’s future.”

If it was me, I’d take the 4 month old with me. Pop them in a carrier and enjoy showing them the world! I’m not sure what you’re basing your supply “level” on… pumps are notoriously not as effective at removing milk as babies are so they can make you think you’re not making enough when that’s simply not the case. As long as you’re feeding your little one whenever they are hungry (and offering whenever you’re unsure), your milk supply should take care of itself. Also, it should be mentioned that while at the beginning, your breasts may seem “firm” with milk, past the 6 week mark, most women experience a “softening” of the breasts which is NOT and indicator that they are making less milk. Anyway, sorry for so many comments! Feel free to DM me!

Wow I can't believe she said that to you! Just ignore her, you're doing the right thing for you and your baby. I second everything that Lora has said and definitely take baby with you. I wish I had done more hikes when mine was that age, it gets more difficult as they get older!

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