Hi folks:  I have been disconnected quite a while, so I feel that I
probably need to reintroduce myself.  I'm Judy Canahuati and live in
Honduras.  After being involved in the programmatic side of
breastfeeding for several years, I am now back in Honduras seeing moms
once more.

Today I had a rather unusual question.  I am seeing a single mother who
just completed her first week back at work.  Her baby is slightly over
two months of age and breastfeeding has been going quite well.  She
seems to have made the transition to work pretty well and is extracting
enough milk on the job to keep up with her daughter's needs.

When she returned to work, her company offered her an improved position
from the supervisory job she has been holding.  However, they said that
she would need some training and over the weekedn they informed her that
they want her to go to Mexico for training NEXT WEEK.

She doesn't want to wean the baby, but doesn't know quite what to do
about it.  Initially, she thought that she could build up enough of a
supply to have her caretaker (her mother) feed the baby while she was
gone.  However, she noted that over the weekend, she was only able to
take out 4 ozs. per day rather than the 8-10 ozs. she has been
expressing at her job.

As I discussed the issue with her mother, who had called me on her
behalf -- I raised some questions with her about what might be the
consequences of leaving this not quite three month old baby for 5 days,
what not pumping her milk from 4-6 times a day might mean in terms of
supply.

She will probably call me tonight or tomorrow to discuss this issue in
greater depth.  My suggestion was that she take grandma and the baby
with her, but, she initially felt uncomfortable about this.  She will be
going to a town outside Mexico City for the training and feels that it
might seem unprofessional to appear with her own mother and her infant.

Has someone else had the experience of counseling someone on maintaining
supply and keeping this young a baby on the breast with a physical
separation of five days...

Also, I would appreciate any suggestions on how she can work, pump, get
enough milk in the next week for her current needs and build up enough
extra for five days!  I don't think it is possible at this point... any
ideas for me/her on how to do it.

I just returned from NOMAIL and assume my subscription will be updated
by the time you all receive this, but just in case, could you copy me
privately with any response?

Thanks.  Judy
Judy Canahuati, MPhil. IBCLC
PO Box #512
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
[log in to unmask]