In a message dated 98-02-16 08:25:53 EST, you write:

<< Does she *really* have to be away for a week?  That's the real question.
 Away for a week even if she is pumping may result in a baby who will not
 take the breast.  But that is not the most important thing.  I cannot
 imagine what cannot be cancelled, delayed, or done with the baby with
 her.  At least suggest it.  Many mothers have such plans and then
 realize that the baby is more important than whatever they were
 planning. >>

This is sad.  I have a mom that told me she was going on a trip with her
husband -- a cruise -- when the baby was six weeks old.  Baby would be left
with her mom.  I tried dissuading her -- can't she take babe with her?
Babies, esp. bf babies, are so portable.  Can she postpone the trip?  Does she
have to go?

Sure she would miss the baby and change her mind, I didn't push any more, but
gave her all sorts of options as to how to incorporate said baby into the
trip.

She just called me with questions about pumping.  Baby is three weeks old,
she's leaving in three weeks -- yes she's going; yes, baby is staying with her
mom.  The trip is more important to her than continuing breastfeeding or
keeping her baby with her.  It is so sad.  No wonder moms want to disconnect
from their kids.  It makes it all that much easier to leave them behind while
they do something "fun."

Jan -- sad in balmy Wheaton.