Katie--I don't believe in "nipple confusion" for a 7 week old who has been
nursing well previously.  Once the baby becomes adept at bfing, why should
he/she suddenly forget how over 48 hours?

The issue, IMO, is that a baby may justifiably feel abandoned by the person on
whom he/she relies for everything!  Babies don't understand that Mom will be
home "soon".  If she is gone, then she is gone!  When I see bfing problems in
a situation such as you have described, I consider it more a nursing strike,
or br refusal.  The baby is reacting to his/her abandonment and will need time
to learn again that it is okay to trust this person.  Mom's need to be aware
that a short "vacation" from baby may carry consequences for both of them.
What if her husband came home and said he planned to divorce her, then left
for 48 hours.  When he comes home and says "Just kidding...ha ha" how would
she react when he wants to share intimacy later on??  Bfing is a very intimate
action...and you have to base intimacy on trust!  Wishing her luck....

Diane DiSandro, BA, IBCLC
Audubon, PA--LC in private practice