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]