How many bf's should a 9 mth old have and how to drop morning and lunchtime bf?

[Cakeismymaster]

Hi, I need to go back to work soon and am wondering how to approach this. Dd is happy to drink formula from a sippy cup but does still like her bf's - how many does she need at 9-10 mths? If I feed her before breakfast, tea time and bedtime/nights is that enough? She will have 3-4 old formula once or twice a day from her cup.
Also will she be upset wanting to bf when I'm not there, or will she be ok as she knows it comes from me (and I won't be there to give it)
Hope that makes some sense!

[Cakeismymaster]

3-4 ounces not old!

[Sunflower1985]

Hello,
My 9mo started nursery this week as I went back to work. Here's what we're doing. Bf in bed before we wake up. Quick bf before I drop him in nursery. 2 x 5oz formula. I'm expressing at lunch. Only get 1-2oz though - that's just me. Bf when I pick him up. Ebm with dinner. Bf to sleep. Then a few more in the night (co-sleep).

I am under no illusion that this is the ideal, it's just what's working for us. He's been fine without bf when at nursery. I've been the emotional wreck. I like feeding straight away when I collect him to reconnect.

Good luck going back. It just plain sucks I'm afraid.

[Cakeismymaster]

Thanks sunflower. Oh am dreading leaving her (despite knowing what's coming as have 2 other dc) - I think she will if much the same pattern as what you describe - and I'm sure will be feeding loads at night too..

[soupmaker]

Waves at CakeIs.

[HelenaJustina]

At 10 months my DDs were on 3 feeds, first thing in the morning, mid afternoon and bedtime. Dropped mid afternoon at 11 months (milk and snack instead).

So I'd say she'll be fine with morning, teatime and bedtime. And I think by this age, they know that bmilk comes from you, that it isn't an abstract thing that just appears when they demand it! DD4 is a really milky baby and although we're down to just bedtime feed now, I can't see her giving it up anytime soon.

Best of luck wth the return to work, must be hard to leave at any age but at 9 months onwards I think their little personalities are emerging.

[whydoIhavetodoeverything]

I went back to work recently, my dts are 9 months old. I do a b/f first thing, before bed and dreamfeed at 10pm still. At nursery they are having formula from a sippy cup mid afternoon too (they have never had bottles, taking a bit from thr cuops but no masses), so I have stopped that feed being a b/f at home to create consistency and tried formula instead. Seems to be ok. Annoyingly they have been decent sleepers until a couple of weeks ago, and now all hell has broken out and am seriously sleep deprived, work has been pretty rough as a consequence. Anyone got any decent tips on how to survive baby under 1 and working.

[whydoIhavetodoeverything]

On the upside, my babies have been great at settling in at nursery as they are still too little to experience the separation anxiety that afflicted my older dcs who started nursery later. They don't seem to be missing the b/f whilst there, tho are very glad to have it at bedtime, and me to relieve the engorgement!

[poocatcherchampion]

Morning, lunchtime, tea time and bedtime and a dream feed and one at night. No formula. I just don't offer and feed her if she is Wingy. 8mo. She had one less today as I was at work. Wasn't fussed about catching up either.

[Cakeismymaster]

Waves at soup

Thanks everyone, good to hear it shouldn't be too much of a deal with the bf's. Of course the last 2 days she's been feeding like a new born - bf's and the formula from her cup as well ! Some kind of 8 month growth spurt? She's starting to crawl so all sorts going on.