Strategy for leaving 5 w.o. bf baby

[Kif]

I'll need to leave my Ds with my mum for 12 hours next month - he'll be 5 wks old.

How much EBM would he need in that time? And when should I start expressing to build up the stock?

When should I introduce him to the bottle? Or should I just leave my mum to introduce the bottle on the day?

Seeing as he spends most of his time suckling on me, I presume a dummy will have to make an appearance for him to comfort suck?

[manamana]

just bumping for you as you need some good advice, I have a 4mo who has been fully breastfed and I am trying to introduce a bottle at the moment with no luck - he just doesn't know how to suck it and swallow the milk. You may have no problems but definitely don't leave it until the day, and you'll probably want to take a pump with you to express as otherwise you may be in quite a bit of pain with engorged boobs. Hope you hey some good advice and all goes well.

[manamana]

'hey' should read 'get'!

[whomovedmychocolate]

You may find it easier to cup feed with an egg cup than a bottle. DD was taking bm from an egg cup at 4 weeks - I expressed because I foolishly assumed I needed to boost my supply.

He'll probably be on two to three hour feeds but not taking all that much, a few fluid ozs so you'll need to stockpile, but not too much.

Dummies are optional btw. DD didn't get the concept till three months old and abandoned it by four months.

[catastrophewaitress]

www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
check this out for an estimate of how much ebm.personally i would say offer a bottle beforehand (let your mum do it) to make sure no issues on the day, but you can take your chances. all babies are different but as my mother-in-law once said "they don't starve themselves" so if yr DS is hungry then he'll take the bottle.

of greater concern imo is your own wellbeing for the said 12 hrs. I left DD for 12 hrs when she was 3 1/2 months old and 6 hrs into this adventure i was not just "leaking" but practically overflowing with milk (soaked top etc won't go into it). you must must must find some time to pump (even if you "pump and dump" if you think milk won't be sterile enough to give to baby afterwards), else you will become v v engorged and possibly risk blocked ducts / mastitis.

good luck hope all goes well.

[Kif]

Thanks for that