Night away from a boob obsessed 14 month old...experiences.

[toomanywheeliebins]

I am about to return to work to a new and amazing job in a month. My 13 month old is completely and utterly boob obsessed and when I'm around can ask to feed constantly and still 3 times a night. I'm not so worried about the day, my eldest was similar and as soon as she transitioned to nursery she seem to magically nap without the boob and drink dairy from a cup at milk time ( baby peer pressure). I wasted many hours of my life trying to get her to do similar for me. Ive arranged a long settling in period and am reassured that baby is apparently absolutely fine when I'm not there according to my DH and a relative who has been helping me while I interview.

Within a week of starting new job I need to go away from early mon- to late tues for a conference. I have to go and want to go. I will take my pump for comfort but wondering if there is anything we could do to prepare her for this. We were thinking about night weaning but she is thick with cold at the moment and think it is likely to take a while even when she is better. I'm going to go out for a few bedtimes to see if my DH can get her down with a cup of milk and he is well prepared that he may have to rock her in the pushchair, co- sleep, pat and basically not sleep that night. I'm a bit worried - it feels a bit cruel but I'm tired and pleased to be back to work and she will not starve and will be loved.
Thoughts and experiences??? I don't want to stop bf yet

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Could you let DH deal with a few night wakings between now and then? Could you get him to read this?

[girliefriend]

Your baby will be fine

You are going to understandably feel anxious but honestly she will be fine!!

I would more for your own comfort than anything else start to be slightly more strict on how often she feeds during the day, so maybe just feed in the morning, lunch and bedtime (at night as well if you aren't ready to night wean.) I know she is a baby but you can still say no to them - it's allowed

[toomanywheeliebins]

Thanks for all the replies. We are thinking about introducing a core night but that won't actually help for this period. DH has to work those days and look after our eldest. The conference is quite a distance. Both will be at nursery dur the day

[starballbunny]

Does she like forage fraise or baby yoghurt?

I know they are now frowned on for sugar content, but they were the one thing more formulae refusing DD1 would happily let her dad feed her instead of a bedtime BF if I wanted to go out.

I never got the hang of expressing, but yoghurt, diluted juice and a daddy cuddle seemed to work from about 7-8 months. ie when she'd use a cup. (She screamed at the sight of a bottle)

[workplaylovelaugh]

I left my DD at 15 months for two nights. My mother came to stay and between her and DH they managed, though she was angry. Apparently the second night was much easier. Sadly there was no long term change to her behaviour and she still wakes in the night for milk (now 21 months)

[toomanywheeliebins]

Damn it workplay. I had hoped

[workplaylovelaugh]

Prob my own fault- I didn't push it hard enough in the immediate aftermath. I work full time and have no energy for night time battles... You might have more will power!

[toomanywheeliebins]

Ha. I'm like you. I have no willpower but know it makes it worse. I will be doing full time hours in four days so some very long days. It will be survival mode I know

[toomanywheeliebins]

Oh god. I went out to swim this evening so we could try to get her to sleep sans boobie and it is really not going well.