Is it possible to have a life while BFing?

[missbumpy]

I've just failed my driving test and I'm 36 wks pregnant. I need to try and book some more lessons and a new test date for after the baby arrives.

I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I just can't imagine how I'll have driving lessons and a test while BFing (which is how I'd like to feed my baby). I feel a bit like I'm going to have the baby physically attached to me pretty much all of the time until I wean it. Is that the case or is it possible to get into good routines/express milk etc so that you can do other things (like pass a driving test )? Or am I crazy for planning to retake my test when the baby's small?

[jellybelly25]

Is it your first baby? Don't give up on driving!!! Keep going!
IME baby is indeed attached to your chest constantly for about 4-6 weeks, then it starts to get easier to do stuff (give or take a few growth spurts here and there). Driving lessons are only an hour though, you will prob be able to do that even withoutt expressing if you feed lo before you go out. And if you get into good habits with expressing milk even better.

It really does get easier though. Good luck!

[francagoestohollywood]

I'd wait until the baby is in "some sort of a routine". I'd say that when mine were 2 months old I could more or less predict at what times they wouldn't need to feed and could be left with someone else.

[evilreturns]

you WILL be able to have a life and bf. honestly. you might find you have a very obliging baby who actually is very happy feeding every 3-4 hours - they do exist! but even if you don't (they are a rare breed i'm afraid!), after the first few weeks when you get going and get to know one another, if you feel up to it, there's no reason why you can't leave a demand fed baby for an hour or so to have a driving lesson. especially if you do manage to express.

but don't worry about all that now - if you're 36 weeks, make a note on your calendar for, ooh, about dec 1st and see what you think about driving then! best of luck

[PrettyCandles]

Youi won't need to change anything in order to take a driving lesson (except perhaps a nappy beforehand ). After a few weeks babies generally stretch their feedgn intervals a bit, and evcen if your sdoesn't you can leave a bottle of ebm (or even formula) to allow you a chance to get out for an hour or so.

However, IME it's very difficult to get your brain into gear in the last weeks of pregnancy and the first weeks of maternity. Personally I'd put off driving lessons for 2-3 months and start over again when the baby's a couple of months old - or earlier if you feel up to it when the time comes.

[Jackstini]

Like JB says, don't try anything for the first 4-6 weeks. You don't know how your sleeping patterns will be and driving lessons/test are not ideal when your are feeling shattered - as you may be with a new baby the first few weeks.
BFing can be every 1-2 hours at first but it does get much easier so no, you will not be physically attached to your baby until weaning - promise!
I was ok leaving dd for a couple of hours at about 6-8 weeks. This grdually got longer as she went onto solids and for about the last 6 months I can go all day just bf-ing first & last thing (dd is 17 mo)
An hour's driving lesson should not be a problem after a few weeks but make sure you feel mentally and physically ready.
All the best for your impending arrival!

[StealthPolarBear]

I still feel as though DS (20 weeks) is attached to me and can unpredictably demand a feed at any time. But I have found when I've left him with someone else that he does tend to space out his feeds a lot more (every 3 hours). Whether he associates me with milk and so thinks of feeding more when I'm here (a bit like me with chocolates in the fridge) or whether I use feeding as a way to soothe him when I don't need to I don;t know.
And on that note - feed time
Good luck with the birth!

[Cappuccino]

you will be too tired to take your test whether you are bfeeding or not

you will drive into a post

[missbumpy]

Thanks everyone. Yes, it's my first baby and I just can't get my head around how I'm going to cope with the first few weeks. My driving instructor was saying not to worry and that I should just book another test for after the baby arrives. I was thinking all the things you've all said (eg. childcare, exhaustion, breastfeeding, general post-natal fuzzy-headedness etc) and wondering when and if I'd ever have the opportunity to try to pass my test again.

Some people have told me to try again before the baby comes but I've only got a few weeks and I actually feel like I could pop any moment now! Frankly, I don't think I could deal with the stress.

Thanks again.

[Jacanne]

My friend is BF her 3rd baby, only a few weeks old. We all got a surprise invite to another friends house for lunch while we were out and she said "Let me just check, got nappies, wipes and boobs - yep I'm fine" and she was. So it can actually be quite liberating when you BF once you get used to it - you can do things at the drop of hat

[Paulatwinmum]

i breastfed my twins for 7 1/2 months. felt like i didnt stop because to start with they fed separately. to my friends i was Daisy!!! you will feel tired but i have friends of singletons and they have been fine-out and about everywhere whilst breastfeeding - i was totally jealous!!! twin so called father left when i found out i was pregnant - still doesnt see them and has never given any money. they are 15 months old and great. i have good parents to support me. As long as you have a good support around you can do it now or after baby born. sometimes you need to just make time for yourself and be a bit selfish. it took me a long time to discover this....

[maxbear]

I think it depends on the baby. Mine both fed lots from the beginning and I didn't like to leave them for more than an hour or so as they were unpredictable feeders. Having said that I did not make an awful lot of effort to get them to take bottles and I'm sure that they would have done if I'd tried. I found with both mine routine suddenly came at 6 months, it was not difficult before that but I wouldn't have been happy to take a driving test. But I am a bit pathetic and don't like them to be upset and so I would never leave them.

[maisym]

I passed my test when dd was 12 weeks & was bf. I bf before lessons and before my test. I was away for 2hrs max for lessons and perhaps a bit longer for the test. Was fine. Do you have someone who can look after your little one - walking around, holding your baby even if crying? Good luck - having my dd made me so determinded to pass as I had to be able to drive - this really helped me focus.

[Jackstini]

Maisym - what a great positive post for MissB! Great to know it can be done.

[seeker]

Bear in mind that I had uncomplicated pregnancies, quick births and recoveries - and STILL didn't feel I had enough brain left to drive safely for a while afterwards. And I had been driving for years. I'd give yourself a month or so off, if I were you. You'll have plenty to keep you busy

[bookthief]

Ds was born in late November and I went out to do some last minute Christmas shopping leaving him with dh when he was about 3 weeks old. Probably for the same length of time as a driving lesson roughly!

After the first couple of months (when quite honestly you'll just be getting your head round being a mum) things were definitely settled enough for me to go out for a couple of hours without ds no problem.

[LadyofWaffle]

Have only read first post so sorry if I repeat anything! You will be pretty sore and tired for at least a few weeks anyway, driving will be the last thing on your mind! After that, you can asses the times when your baby might be OK left with a bottle of EBM (always handy to keep some in freezer if your baby skips a meal, or has a long sleep or you feel engorged) and that will give you enough time to have your lessons. x

[missbumpy]

Thanks everyone. Maisym, it's good to know that other people have managed it. Like you, I'm determined to pass because I think I'll need to be able to drive the baby around (it'll be so much easier doing things like going to the doctors or the supermarket if I can drive).

Paula, Sorry about your ex. It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job.

[maisym]

Go for it missbumpy - if you can have loads of lessons now (I found reversing difficult when preg!!) and then have some lessons grouped on a few days before your test. This is how I did it. I found having my dd really made me so able to do my test - nothing like a mothers will to get things done Good luck with the birth and the driving (I'm also 36 wks!!)