Expressing at 18 weeks

[Carta60]

Hi DD is 18 weeks old and doing well. I have exclusively breast fed her until now. She is gaining good weight and
a good feeder.
I am reaching a point where I would like to go out occasionally in the day and could leave DD with DH.... for a few hours max just to get hair cut etc and do a bit of Christmas shopping.

I have a breast pump and have easily expressed quite a bit of milk as a trial. However I still feel guilty about leaving her a bit with a bottle of expressed milk... do you think it's likely she'll accept a bottle after so many weeks and is she likely to miss the comfort if I'm away? On the other hand I've not left her yet more than half an hour and I really think I could do with a couple of hours headspace. Would welcome your thoughts xx

[JagerPlease]

It's possible she may refuse a bottle at this stage but certainly worth trying. Your DH is probably better to try than you just because it will be less confusing for her. Otherwise maybe a cup? Or timing going out so it's between feeds? Please don't feel guilty about wanting a break at all!

[Beansprout30]

My lg is exclusively breast Fed and refuses a bottle but I go out once a week to ride my horse, I just give her a big feed before I go and she's normally happy for 3-4 hours. I leave her with my mum and she's great at settling her with cuddles if she needs comfort.

[Liskee]

I'm currently attempting to get DS to take a bottle. It's not easy and it's not happening quickly. Two weeks now and only today did he manage an oz of EBM with minimum fussing. If you've any issues Google the shit out of 'getting a BF baby to take a bottle'. There are loads of great tips and suggestions out there. We all need a break every now and then. It won't hurt baby and it'll do you the world of good to get a break so go for it and good luck!

[caffeine99]

At 18 weeks the baby may refuse the bottle but it's worth a try! If the bottle fails you might also consider using an open cup - it will be messy but will work!

Both of mine were/are breastfed and would've been left with expressed milk so I could go to the cinema or to get my hair done.

It's good to get a little time to yourself - enjoy the break!