To consider formula for my bf baby in this situation? Suggestions welcome please

[Mummyofmay2020]

I will be having surgery done, so will be away from bubba for up to a whole day. Nervous about having to leave her with family but dont have a choice. She's almost 8 months, very attached to me and loves breast feeding although has started solids. Health visitor suggested pumping and freezing in preparation, but I struggle to get much from pumping so will take a fair while to build a decent stash. Someone suggested just giving formula for the day and using formula in her food or giving a bit here and there in a bottle to get her used to it before the day. Any thoughts welcome please. Should I:

A) at least attempt pumping and storing what i can
B) formula
C) something i haven't thought of

I'd also just get some ready made formula.

A few posters suggested cows milk but I don't think that's recommended as a drink until 12 months (fine used in cooking)

As a childminder, I am quite used to having breastfed babies left with me for the day and refusing all attempts to take milk from a bottle or cup. For one day, if you can’t express, I would buy a couple of cartons of Formula milk and leave those with baby. If they are hungry they will drink them, but (and I’m assuming your baby has taken well to solids) they will be ok for one day with just their food. Leave extra food, I’m thinking quite wet foods like fruit to keep them hydrated and keep offering water. And expect baby to feed a lot when you get back to them.

I had to leave my own baby for the same reasons, although she was slightly older. she was fine with her grandparents for the day. I ended up having to stay in Hospital over night and she settled for them fine, with no milk,just cuddles.

I hope your surgery goes well

I’d try pumping from the opposite breast while feeding to increase the amount collected. It always worked for me. I’ve heard great things about the haakaa pumps for this too.

haakaaofficial.co.uk/breast-pumps/

I’d maybe have some ready made formula on hand too though just in case or even just full fat cows milk if it’s only going to be for a day. Has your baby had a bottle before? That was the biggest problem with both mine, I couldn’t find a teat that they would take so they both ended up drinking from a hard cup like this

www.homebargains.co.uk/products/13902-tommee-tippee-free-flow-first-cup.aspx