For not wanting to leave 6 month old EBF DS?

[gingerspiceandallthingsnice]

DS is 6 months old and I EBF by choice - he didn't fancy taking a bottle and I didn't push it ask happily fed my first for 18m.

Several Xmas socials coming up. I don't really like leaving him yet, he doesn't take a dummy and my DH struggles to settle him. He's very unsettled and teething atm.

I have a 3 course lunch meal next weekend with my friends, no occasion just a Christmas get togetber(I see them all frequently). they say bring the baby but it's not relaxing or fun for me. He is an unpredictable napper, and when he's awake he's at that age where I end up just standing and bouncing him as he gets bored and upset.

I just don't want to go, I'm tired, I'd happily pop in for a drink before they eat.

My friends seem to be frustrated with me - they all bottle fed their babies, so they don't really understand why I am not doing that. I just need a reality check - AIBU?

YANBU

If you won’t enjoy it, don’t go. It will probably be different next Christmas.

I didn’t leave DD for same reasons which is fine, it’s your life.

Or take baby and they can all have cuddles as well? I had to take middle kiddo to things as exh was fecking useless. But my friends liked the cuddles and he liked the attention haha

@SunSurfSand I thought this but realistically it's going to cost me £60+... do they really want a whingey baby there? I think they're just being polite. And in all honesty I'd love to go child free and enjoy it - it's just not the same with a baby in tow!

Tagged the wrong person somehow 🙈 @Sauvblanctime

I would go, when I took my lo he fell asleep on my friend and they loved it. Xx

Unfortunately/fortunately he will most likely behave perfectly because he is around other people. Don't go if you feel anxious thinking about it, but if you were to go I think he would behave well and everyone would wonder what all the fuss is about. This happened with my son all the time

Well @Timeforsnacks the reason I'm questioning is because I had a much lower key lunch today and he was a bloody nightmare 🤣 and that was just a casual in and out thing! He's just really unhappy atm!

Oh no! It is quite soon as well, I don't think your being unreasonable for not wanting to go. Sounds like your friends just don't want you missing out but I wouldn't go if the only benefit is to please them x

I think ultimately op you know your baby best. Ds would have been quite good when he was out in that type of setting because there was so much to watch. But equally I had friends who's wee ones would have been much more restless.

So if you feel it would be difficult bringing your little one then don't.

At 6 months I couldn't have left ds at bedtime because dh couldn't settle ds without feeding. But at lunch time there's many more options your dh would have to entertain and settle your little one. Is your lunch central? Could you go and have your dh take a walk round the shops/ for coffee/ to a soft play with your ds and then if he needs fed he can bring him to you for a quick feed? Could he take your wee one out in their pram or wear in a sling?
It's your choice if you really don't want to go, then don't. But with your little one being 6mths and starting solids soon your dh can still provide food and water which should make it a little easier for him to start settling your wee one. Around this time was when dh was able to stay longer with ds. I fully understand feeling anxiety about leaving and worrying that they'll be upset without you. You don't need to do anything until you're ready.

You've said it yourself - you don't want to go. So you don't need to go.

@Sapphire387 I think you're right. I just feel bad for letting people down and sad for missing out.

Also a comment from my best friend today to say maybe I should consider stopping feeding my baby if it means I can't attend social events.

My priority is my baby right now, and I shouldn't care what others think!

"Also a comment from my best friend today to say maybe I should consider stopping feeding my baby if it means I can't attend social events."

That 'friend' was completely out of order. Many women who formula feed don't feel ready to leave their baby at this stage. It sounds like she has little understanding of bf which is likely due to the poor culture and lack of information around it in the UK.