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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave baby for evening

64 replies

HellsBellsTrudy · 09/10/2026 19:31

Hi all, lookIng for advice and posting here for traffic.

I have an 8 almost 9 month old breastfed baby who used to take a bottle but now doesn’t.

I have a night out planned for Sunday (haven’t done anything without kids for months) and have been trying to get her to take a bottle or either formula or pumped milk and she absolutely will not take it!

She will take some from an open cup and is on 3 meals a day already!

WIBU to go even though she won’t have a full meal feed in that time?

I’ll be gone around 3pm to 11pm at the latest?

Can’t stop worrying but really want this evening!

OP posts:
Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

Pedicureplease · 09/10/2026 19:34

They will be fine OP. My DD is now 19 months but breastfed until 14 months. I used to be so worried about leaving her with my husband as she was also a bottle refuser, but she drank out of a cup fine and ate good amounts of solid foods. Was absolutely fine x

OhHobnobs · 09/10/2026 19:36

Can you make the night out a short and very local pub trip, timed for in between feeds? (For your own peace of mind that you aren't far if baby needs you to pop back to top them up?)

Error404FucksNotFound · 09/10/2026 19:36

Test whether she will take the milk from someone else if you are not in the house.

Pedicureplease · 09/10/2026 19:37

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

Did you miss the part where the OP said she will drink milk from an open cup? To suggest a breastfeeding mother can’t leave an 9 month old (so not even a newborn) for more than an hour is very odd, particularly one who will drink milk from a cup.

NimbleTaupeTiger · 09/10/2026 19:37

If your baby is hungry they will eat. Leave food and milk with the sitter. You may find that when breast is not available, they will have bottle.

Goldengirl123 · 09/10/2026 19:37

Doesn’t she have solids? If she does she will be fine

Playdoughcaterpillar · 09/10/2026 19:37

She's eating 3 meals? So she won't starve. Does she drink water? If so she will be fine.

Changingfornow123 · 09/10/2026 19:38

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

Wow!
I returned to work when DD was just over 9 months, she never took a bottle.
But as with OP she was eating 3 meals and drinking water. As soon as I got to nursery I fed her.
OP it might be a bit uncomfortable if you've never gone that long between feeds.

Livingthebestlife · 09/10/2026 19:40

I know it's a long time since I had babies, but she's eating 3 meals a day and will drink milk from an open cup ? Isn't this enough ? How much more does she need that you need to stay ?

Anothercake · 09/10/2026 19:40

Personally I wouldn't, but if you are happy with it then she'll be fine if pretty pissed off. I wouldn't enjoy my night out knowing my baby wasn't drinking much or settling well, so there wouldn't be much point.

WashinIsNeverDone · 09/10/2026 19:43

Ive had 5 kids and yeah I would leave them. But bedtime might be a right bitch.

Also be prepared for the never ending feedinf when you get back. Its like they make up for it

Most people go back to work at 9 months and its no differnt to that

Meand2Ls · 09/10/2026 19:44

It depends how she eats. I could leave mine as long as u was back by her first wake up about 8 months even though she didn’t take a bottle because she ate full meals + smack ny then and was down to just morning then her night feeds for milk

Llttledrummergirl · 09/10/2026 19:45

Baby is eating food so relying less on milk

One night out won't hurt them. I assume theywon't be home alone Grin Go out and enjoy yourself.

SapphireOpal · 09/10/2026 19:45

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

My child was only on 2 milk feeds day by 1 - I could have left him for 12 hours without missing a feed 😂 under 1 month old maybe. Under 1 - don't be so ridiculous.

VerifyYouAreHuman · 09/10/2026 19:50

Of course you should have your night out 😘.

AgnesMcDoo · 09/10/2026 19:56

She drinks from a cup and eats food.

Of course you can go out.

have a great night.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2026 20:16

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

Bully for you.

OP go out and have fun.

runnerducky · 09/10/2026 20:17

Sounds fine to me, enjoy!

bunnypenny · 09/10/2026 20:18

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

I wish there still was a laughing emoji.

TheBossOfMe · 09/10/2026 20:21

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

Seriously? They’re eating 3 meals a day and drinking from a cup. The method of delivery of nutrition is kind of irrelevant.

JLou08 · 09/10/2026 20:21

She will be fine. Go and enjoy yourself, she's not going to starve when she has 3 meals a day and drinks from a cup.

Fidgety31 · 09/10/2026 20:21

Surely baby is weaned and sleeping through at that age by now ! Of course you can have nights out !

Pinkflamingo10 · 09/10/2026 20:22

I’ve had three breastfed babies, and I am still breastfeeding my third who is 2 years old.
I think if your baby takes milk of from a cup and eats meals /snacks they should be fine for your evening out. They can have comfort and cuddles with daddy or whoever is looking after them, and they can have milk offered in a cup or sippy cup or whatever receptacle. None of my three took bottles at all.
I would bring a hand pump in my handbag in case you get engorged and sore etc
have a lovely time ! X

stichguru · 09/10/2026 20:24

Shoobadadoo · 09/10/2026 19:32

No I wouldn’t be leaving a child under 1 for more than an hour that doesn’t take a bottle of milk.

I was back at work when DS was 9 months. He hadn't taken a bottle since he was 3 months, He had water and finger food. Even a new born baby doesn't need a bottle of milk or equivalent breast feed every hour!