Going back to work with 10 month old

[helens82]

Hi,
I'm due to go back to work in a six weeks when DS will be 10.5 months. So far he is ebf alongside solids. I have rarely expressed as I find it very difficult. At the moment I feed he mid morning and mid afternoon (though he does not always want these) and then at bedtime/during the night.
I was thinking of just giving him snacks during the day when at nursery (yogurt, fruit, rice cakes) but at the moment he will sometimes refuse and only take milk. However, I know that this is a new change for him. The other problem is that he drinks very little water so I am worried he could get dehydrated without milk.
Would he be OK during the day without milk or should I look at giving him some formula from a cup or bottle. Also are there different teats for older babies (haven't given him a bottle for months!) and is there any difference between brands or formula.
Sorry for the long post, but this seems a big change from on-demand breast-feeding
Thanks

I'm doing it the second time at 9 months just about now - don't worry. Neither of my children seem terribly interested in expressed milk nor formula when I'm not around, but just stick to solids plus boob in the evening.

Just play it by ear. As long as water is offered there is no risk of dehydration. Just let nursery try different options and go from there.

It does seem like a big change, but your little one will surprise you by being very adaptable! I've gone through this with two boob loving boys at a similar age and they were just fine. DS1 particularly would not touch milk of any description until I gave up bf but ate well at nursery and took water.
Be prepared that your DS might fall on you the second you walk through the door to reclaim his bf! This will tail off with time. He might also sneak in extra daytime feeds at the weekend or on your days off
And if you hope to continue breast feeding, I managed to carry on with two feeds, then just a bedtime feed for (ahem) months and month and months....
Good luck and make sure you try to enjoy the last few weeks of leave with your little boy - don't spoil it by stressing you both out by trying to make him take a bottle - some things are honestly better tried when mummy and her gorgeous boobs are not there to tempt !

Hi, just wanted to say I have been back at work for a month and my breastfed 10 month old has adapted really well. I tried expressing at work and sending him to nursery with the milk for a week or so but he never really wanted it and is quite happy to just have solids/water until back home with me again. He doesn't drink much water in the day but has a big bf first thing in the morning, one at 5 ish after nursery and another at bedtime so is getting plenty of fluids I think.

I stressed about this before I went back so I know how you feel, but things will very likely just fall into place once you start back.