Will this be ok?

[Crimebusterofthesea]

DS is 7 months and breastfed. Next week, I really want to indulge in some retail therapy with DM for a few hours and have some lunch. DS hates shops and doesn't like being in the pram unless he is due a nap. DH is off work next week, so I was wondering if if would be ok to leave DS with him for 5 hours or so? DS is well established on solids, but won't take a bottle. I also find it near impossible to express. Will DS be ok?

I think only you can decide that really! My DD was nowhere near ready to be left that long without breast at that age - but friends babies were quite happy.

How long have you left him previously, and was he ok then? Maybe check je is OK with 3/4 hours first?

Crimebusters well done for breastfeeding so far. Really feel for you with your DS not taking a bottle. I had a similar issue with DD1. I couldn't express enough to get her to practice taking a bottle and desperately needed a break at about 5 months. I ended up giving her formula which was tough. Not saying you should do this. Just acknowledging how hard it is! 5 hours seems a long time without a back up plan, although he will probably be fine if he has a good lunch. I think Littlewaveylines is right, only you can decide. So I have not been very helpful but just wanted to say well done and I sympathise! Ooh just a final thought, might he take some expressed milk in a doidy or sippy cup?

My ds was the same, ebf, never even tried him with a bottle. I think I left him for about 4 hours when he was 6 months, and he was fine, and he has generally been fine for 4/5 hours. I think its pretty much as littlewaveylines says - all babies are different, some may be fine with it and some not.

I always work on the basis that no matter what I have left ds to do, or for how long, I may have to go home if he needs me

I couldn't have left DS at that age as he wouldn't take a bottle and I would have panicked all day. With hindsight, he would have been fine. DH would have given him a bottle somehow or taken him for a walk to calm down if he wouldn't take it. However, I would have spent the day worrying so wouldn't have enjoyed shopping anyway. In that situation I'd have persuaded DH to meet us just before or after lunch so that I could feed DS.

That's just me though; only you know how you/DS would manage.

I probably will worry, so maybe getting DH to come and meet us is the best idea! Thank you for your replies, I know it is pretty difficult to answer as all of you have rightly said, only I know DS and every baby is different!

Well i'm going to leave 19 wk old dd for 3.5 hours on friday with my mum and dd wont take a bottle or a cup. However my mum will take dd out in pram for really long walk so hopefully be okay. Gulp. Wish me luck. I wish you luck too!

Good luck feekerry!