Am I being naive re leaving ebf DD

[KD0706]

DD is 26 weeks old, but was 8 weeks prem so many of her feeding patterns , development etc is more like a four month old.

She usually feeds every 2.5 hours in the day.
We're offering her solids as the medical advice is to do so six months from her birth regardless of prematurity. But at the moment I really don't think she's ready.

I've been offered a short term contract which will start in five weeks time. My mum will have DD for me and I'll be away from her for about three hours once a week.

I'm just thinking I can express milk and mum can try a bottle, she might be taking a bit of solids by then, my mum can probably gee her along a bit when I'm away etc.

But DH thinks we should be introducing a bottle now so we know she'll take it, and generally we should have more of a plan.

Taking this contract out of the equation I didn't otherwise intend using bottles at all.

Sorry I've started this thread twice. Typing while feeding!
Please ignore this one and I'll ask mnhq to delete it.

Thanks

I'm no expert on the premature side of things but I would honestly think she'll be just fine for three hours once a week. Yes you can express and she will get used to the bottle from your mum (though she might not ever like it from you or even your DP!)
I went back to work part time when my DD was 18 weeks. It felt so terrifying to be leaving her at the time but she's gotten on brilliantly. Now 7 months and loving solids, boob, and morning bottle (of formula at this stage). Best of luck on your return.

Well, I tried to introduce bottle to my DD when she was just 3mo as I needed to go into work for 3 days. She wouldn't have it at all! Pumped breastmilk or formula, the bottle was a big no-no. In the end my DP had to drive to my workplace for me to feed her, it was a big stress.

I think I knew that she was just a bit too young to "get" the bottle. I am due back at work full-time in 1.5weeks and I just introduced the bottle again yesterday and she went for it today - ha ra!! I'm so relieved!

I kind of agree with your DH, why not start introducing a pumped bottle now, just for her to get used to the idea. I think my DD quite liked playing with it and chewing on it today before she "chowed down", due to teething. Surely, you'll be more at ease at work if you know she'll accept a bottle while you're not there. Also, it does mean that you could have some time to yourself etc. and your DH can have a turn at feeding.

Why not head straight for a sippy or doidy cup. My lo (20 weeks) used to take t bottle no probs ( was combination fed for first 3 weeks due to TT) but has since gone off it completely so we tried him with a doidy cup and he guzzles it down. And we feel really good tat he's learning a life long skill of drinking from an open cup!

I'd skip bottles altogether TBH and try a sippy cup - my DS is 7 months and won't entertain a bottle at all, but will happily drink milk and EBF from one of those cheap free flow cups.

You might find she doesn't want any milk at all if your leaving her for 3 hours. My dd who is bit younger is ebf and I often leave her for 2 or 3 hours and she wont take a bottle. I always leave one but she never takes it

Hi everybody thanks for all the comments.

I'm going to try her with a bottle this weekend as I have a three hour training session on a couple of weeks so I'll have to leave her for about four hours then.

I really don't want to be giving her a regular bottle as I can't be bothered expressing and don't want to give her formula (no comment on others just my personal preference).

I think within a few months she will definitely be able to wait for my return so this is just a temporary problem.

I had a work meeting yesterday and left her for three hours with no issues, she's a very content little thing.