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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Evening away from breastfed baby

12 replies

SourSweets · 05/09/2013 13:26

I'm starting to get really nervous about this... My baby is nearly 5 weeks old now and in 2 weeks my husband and I are going to see Leonard Cohen (bit of a "push present" from him to me!). He's exclusively breastfed, and has a very good latch. For that night, and a few practice times in the week leading up, I'm planning on expressing into bottles so that his grandma can feed him while she babysits.

We've also recently introduced a dummy at night which hasn't affected his latch at all.

we'll be out for about 5 hours which will be at least 2 feeds.. I'm worried that he'll prefer the bottle and won't latch as well afterwards, or that he'll be distressed the whole time we're out as breastfeeding always calms him down if he's antsy. Or that he just won't feed from the bottle and be hungry the whole time.

I suppose I'm just starting to dread being away from him for so long.. Can you honestly and realistically tell me he'll be ok and he won't be starved for the night? Is he too young for me to go?

Thank you.

OP posts:

worldgonecrazy · 05/09/2013 13:37

He will be fine. You won't be. Your boobs will be sore, so you may have to disappear to the loos to express enough to relieve any discomfort.

Try and relax and enjoy your time away. Feed him as soon as you get back.

Sammie101 · 05/09/2013 20:03

I had my first night away from BF DD when she was 4 weeks and have her expressed breast milk. She's had expressed milk a few times when I've needed a break and she's been absolutely fine taking my breast :)

I wouldn't worry about it, just enjoy your well deserved evening of fun, it's good to have a break!

Sammie101 · 05/09/2013 20:05

Also just to add, DD is very fussy with expressed milk, it HAS to be warm or she won't have it at all! Not saying your LO will be the same but just a thought! And yes, breast pads ARE your friends! Don't do what I did and forget to change them and end up with an embarrassing leakage onto dress menu

Christelle2207 · 06/09/2013 13:44

My baby is 4 weeks and I introduced bottles this week. He likes them and has not affected his latch to breast or his likeness of breast at all. Probably worth thinking about bottle teats tho - we are using Philips airflex which are supposed to good for bf babies but that might just be marketing. I wouldn't worry too much but for your peace if mind start him on bottles sooner rather than later - some babies may need some persuading!

Christelle2207 · 06/09/2013 13:47

JoinYourPlayfellows · 06/09/2013 13:49

"He will be fine. You won't be."

This!

Try to do a big feed before you go.

That will

a) empty your boobs as much as possible
b) hopefully means he sleeps for most of the time you are gone.

Also, remember that if you really don't want to go, you don't have to go.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be with your baby when he's really little.

Although bear in mind that in another fortnight he will be even more developed than he is now.

Christelle2207 · 06/09/2013 13:49

BTW if you haven't tried yet get in practice expressing, took me a few days to express reasonable quantity, and this is over a series of sessions.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 06/09/2013 13:50

Oh, and if he has a good latch and BFing is well established, I wouldn't worry at all about a couple of bottles affecting that at all.

He might not take a bottle, that's the only thing.

mimmymouse · 06/09/2013 13:50

EBF DC here who have been left overnight and have had no problem latching back on.

Dd1 had an expressed bottle daily from DH so I knew she could be left with no adverse effect. From 7 months work often took me away overnight or even a few days and she latched straight back on. At 13 months I left her for 8 days. Latched straight back on!

Dd2 was just on 6 months when left for 2 days. Am feeding her as I type! She is 10 months old.

Heed the advice above and pack your breast pump and pads- and have a wonderful time. Grandma will!

Original poster

SourSweets · 06/09/2013 13:59

Thank you all, I feel a bit better about it now. I'll give him his first bottle tomorrow. We might need to practice with the teat, the ones I've got are Tommy Tippee for newborns and have a slow flow but my natural flow is really fast (proper spurting) so he might get frustrated with them.

I've not had any luck at all with hand expressing so I'm a bit nervous about having Katie Price boobs all night. I'll definitely do a big feed before we go.

(I thought about not going but Len's getting on a bit now and I'd be gutted if I missed his last UK tour!)

OP posts:

Beamur · 06/09/2013 14:02

It will be fine and won't have any effect on continuing to bf or his latch.
I went to a wedding for an evening do when DD was exclusively bf. She fed before I went and as she would never take a bottle I didn't bother leaving one, my Mum could cuddle her and offer water if she was thirsty.
I came home with boobs like melons! DD woke as soon as I entered the room and fed like a demon! All was well.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 06/09/2013 14:08

We used Avent teats, number 2.

I also have a very fast flow and they seemed to be about right. Anything faster than that and they couldn't really cope.

The feeling of crazy freedom you will have once you go will be totally intoxicating! :)

But just remember you don't HAVE to go. You are going because you WANT to go.

So there's no pressure on this. It's not another responsibility. It's just for fun. :)

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