Dropping afternoon feed, a bit sad about it and finding excuses not to do it!

[MiniMarmite]

DS is one and I'm dropping his afternoon feed as I'm going back to work soon so he'll just have a feed in the morning and evening from now on. The plan is to give up breastfeeding altogether by the end of the year (but this isn't set in stone just think I might want a bit of a break before (hopefully) getting pregnant again)

I feel a bit sad about it but also not sure whether to replace the feed with a beaker of cow's milk or not. He hasn't really taken much milk from a beaker so far and doesn't drink much water (although he drinks plenty with meals). He already has a fruit or rice cake snack at about 4 p.m.

I'm concerned about him getting enough food/liquid.

If it were someone else I'd probably just recommend offering a yoghurt and some water...maybe I just don't want to give it up!

If you don't want to give it up, feed him on the days you are with him and stop on the others. Whoever is looking after him can offer him some water and yogurt or a beaker of cow's milk when you're not there. My dd3 is 13 months and sometimes she has 3 feeds in a day, sometimes none (if she stays with my mother overnight). I don't think you have to give up a feed you both enjoy every day just because you work some of the time.

I guess I don't want him going to a childminder to be any more difficult for him than necessary so I thought by taking that feed away before I go back means he won't miss it on the days I am at work.

It sounds like it works for you and your DD being flexible about it though. Definitely something to think about.

He won't miss it on the days you're not there, because he will know that you're the only one who can give him it.