Demand BF and going out

[Scout19075]

How do other people manage....

I demand EBF. Fine and no problems so far -- DS goes everywhere with me (is 9 1/2 weeks). My hubby and I will be going to a school reunion of mine when in the States next week and DS's grandparents have offered to babysit for a few hours. The evening is informal and is just everyone meeting for drinks at one of the few watering holes in the little town we went to school in. The US isn't like here where you can take handhelds to the pub. So.... how should I hsndle the feeding? Does anyone have any suggestions? We'd only be out 2-3 hours....

If you will only be 2-3 hours, then feed just before you leave and leave some expressed milk or formula for the GPs to feed him if he asks for it. He might want it or he might not.

Does that help? I don't really know what else you are asking.

Thanks Bertie. Would you use a bottle or a cup? He's never had a bottle before and not sure I want to introduce one while we're on holiday and in a "new" place (new to him, obviously not new to me as I grew up there). If he's hungry enough, will he take a bottle if he's never had one before? Some nights he feeds more frequently than others (every 45-90 minutes) and I can't bear to think of him crying for food and refusing what's offered....

I've demand-fed both my babies and in your situation I would probably get my DH to try a bottle of expressed milk to see how your DS gets on. If all goes well then I'd be happy to leave a newborn with a bottle of expressed.

Can you really not take a baby to the pub in the US?

I used to leave DS2 when he was around 10 weeks and DH used to just wheel him around the streets in a buggy and he'd never feed, just sleep.

I will try this week. I have a few bottles already -- in case bf didn't work (because of my health problems). It's very cold and icy at home right now, so don't want to ask Mom to take DS out at night unless necessary (more worried about Mom in the weather than DS).

And pubs at home tend to be just bars or nightclubs, so have to be 21 to enter. BF isn't as encouraged/emphasized there, so I don't think any of my classmates have my worry (from what I can tell one-fourth of us had babies in 2009).

Ah I see - yes I would just use a bottle. Your supply should be established enough for it not to interfere and it is only a very small handful of babies that will refuse a bottle at this age. Trying one beforehand will probably stop you worrying about it as well.

Enjoy your school reunion