Going away w/o 16m DS for a week

[Mummagumma]

There's a week-long residential course I would very much like to do at some point in the next year, as in about 12 months from now DP and I would like to start TTC a second child. Unfortunately, DS will not be able to come too, so will stay at home with his dad. The course runs once a month or so.

I'm trying to decide when would be the least traumatic time for him to be away from me, between the ages of 16 months old and 2 years 3 months. I am at home with him, and he co-sleeps with us and BFs, so he's used to me always being there. The thought of him missing me makes me so sad, and it'll be hard for DP to deal with that as well as having sole charge for a week. Not sure what to do. I've only ever been away from DS for a couple of hours, so I'd probably miss him desperately too.

So, what do you think is the least traumatic age to be away from a toddler, within this time frame? I don't have to go at all; it would be disappointing not to, but not the end of the world.

Does he take a bottle if you are not there?

If you go with a bit further down the line like around 2 then you can prepare him and you for it, eg not bfing in the night - as that is gonna be what he'll miss the most I would think. And your boobs will probably be like rocket launchers by the end of the week if he's not weaned first lol. That would be my approach but it depends how long you wanted to do that for in the first place. If you weren't planning to stop then don't stop on account of the course if you get me.