Would you leave a 3 yo for 3 nights?

[DitaVonCheese]

I need to go for a three day training course away from home at the end of November. DS will be about four months then so obviously needs to nurse quite often, so DH is coming too to basically sit with him in a hotel lobby and bring him in to me when necessary.

We also have a 3 yo DD, who has only been away from us for 3 nights ever (including tonight!) and only ever for one night at a time. She is also still bfing though was fine without it when I was away for another course in October. I think trying to keep her entertained in a hotel lobby for 3 days would be pretty hellish for DH and obviously he can't go far when he is looking after DS. We were therefore wondering about leaving DD with her GPs for the 3 nights while we are away but not sure if it will be too much for her. She has a great relationship with her granny and specifically asked to stay there tonight, just not sure if 3 days is too long.

Alternative is that GPs come and stay in a self-catering place nearby to entertain DD during the day, but seems a bit excessive (if more fun for everyone involved).

She is my PFB, obviously

My 3yo dd has been with gps for 2 nights in a row a couple of times. She ws fine and would be fine for 3 nights I'm sure. My only worry would be the effect upon the gps.

I would think that your DD would be totally and utterly fine and happy with GPs.

To be honest though I have to say that I would leave both of them at home with your DH. I left my exclusively BF DD2 for 3 nights when she was just 3 months old. For a few weeks in advance of the trip I had been expressing and freezing. Whilst away I expressed as near as possible to her usual feed times (pump & dump as no baby to give it to). There wasn't so much as a hiccup on my return.

All 3 of mine have spent nights with GPs from an early age and love it. It's a great experience for them - lots of fun, lots of spoiling by Granny and good for everyone to know that they are well and happy without you occasionally.

3yo should be fine given she knows grandma well - we've left ds 2 nights at a time with grandparents and he's had a whale of a time. Gps have learnt that looking after ds is fine as long as they aren't trying to do anything else that weekend - point worth reminding?

A night with ds and DH staying at home might be an idea to help you get the most out of the training - maybe see how much milk you can express beforehand? But quite understand wanting him/them there for at least part of the time!

Thanks again. Have spoken to my mum and she is happy to do it as long as my dad helps out a bit (which he is usually a bit rubbish at). Also DD will be at pre-school one day, which helps a bit.

Nelly I will try DS with a bottle in the next couple of days but I absolutely loathe expressing tbh. Took me ages the other night to get a paltry 3 oz out, can't imagine trying to produce enough for three days. Plus DH doesn't really like giving bottles for some reason. Also my boobs got sore enough when I was away from DD for three days last time (another girl there who'd left her baby went home with mastitis), despite me furiously hand-expressing in the shower, can't imagine what will happen if I'm away from both of them. Three days/nights of sleeping/not bfing would be heaven though!

yesterday I was a bit about it. Presumably it would be fine to mention my employer if it was a big commercial company but only bad because it was effectively just me setting up on my own, trying to earn a few pennies whilst also juggling small children and expensive childcare?

I think that she and the grandparents will love it. I started by having the grandparents stay in our house when we were not there.