Dreading leaving bubba:(

[pinklips]

I so so so so so worried about going back to work and leaving my baby!

I have an 11 month old baby who is still breastfed but refuses any other form of milk or product to feed it to her. We have tried cups, bottles, sipping cups etc but nothing works. She is so attached to me and just loves falling asleep whilst feeding on me. She still wakes frequently in the night to feed on me and I am so worried I'll be like a zombie at work the next day. I don't want to go back and I usually love it but I'm so scared!

I feel the same, despite having a formula fe, very social, no-separation-anxiety-who-the-hell-are-you-anyway-mummy? little girl.

Do you absolutely have to go back?

It's probably not much help but I felt exactly the same and in the end I decided not to go back.

I just did not want to go back and knew I wanted to be at home with dd.

I'm in pretty much the same position. I'm due back to work in 2 weeks, (2 days a week until after easter, then 3 days).

My DD has just started her settling in sessions with the childminder (who I am extremely happy with btw), which are going okay but I think she's finding it hard. She cried when I left yesterday (although apparently only for a couple of minutes) and when I picked her up (although assume this is the relief). I can't stop crying about it but am assuming it will get easier with time.

Can't offer any advise, but wanted to let you know you're not alone!

Good luck!

I'm going back 2 days per week - but it's an hour journey in each direction.

I don't think it's ever going to be easy! Have you spoken to your child minder/nursery about coping etc re bf'ing. They may be able to help.

NotLookingForwardToThisTiggaxx

My DD is the same Pinklips, we have another 10 or so weeks to go til I'm back and I'm just hoping she will take a cup of warm milk from Granma when she's with her.

I sort of want to go back (2 days til Sept) and feel enjoyment at the thought of doing work, but hate the feeling of leaving DD and hate the thought of her being upset and knowing that what is best for her is me to be with her. I feel for you all, it's all so hard!

I sympathise as I remember feeling exactly the same when I went back. DD was the same age as yours, and I used to love my job. If it's any comfort, it was much worse in anticipation than in practice, even though she took a while to settle at nursery.

I found I was really glad to be back in adult company, and busy in a very different way from how I was at home. If you're away from work for a few months, for whatever reason, eg. illness, I think going back looms very large and you can dread it, so it's not surprising that it's even worse when you're worried about your little girl as well.

Would she take water from a cup? It might not be the end of the world if she didn't have any milk during the day. Once she's 1, she can have cow's milk and she might take that because it tastes different from breastmilk.

I hope it won't turn out to be as bad as you fear.