EBF how to leave daughter with her dad?

Question

Hi mommas! I have been EBF since day 1 and I’m also a SAHM for my currently 6-month old daughter. She sleeps while on my breast and when she wakes up at night I feed her or rock her back to sleep. Her dad doesn’t get up at night or initiate to try to put her to sleep so Idk if they have this connection. Although he helps on changing diapers and cleaning up after her when she eats or when I ask him to do something but basically, it’s just me and my daughter all the time and dad hasn’t been really helpful to me tbh. In January, I will start my classes at night for 3 hours everyday so i’ll be gone for about 4-5hrs max. I’m very excited since it’ll be the first time that I’ll be able to leave for a few hours without a baby and this will also be perfect for my mental health since I just moved to Austria without family or any help. But I am worried since my baby refuses to take bottles so how do I leave my ebf baby to her dad? Please share some tips if you have experienced this before or is currently in the same position. Thanks a bunch!!☹️❤️❤️

Answer

That definitely might pose a challenge, its recommended to introduce a bottle around 2-4 weeks to avoid nipple confusion but also not go too long without so baby doesn’t develop a strong breast preference. Start pumping and prepping bottles (maybe one at night one in morning) and have dad give the nighttime bottle (or at least try to if baby is having hard time switching) and try this every single day until you start school. Also start going on 1-2 hour trips to the store, park, trail, etc by yourself in the evening and maybe baby will be more willing to take bottle from dad if you aren’t home.

Answer

Try to get her to take the bottle? You have almost a month for her to learn to take it :) get dad involved with her feedings from bottle? Maybe if he’s holding her when she’s hungry she’ll know she can’t nurse from him so if the bottle is offered she’ll take it? That’s what I did with my kiddo and he’s taking bottle very well now. Much easier, I can now leave him with dad and go grocery shopping and such without worrying about time haha

Answer

I would start by pumping maybe once a week, showing dad how to make up the bottle and leaving the house at feeding time. If you aren’t around then baby will be more likely to take the bottle. That’s my plan!

Answer

Supply cup, open cup, bottle. 
She’d get around 1oz per hour so if she nurses every 3hrs- he’d give her 3oz pace fed.

Answer

My husband is a SAHD but we wanted to do breast milk only. About 2 weeks before I go back to work we start bottle feeding breast milk during the hours I would be gone and then back on boob during the hours I’d be home. The first couple times I feed until they seem to get the hang of it, then dad takes over those feeds so he can practice and the kiddo can get used to him feeding. Be sure you do pace feeding to mimic breastfeeding as much as possible.

Answer

Currently in a similar position as you, just that my boyfriend helps a lot (even at nights).
I will go back to work in february and will start pumping so that my boyfriend can give my baby the bottle during the day. Even though I am a little anxious to be away from our baby, it will be great to have a bit more freedom (and coming home to a little cutie).
Are you planning on continuing to breastfeed? Then pumping is a great way to do that. You should already start a few weeks before to make sure she takes the bottle and is comfortable with her dad alone, if she doesn't know that yet. Will she be asleep for most part when you are gone (you mentioned having classes in the evening)? Her dad should participate/take over/share with you bed time routine to put her asleep if necessary. 
Also, welcome to Austria! I live here as well, if you want somebody to talk to, I'll be happy to hear from you ((: my baby is 6 months as well!

EBF how to leave daughter with her dad?

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