Hi there, welcome to bb . I went back to work when my DS was 8 months, my mum looks after him. Although it's not always been easy, she has always managed to get him to sleep during the day, without resorting to leaving him to cry etc. He fell asleep feeding for almost 2 years, but has always been okay when left with other people (DH, Grandma etc).
I worried about it alot before going back to work, but it turned out fine . Most babies that feed to sleep can go to sleep fine when with people other than mum .
My experience was similar to Janie's. At home, both my sons fed to sleep for quite some time. But they both were really good at sleeping at day care. Most babies seem to be able to cope with different situations and manage just fine when mum isn't there.
The main thing that might be a problem for you is his difficulty in unfamiliar surroundings. Some babies really do struggle with this. Luckily though, they are the minority. I would try not to worry too much yet. See how he goes when the time comes - he very well might surprise you!
Hi, thanks so much for the words of encouragement! So worried about my happy little booby boy! Sorry should have mentioned - he's nearly 8 months now, so he knows what he likes hehehe.
My plan is to see how he goes with some EBM with DH, maybe this weekend. He hasn't had a bottle before. Or should I not keep encouraging the feeding to sleep thing maybe? I'm assuming DH won't be able to get him to sleep without milk but who knows?
Also, I'm planning on going to go back to work a few weeks before day care starts when DH is on leave so DS will have some time without me and get used to going to sleep a different way.. hopefully.
I know it all depends on the carer doesn't it? Having no experience with FDC I don't know what to expect. I'm told we'll be advised of vacancies a few weeks out and then hopefully we'll find an amazing, gentle carer who clicks with DS and will be happy to give him lots of cuddles at sleep time .
Hi Panda,
I too had these concerns when returning to work but everything worked out fine. DS still feeds to sleep when with me, but has found a different routine with my mum, who looks after him while I'm at work. I guess I was lucky that mum is patient and worked out a routine that suits them, she'll tell him it's leap leap time (sleep time) and then take him down to his cot, pop him in and pat his back for a few minutes til he drifts off. Maybe you can speak to your fdc to see what kind of routine they may have for him?
Hope it all works out, I'm sure it will!
My DS fed to sleep for nearly 2 years but would always go to sleep for others (including @ FDC) no problems. They will work out their own routine together. For now it'd be good to try to get him used to falling asleep without you sometimes - maybe you could go out and leave dad to it, or let him be babysat by another family member?
Your bubs might be different but generally older babies who are exclusively breastfed don't take well to bottles, just a heads up. It usually goes more successfully if you're out of the house altogether. Sometimes a sippy cup works better.
How long will you be at work? Does he have many feeds in that time? If so, it's probably a good idea to try to replace those feeds with solids and water so that he doesn't hanker for them while you're away. You'll probably find that he does a reverse cycle and feeds like crazy when you're home from work, but the fewer feeds he 'misses' from you while at FDC, the easier the adjustment will be for him in the beginning.
Don't stress too much, bubs will adjust to the new routine. Meanwhile you've got a couple of months to implement a few things so the new routine isn't a complete shock to the system. It's great that your partner will be home with him for a few weeks before FDC starts - that will help him transition too.
I've just had people (family) in my ear saying unhelpful things like 'well, he's gotta get used to it' and 'there's gonna have to be some tears' instead of offering me suggestions on how to ease DS into the new situation.
I'll be gone 7am to 4pm so he'll probably be missing two big feeds but I'd say he'll only notice because he needs them to sleep! He's just too busy these days to slow down for boob anyway. I am trying now to encourage water from his sippy cup and he's getting the hang of it I think. Solids..are slow going right now, too much milk!
I suspect you're right about the bottle.. He's had a play with one before and gave it a bit of a chew..
. I went back to work when my DS was 8 months, my mum looks after him. Although it's not always been easy, she has always managed to get him to sleep during the day, without resorting to leaving him to cry etc. He fell asleep feeding for almost 2 years, but has always been okay when left with other people (DH, Grandma etc).
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