Hello HB. DS2 is around the same age as your DD - he was born on 3 March 2010.
He was BF by demand up until I returned to work (fulltime) 2 months ago (gosh time flies!!). On the weekends we slack off and revert to our "on demand" feeds - I try to stick to our new workday routine but it just doesn't seem to work.
I, like you, am able to duck out for a BF - the childare centre is on site so I'm very lucky there. I looked at loads of different routines to see how long he should go between BFs and I figured that he could learn to fit in with me. At the moment I give him a BF at 7am (he usually has an early breakfast because I have to leave straight after his BF). Then I give him a BF at 11am and then another at 3pm. Some days he doesn't seem to want the 3pm feed and will have afternoon tea instead - I'll be moving him onto having afternoon tea anyway soon and dropping that feed entirely. He has lunch anywhere between 12 and 2 - usually closer to 12 but it depends if he's slept a bit longer, they keep his lunch for him and give it to him when he wakes.
One of the mums in the same centre put her bub - cold turkey - onto the bottle for one feed and then comes in at lunch time to give a BF and then will either give her one when she picks her up at 4.30pm or as soon as she gets home. When she first started little miss would only take about 20ml or so of the EBM and then guzzle away at lunch - she's now drinking around 150ml I think.
Can I just offer a bit of advice? Have everything ready the night before - bags, clothes and lunches (I make muffins and sandwiches and freeze them on a Sunday and add some fruit/yoghurt to my bag when I go). I lay out DS2s clothes (in order to be put on) and have a spare set ready to go. Also, I don't get dressed until after he's had his breakfast or I wear an apron to cover any spills. Be prepared for the morning that you've got to get out of there early will be the morning that you get pooed on, spewed on and nothing goes right!! Good luck!!
exactly what Cass said! Good luck!
I went back at 9 months for DS1 and 8 for DS2, both demand fed... thety reacted differently but it all worked out fine (DS2 is still demand fwd when i am around but has cows milk from a cup when i am not...)
Thanks Cass and MamaPan, that's really reassuring. As it's drawing closer I'm actually a bit calmer, and am just going to see how it goes. We've had such a hectic few weeks that there have been a few times when she has gone happily longer between feeds, so I'm feeling better about it all. Plus I've realised worrying about it now is not going to change the outcome, so just chill
Funny you should all ask - tomorrow is our first official full day in care and me at work. We have visited nearly every day for the last 2 weeks, even had a sleep trial, and it has all gone really well so far. DD has loved the carers and the room, and even just drifted off to sleep and woke up babbling in the cot room. I have honestly had more tears than her! I'm sure a full day will be a different story, but I'm feeling pretty good about it (although I have been a bit teary today)
As for BF, she really ramped up the food and water intake just into the new year, and kept refusing feeds, and lately there have been alot of days were she's only fed 3 or 4 times. She always feeds upon waking, after lunch (around 1pm) and before going to bed. I offer mid morning and mid afternoon before snacks, but quite often she just refuses. Never refuses food or her water cup though! So I figure we'll stick with atleast the 3 regular feeds - dropping in to feed on my lunch break - and I'll offer it before I leave her and when I collect her. I didn't bother trying to express a stash as it just stresses me out, and as I'll be close by, worst case they could ring me and I could go in for an extra feed.
Thanks for thinking of us, and wish us luck...... it's gonna be a big week for both of us!
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