Need advice - returning to work in two months!

Hi. My bubs is 8mths and the day he turns 10mths I am going back to work 5 days a fortnight. I am confused about which approach to take to prepare him for me being away. Essentially, his entire life thus far he hasn't been away from me for longer that 2hrs or a breastfeed.

Three weeks ago, he dropped to 5 BF per day - 6.30, 10, 1.30, 4, 7pm. He still has three sleeps per day. I have just been following the feed, play, sleep routine and demand feeding. As he has stayed awake longer in the day, he has fed less. It has worked for us and I have a happy baby boy!

He has three solid meals a day - Bk 7.30, Lunch 11.30, Dinner 5.30.

But - he won't take a bottle. I know people say persistence is the key but I have tried every week since he was 8wks. I have tried different brands and different people to feed him. I have been working on two types of sippy cups for 3mths now. He takes a small amount of water in them.

I would love people's advice on how to prepare bubs for when I go back to work!!!:pray:

Should I drop the 10am feed and replace it with a snack? Just go cold turkey?

Should I swap and start feeding solids b4 BF? If so, what sort of routine would you suggest??

I really appreciate your experience and advice. Thanks!!

I wish I had more time, but I will have to give you a quick answer for now and try to come back later. I went back to work when DS1 was 7 months, and again when DS2 was 8 months. I continued bfing both boys, so it can definitely be done. My boys wouldn't take a bottle for love or money, but did luckily take a sippy cup. However, they never drank from it much until they started day care. Once I wasn't there, they drank EBM in a cup much better than they ever had at home. They know when mum isn't there with the breast and don't usually starve themselves. More than likely you will find your DS is the same. And really, at that age, he is on solids and will drink some water, if he doesn't drink the EBM, he will be ok until you pick him up and give him a bf.

If it was me, I would keep his routine as it is now. It's what he's used to and it's working for you both. Day care will follow your routine at that age. He will be fine to have EBM instead of his usual bf, and you will find your supply will adjust so that you can bf when you are home, and be ok when you're at work (you might have to express a little in the beginning until your body adjusts though).

Both times I found the thought of going back to work was harder than actually doing it. My boys adjusted well, and much to my surprise, so did I. So try not to worry too much.

If you have any more questions, please ask. I am happy to share my experience.

Hi there
I returned to work when DS was 6 months and he also refused the bottle, still does!
He does however use a sippy cup, but will not have EBM, it's boobie or nothing!
He has slowly started getting a lot better with his drinking but i found the only thing he would drink out of the sippy cup was rice milk and juice (he will not touch water not matter how persistent I am)
Rice milk apparently tastes similar to breast milk, and while it should not be used as a substitute feed, when you are as desperate as i was you'll try anything!
We also got around it by giving really milky custards and things like that.
Over the last week he has started taking cows milk from the cup much to my delight!
Everyone will tell you that they will survive without you but you'll never believe it until it actually happens, so yes, whilst it might be a stressful week or so, you'll find your own way just like we did.
In the mean time, keep trying the bottle or cup, you might just get lucky.
Good luck with it all, it will be fine!

Thank you so much for support and reassurance!