It can be completely nerve racking to leave your baby with someone else for the first time. Doubly so, if you’re breastfeeding! You have to make sure you have enough pumped milk available for the time you’ll be gone. And that can be a challenge in and of itself!
I honestly can’t remember the first time I ever left Grady. I think he was a couple months old and Eric and I had a date night (I think – I’m totally blaming this on preggie brain). My mom’s been the only one who’s ever watched him though and I’m super lucky to have her only 5 minutes away. I had built up a large stash from pumping while Grady was tongue tied, but once his tongue was clipped at a month old, he never really took milk from a bottle again. I always packed one or two to give to my mom, but he would never take them. So I never really left him for more than a few hours. Even though he’s 20 months now and only nurses occasionally, I still rarely leave him for long. I actually should start leaving him with my mom for longer periods as he needs to be prepared for when his little sister will be here and I’ll be in the hospital. I think Eric and I have decided that while I’m in the hospital my mom will watch him during the day and then Eric will go home at night to be with him. I’m still kind of freaked out about the whole thing, since he’s never once gone to sleep with out me by his side. It has to be done though, since he can’t stay over night with me in the hospital. Any tips from those of you who have 2 or more kiddos?
So when did you first leave your nursling? Was it easy or hard? Do share!
This post is part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by The Slacker Mom, Happiness Redefined, and The Gnome’s Mom. To read more posts from the hop, click on the links below…..
6 Days Left 
11 Days Left 
2013/06/17
2013/06/13
2013/06/12
Would you not do a homebirth? It’s amazing how quickly the little ones adjust and I’m sure he will be just fine while you are in the hospital, especially if he still gets daddy at nights. Mine always did pretty good, especially after they came to visit me and their new little brother or sister. It’s like they know, they are “Big” now
How did your son do after he had his tongue clipped? My son is about 7 weeks and he is finally going to get his done next week. His tongue is tied all the way to the tip, and while I have been able to continue breastfeeding, it has been very hard and painful. I wonder how he’s going to do with the procedure and hopefully breastfeeding will be so much better afterwards… and he will start gaining some weight!
We did initially want to do a home-birth, but due to our location there aren’t many options. So, we’ve decided to go with a hospital birth and a doula.
He did great after having his tongue clipped. It was an easy in office procedure. He cried a little, but mainly from being held in place. After 2 quick snips it was all done. A little bleeding but that was all. He nursed right after and was fine. Breastfeeding was 100% better immediately. All the pain I was experiencing was gone. We were using a nipple shield up to that point under the supervision of our LC, and I was hoping we would not need it anymore, but he had gotten so used to it that he wouldn’t nurse without. At 20 months old, I still have to use that stupid thing even though he physically can do with out it. Oh well!
Lucky you to have your mom so close and willing to babysit! I would probably leave my son and go on a date with my husband if I had family to watch him.
The first time I left was a rough experience, but it has started to become easier as he’s aged.
Great post. You’re lucky to have your mom so close! I too always put my little one down to sleep by my side, and I hate the thought of not being there at her bedtime. She does NOT go down easily without me (has only happened a few times). She’s almost two now and still mama’s girl, and still nursing too! I am in no hurry to stop.