Leaving my 11-week-old for the first time!

[radnrach]

I'd like some advice or encouragement, I'm not sure!

My baby is 11 weeks old this Saturday, and I will be leaving him with someone for the evening. I'm very nervous, anxious and weirdly upset about this. I have never left him for longer than around half an hour, and that was with my husband!

The person I'm leaving him with is 100% trustworthy - she's an old family friend who used to be an au pair, and she is also a doctor. So I feel completely confident leaving him in her hands. I have also been pumping milk all this week so she will be able to feed him while I'm away.

Firstly, does anybody have any advice about leaving little ones? Do they get upset while you're away, or are they usually okay this young to be with somebody else? Also, I'm wondering how much milk will be enough for around 4 hours? Does anybody have an approximate guideline?

I know I have to be able to leave him at some point, and I'm planning on going back to work eventually, but I did not realise how hard it was going to be to leave him! Am I being silly?

[Fuschia]

Nope, I was exactly like that esp with my first. Instinct is not easily over-ruled!

I doubt at 11 weeks he will necessarily notice until he wants feeding!! I'd try to leave 6oz if you can, IME asmall baby takes 2-3oz at a go, but best be safe. Does he take a bottle? Worth leaving a syringe as well, just in case.

PS Don't ring up every 5 mins!!

[Saffron]

Put a little blanket or some babygrows in you bed for the next couple nights. You can even put some breastmilk on them. They will hold your smell. Leave these for your LO when you go out.

Of course you will miss your baby when you go out. That's nature's way. Not crazy at all. Enjoy your time away for a few hours... (and then enjoy your baby even more when you return!).

[womanofdulwich]

do have something/ somewher to go in case you leak!!

[verds]

Oh yes, that sounds totally normal. I left my baby for the evening for the first time to go to a gig at 11 weeks. I was so excited to be going out that I spent a week pumping milk. The fridge was full. And then I burst into tears just before I left, worrying it wasn't enough. Of course, I got drunk on one glass of wine, saw all my mates, cried at every song, had a great time and when I got home baby was fine, and fast asleep.

It's so hard to leave them at first, but it does get easier. You may wish to use the breast pump the moment you get home!

Have a great night - it's so good for you to get out, even if it feels weird at first.

[sunbob]

That's a coincidence. I first went out at 11 weeks too. I remember feeling very excited/nervous/wierd. It was really enjoyable going out to do something 'me' (playing in an orchestra rehearsal) and luckily my OH still enables me to do the same each week. It is v tiring, especially at first coming home late to then be up all night with baby, but I think we are all completely knackered anyway (aren't we?) so might as well do something interesting to make us so.

[ludoscotts]

totally understandable feelings but it will all be fine, really worth investing in some lillypads breast pads. They are stick on ones about ?15 from jo jos but you just wash them and put them back in the packet but they are leak proof. My first trip out was in the evening and even though I had pads in my bra leaked so much I had 2 wet patches and no-where to go and buy something else to wear(ended up borrowing a scalf to try and cover it up!)

worth the investment to make sure you have a blush free evening.

[womanofdulwich]

that was my problem too ludoscotts- I remember having to express in the pub toilets and having to waste all that milk.

[radnrach]

After all of your helpful advice, I thought I'd update you on what happened...

All went well! I only texted the babysitter twice to ensure all was well, and he was a super good boy, only crying when he was hungry. I had expressed 6 ounces, and the little fatty had finished it all off in 2 hours! But luckily he went straight to sleep after finishing it off and slept for 3 hours.

I didn't panic, and he didn't cry the whole time. Yay!

Thank you so much for all of your advice, it really helped me be reassured, and breast pads were definitely needed!