Leaving babe with DH

[denaverbena]

I'm planning on taking a class (once a week for 9 hrs) starting in a month and am feeling a little uncertain about it all. I'm a SAHM and haven't left my babe with dad for more than 3 hrs. Overall they do well together, but she's still not taking the bottle much. I've been going out more giving them a chance to get used to each other and adding more time on each week. Should I maybe have him offer the bottle more while we're all home together? We're working on a cup and sippy also to make that an option. She's 8 months and munches on food, but it doesn't fill her up and she always wants milk afterwards. She's very attached to me and I just want to make sure I'm making a decision good for all of us. I know it takes some practice for dad and baby to get in a rhythm I just don't want it to turn into an all out scream fest with an overtired or hungry baby who won't eat or something. maybe she'll be fine and I'm just nervous because I'm used to being the one who meets most of her needs. I really want it to work out because I really really need some ME time so I don't feel so burnt out all the time.

How is for you when you leaves your babes? How is it for them? Any tricks or advice?
Thanks

[Kelly1101]

I haven't had to leave mine yet for long stretches, although of course my husband watches her while I run out to the grocery store or things like that.

For the bottle, though, are YOU offering it to her, or just him? I'd say yes, have him try to feed her from the bottle while ya'll are all home together, and ALSO sometimes you offer her the bottle when she's hungry. Since she's used to the milk coming from you, she may accept it more from you, at least enough to get used to it. Then it won't be such a weird thing when he gives it to her.

[dislocator3972]

I just found out that the reason my LO was refusing the bottle for DH was because he was forgetting to check things like her diaper. Could there be something 'obvious' like that that your DH doesn't seem to catch? Wet dipe, wet shirt, trying to feed her in the wrong chair, etc?

[sunshynbaby]

Many babies won't take a bottle when mommy is near (why take a bottle when the good stuff is right there?). I would work on the cup if she won't take a bottle, but don't worry too much if she doesn't. Many babies of working moms "reverse cycle," which means they don't eat much while mom is away, but make up for it when she gets home at night. Enjoy your class!

[nukedwifey]

I know you posted this a while ago but I went through the same thing. My babe is about to turn 7 months. I took a class 2 days a week for 8 weeks and left him home with DH. He had barely taken care of him without me there prior to that and he would not take a bottle when I started class. My classes were a little shorter than yours but I was gone a total of 5 hours with the commute each day. My Dh reported it was rough at first but by the end of my classes it was fine. I also went back to work right after Thanksgiving and grandma had him for 10 hours a day 3 days a week and he still wasn't taking a bottle well and I had been going to class for 4 weeks at that point BUT after 2 weeks my mom reported that he was a totally different kid. I think something finally clicked and he now takes the bottle much better and actually is eating all of his feedings. He actually lost pudge through those 2 weeks. I went with the idea that I just needed to do it and everyone else kind of thought the same thing. He can't be tied to me forever it just isn't practical. (Up to that point he really had been for 6 months) I made sure my DH knew what to do, how to warm up the BM, etc. But that was really the only preparation we did. I knew they both would take care of him like I would and that he knew both of them really well. It's fine. In fact DH has had him all day today since he took vacation until next year. This is his first time watching him this long. I've gotten no calls! Believe me for one daya week they'll survive. They really will! Of course don't be surprised if the house is a disater when you get home. Mine always is!