Leaving a 1 year old in someone else's care for the 1st time

[Biscuits & Gravy]

DS just turned 1 and I have only left him with DH. Once was for a bluegrass show, so I was away for a few hours. DH wore him to get him to sleep, then held him while he slept. He was about 7 months old then. I've run to the store for a short trip and left him with DH as well, but never with anyone else. Now DH and I have an opportunity to see another show, and it will be when DS is 15 months. A kind MDC mama friend has offered to watch my boys while we go (a friend who does not have children has also offered). DS sees the mama friend weekly, and she is a babywearing, AP pro, so I think she is the best logical choice.

Can anyone share some BTDT experience with similar situations? How did you prepare your child? Did it go okay? Do you think I should pump and leave a bottle? He has only had one once, when I went to the previous show.

I was a WOHM before DS2 was born, so DS1 was in daycare and away from me daily. It was so much easier to get a few hours away because of that. I never understood before when I heard other women say they hadn't been away from their toddler yet. Now I totally get it. It is hard!! I'm a firm believer in the "balance" part of AP, but have not been able to incorporate much "me" time into my life in the past year.

DH and I have a big trip scheduled later this year, so I really need to find opportunities like this to ease DS into being away from me. The trip is a once in a lifetime type thing that I can't miss.

[Materfamilias]

I didn't leave DD until she was 15 mo. I was a wreck. But she did fine. She was old enough not to need breast milk (thank goodness since I've never pumped) and she could be distracted with snacks. I only left her for a few hours though. I just waited til she was distracted and slipped out; I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. She did fine.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I think the fact that it will be bedtime when we are leaving is what has me worried.