6+ mos- do you leave baby? - Page 2

[kismetbaby]

I have only left DS with DH. And the longest I was ever gone was 3 and 1/2 hours. But normally, its like this morning--I went to a chiro appt before Dh had to leave for work and was gone 45min. DS does great with DH. He never has a problem being with him, even the time I was gone the longest which included bedtime. I have left a bottle of pumped milk sometimes, but DS usually doesn't drink much--he prefers to just wait till I get home.

I know DH would really love to have a baby-free date soon. If my mom lived nearby I would do it in a heartbeat. . .but I just don't have anyone here I trust or know well enough to leave my LO with.

[rockdoctor]

I went back to work when DD was 3.5 months old. I work from 7:00am to 5:00pm M-F. Ahvy is with DH from 7am to 1:00pm and then with a caretaker from 1:00 to 5:00pm. Then I am on duty from 5:00pm to 5:00am. This is of course except on Monday and Thursday nights when I am taking a pilot course. I pump at work and BF at home. We also supplement with formula. She is super happy and well adjusted and social regardless of the lack of my actual presence all day long.

[Aufilia]

Yes, I do leave DS. I am a SAHM but sometimes I really need a break! (From my older DD more than DS, but still.) I've left him with our postpartum doula (at 2 weeks, to go to Mom's Day at preschool for DD), DH, and my mother. On Sunday mornings I go to meet some of my writerly friends for about 2 hours, and DH is in charge of the kids. DS often naps the entire time I'm gone (such a cheat! He NEVER naps like that if I'm home!). Last week I recruited my mom to come and help at bedtime so I could go to a book reading a friend was giving, and it was a flat-out disaster. 5oz of breastmilk were wasted in the process. Tomorrow night I'm going with a friend to see "Babies" and my mother's going to try again.... I'm really crossing my fingers.

And yes, I do leave pumped milk, even though Tristan has refused to drink out of a bottle for MONTHS.

[JL83]

My DD2 is 3.5mo and DD1 is 3.5yo.

DH takes care of his children every week or two while I get some alone time.

I pump a couple ounces every day for a freezer stash (I have strong let down, so I take the top off so that DD's happier to nurse).

I definately leave DD2 alot more than I left DD1. DD1 was much more of a "mama's girl". There were many times when I was home and I was the only one who could comfort her. So, it was less likely for it to be a happy time if I went out. DD2? She's happy if she's in a sling and while she happy to take a bottle, she does prefer the breast. So it doesn't matter to her if she spends the evening in the sling with me or DH.

[noobmom]

DD is only 3 mos, but with DS, I only left for as long as I could go without feeding, maybe 2-3 hours? I never pumped. When DS was closer to maybe 9-10 mos, I would go out for a bit longer and if he got hungry DH would feed him regular food while I was gone.

[Tiddilywinks]

Ds has stayed away from me only 4 times in 7 months. His choice not mine.

He is such a Mommas boy. He will not take a bottle. I left him tonight at 10 and he was snoozing with my mom and dad. My phone rang at 1 to come get him. He just screamed and cried till I got here.

[NEastMomma]

I teach 3 days a week from 9am - 3pm and leave DS 9mos w/ at his sitter's house 2 days and his grandparents come to our house the 3rd. I pump and he takes a few bottles and more recently some breakfast.

Because I have this built-in leave from my baby, I really don't have much desire to go out on the town w/out him - except my sister and I have plans to go see that Baby Movie next week... Beyond that, I've only left him 2 other times at night and each time only for 2 hours or so.

It was agonizing to have to return to work and leave DS, but now I'm much better. My heart is always at home with him, but I feel lucky to work with children - I get to be with somebody's baby! I also totally lucked out w/ sitter. Both DS and I love her.