Is 4.5 hours too long

[ChocolateNummies]

for a 3-4mo to go without nursing? I have to work one day a week for 4 hours (plus 20-30 minutes round trip). My ds regularly goes at least that long at night without nursing but not sure how he'll do during the day. I'm not sure how well he'll take a bottle so was wondering if I should really worry if he doesn't eat.

It's possible my dh could bring him by my job midway through to let me nurse. However, that will probably mean a crying/screaming baby on the drive there, which makes me sadder to think about than ds just waiting, being held in-arms.

[SilverFish]

i would pump a bottle. i think that anything over 3.5 hours is probably too long to expect a baby to go without milk, even if they will do that occasionally on their own. i know my baby has definitely gone that long without nursing (either we were out and she was super distracted, or she took an unusually long nap) but i wouldn't want to force her to go that long. if he doesn't want to drink a lot from it, that's fine, since you'll be back soon enough, but i think it should definitely be available. your dh might have more luck using a little cup though... my dd has been fascinated by cups and adores drinking out of them and has since about 4 months.

[rhiOrion]

It sounds like you're planning to leave a bottle, yes? If so, I think you're fine. He'll have the opportunity to eat if he wants it, but he's not going to starve in 4.5 hours. He might reverse cycle some and want to nurse more at night.

[Sfcmama]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

It sounds like you're planning to leave a bottle, yes? If so, I think you're fine. He'll have the opportunity to eat if he wants it, but he's not going to starve in 4.5 hours. He might reverse cycle some and want to nurse more at night.

Ditto! Unless he's crying the entire time you are gone, he's nit likely to become dehydrated, which is the bigger concern than "starving". I work 2 half days and DD (now 7mo) prefers to wait the 4-5 hours but I leave a bottle just in case. This is the longest she ever goes without nursing at night so I'm comfortable with it.
Are you pumping while you're gone? Don't forget to keep your supply up.

[Amy0417]

4.5 hours is too long to go with out anything.. but not too long to go w/o nursing. If that made sense...

[ChocolateNummies]

Thanks!

Had my first 4-hour shift today. Left some milk which he took off a spoon then dh stopped by with him 3/4 of the way through my job and he nursed and fell asleep. Pretty good day overall but hopefully will be even easier/better next time. We'll keep trying the bottle but at least I know he can get some milk one way or the other.

This is the first of my three I've had to leave for extended periods of time so wasn't sure what to expect. It's strange to think of ds getting milk some way other than from "the tap" and I'm having to adjust my thinking a bit.

Thanks for the advice!