Leaving the baby with their dad

I also EBF and my LO is ten weeks old. I have been pumping for several weeks now building up a freezer supply of milk for when my partner takes over or for day trips where it will be easier to not have to breastfeed. I have left my LO with my partner twice now both times for around 4 hours and he was absolutely fine. I think it’s important for them to do it to build up their bond and also get them confident with the baby and the routines etc. it doesn’t say how old your LO is but if you haven’t yet, I would introduce a bottle of expressed milk and see she is with it. Some babies if left too long will refuse to take a bottle and then trying to have any time away will become impossible. You definitely need that time away for yourself as well, you do feel that mum guilt but it’s important for us to take some time ❤️

I don’t BF but the longest I’ve left them both for is 6 hours. But when we are both in the house, I can not be responsible for her for hours at a time and on Saturday mornings he’s started to let me sleep in til 11 ( she’s up at 7:45 ish on average) it’s bliss 😂 if you’ve got 6 weeks maybe let him take sole responsibility for more time than just a shower at first and let the time build up over the weeks, then you are in the house if you feel you need/ want to step in. You need to feel confident leaving baby in order to be relaxed when you are away from them, and I’ve found that watching them look after baby with you still being there helps because then you know what they are like with them/ how they deal with baby’s needs.

I’ve left my breastfed LO a few times with dad - twice she slept the entire time (3 hours) and the third time I left her crying 😢 but it was really good for dad to be able to comfort her and for me to not be the only one who can settle her. Can’t stress enough giving a bottle regularly in the lead up to your event. From 2/3 weeks old I’d give mine one a day just so she was used to the bottle but then I left it a couple of weeks without doing it and she refused it altogether! Luckily someone on here suggested Lansinoh bottles and they worked 🤞🏼 so now going back to giving it regularly. I have a small supply of milk frozen for when I want to go out. Perhaps do a few trial runs where you go shopping or something to see how dad gets on? X

I'm EBF and my partner takes our little boy for a few hours to either grandma's house or has taken him to meet a friend and baby's even been to the pub with him for an hour 😂 I just feed before they leave and arm him with a bottle of expressed milk. I was unsure of letting him go at first but it's so nice to have a few hours with no responsibility and I do really trust him to always do the right thing. He's so protective of the baby I know he'll be fine and would just ring me if he needed something. I think it's important for their bond and to build his confidence as a dad xx

I breastfeed but also express so my other half can give a bottle. She has a bottle at least once in three days so she doesn't refuse it but sometimes more. I have left her with her dad quite a few times now as they have a good bond as he has been giving her a bottle and he helps with baths etc. he also put her to bed tonight to see if she will go down for him and she did! I think like above suggested if you can get your other half to take care of the baby whilst you are there it will help with their bond and also your confidence leaving her. Then you can start small (I just went to my friends for an hour) and then build up. Speak with your other half about feeling worried about leaving her so they can reassure you or put in more effort to make you feel more comfortable ☺️ mama needs a break too! X

I left her the first week to go for a beach walk with him. Every week they’ve spent at least a few hours together to bond and give me a break. Now I’m back at work he has her all day on Tuesdays and I have 3 gaps in the day where I can nip in to see them/feed her.