https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:47:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-675624 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:54:09 +0000 78h2o 675624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work 3 days a week for 30 hours, so she goes to daycare then. I also take her to daycare for a few hours sometimes when I'm off if I need to run errands. I will also sometimes leave her with my MIL when she comes to visit. I can't leave her with my husband, so I do try to take advantage of those caregivers when I can so I don't get burned out. I never want to leave her, but I can get a lot more done when I'm not lugging around the infant carrier. I had to be away from her at 6 weeks to take a long licensing exam (was away 6+ hrs) so I started practicing with a bottle around 4 weeks and my in-laws took care of her. It would be a lot harder if she refused bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-675441 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:33:57 +0000 Beehive 675441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a couple activities on Saturdays in a row - language class and trainer at the gym - so I'm out for 4 hours or so. It ends up being one feeding and two naps. DH loves his time alone with LO, and it really does feel nice to get out and do things I did pre-baby. I've also gone out with girlfriends in the evening and we've both gone out for long dinners when my parents are in town to watch LO (and they feed him and put him to bed). </p> <p>It really helps that he's gotten better at the bottle - he was pretty bad for a while. We practice almost every day now - I give him 3 oz or so of pumped milk before his bedtime feed. He's generally really hungry at that point and has no problem with it anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674824 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:05:19 +0000 sorrycharlie 674824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 6 months and I haven't left her longer than 2 hours (just last weekend). I waited until I was comfortable - not when someone else told me I should, and it went so much better. I've found that the times I've left her for short periods (to run to the store) before I felt ready to, I was a million times more anxious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674821 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:03:56 +0000 Kemma 674821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Miss A is almost six months and the longest I've been away without her was about two hours. LO is a pretty frequent feeder but I know she can go up to three hours without a feed if she's sufficiently distracted.</p> <p>If you do feel like going to yoga I'm sure LO will be ok with her Dad but it's also ok to not go :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674519 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:44:25 +0000 luckypenny 674519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was always so frustrated at people for telling me to leave DD (we formula fed from day 1) but I never wanted to. But once I finally did, I realized how much I miss being out (and out ALONE for that matter). I'm glad people nudged me out of my comfort zone. Happy mom = happy family </p> <p>But to this day DH pretty much has to beg me for a fate night but whenever we come home I am so glad we went lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674516 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:42:34 +0000 shopaholic 674516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you should try to take some time for yourself doing something that YOU find worthwhile and enjoy! Even if it's just something you do at home, maybe you can give yourself a break and let DH do some solo parenting. But of course, if you really feel uncomfortable and want to BF then you will be home to do so. You can slowly try to build up to leaving her if you want and see how it goes.</p> <p>K is 3 weeks and I've gone out for less than 2 hours at a time, but even with my shortest solo outings, for some reason, she has woken up hungry and someone has to give her a bottle (pumped milk), which does make me sad. Her schedule is SO unpredictable still. But I've been glad to just get out and run quick errands when I've needed to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674442 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:07:13 +0000 ladyfingers 674442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not often but LO is only 7 weeks and still has a pretty unpredictable schedule. I haven't had the time to pump to build up a stash for when I go back to work and i hate using what little milk I have on hand just so I can go places without LO. But I do wish I had more me time. I doubt I'll get any once I go back to work because I'll want to spend all my free time with LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674431 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:03:48 +0000 stlginkgo 674431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do what you are comfortable with. My #1 was ebf and I wouldn't leave him for more than 2ish hours mostly because I didn't want to get engorged (and I had tremendous guilt when I was gone -- what if he was STARVING?!) I exaggerate but really if you don't feel comfortable then tell everyone to buzz off with their opinions. You are the mom, you get to decide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674413 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:59:33 +0000 Sammyfab 674413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: in that case, don't go! But definitely don't be afraid to take some time away from your LO to take that bath and enjoy a cup of tea. It's hard to let go at first but it does get easier. In regards to your LO not taking a bottle, babies won't starve themselves so if she's really hungry she will eat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-674348 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:42:16 +0000 sarac 674348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't really leave mine. I don't think that you're being 'fussy' or any other rude adjective - I think you're just following your heart. If you want to go, do. But if you don't feel ok with it, forget it! That being said, taking time for yourself often feels awesome, even if you're unsure at first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673646 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:44:27 +0000 immabeetoo 673646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get out for at least over one feeding and nap on one weekend day. I want to make sure he doesn't start rejecting bottles and air myself out a bit. DH has started taking him on an outing each weekend too which is nice bc then I have quiet time at home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673535 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:10:56 +0000 mrskc 673535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: Well then I definitely wouldn't go then! Maybe ask your DH to watch the baby while you do something for yourself at home. I do that a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673507 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:01:34 +0000 glimmersnaps 673507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was EFB and never took a bottle. The first time I really left him was when he was 9 months old. He had started solids at that point so I felt like he could handle a few hours apart. DH had a pretty hard time but I think it was just lack of experience being with him on his own.</p> <p>If you are feeling like you need to be away for a little bit, you might try going out on a quick errand or to a store you like just for an hour or so and see how it goes. That way DH can get his feet wet and if your LO is inconsolable you can get back quickly and won't feel like you're pulled out of your yoga class. Based on how it goes you'll probably have a feeling about leaving for longer stretches to meet up with friends.</p> <p>Regarding separation anxiety, I've found it usually comes and goes and will correlate with another developmental milestone. I know when my son got older (can remember 20 weeks!) it helped to talk to him when I needed to leave the room so he could begin to understand things like 'I'll be right back' or 'Mama is in here' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673497 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:59:23 +0000 Mrs.B 673497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: A is 6 months old and I still have yet to leave her for more then 45 minutes. She also has issues with taking a bottle but is finally starting to get better with it. We tried yesterday though and she flat out refused it again. I really don't mind having her with me all of the time. When she gets closer to 1 I'm going to try to start leaving her a little more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673476 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:53:23 +0000 travelgirl1 673476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: @Sammyfab: i feel like the yoga isn't a priority for me, and I don't have any urge to be away from A at the moment either. Honestly, if I could choose time away, I'd probably opt for a bath, or maybe a cup of tea with a book while DH had her for an hour. It feels like the yoga is something I'm considering because friends and DH are telling me I should... But I only just thought of it that way :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673444 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:46:08 +0000 Sammyfab 673444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that if it's a priority for you then you should go! That's awesome that your DH is so supportive and basically pushing you out the door!</p> <p>If you don't feel comfortable being away for the full 3 hours I'm sure your friends wouldn't mind if you stepped out early. You can gradually increase the time you're away from your LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673154 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:42:00 +0000 mrskc 673154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if the yoga is something you really want to do, then I would make an effort to go. But it doesn't really sound like it's a high priority to you right now. </p> <p>I go to work everyday and I'm gone about 6 hours. Other than that, I don't leave him very often. At most it's 2 hours and usually right after I feed him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673137 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:38:21 +0000 Dandelion 673137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't leave ds when he was little, until after he weaned, around 16 months. He never took a bottle, either, so I was a little stuck in that aspect. BUT, I was way over anxious with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673131 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:37:03 +0000 hilsy85 673131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weagle: mommy martyrs unite! I am totally the same way... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673129 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:36:47 +0000 hilsy85 673129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depends on whether you really want to go to yoga...Also, if you fed her right before you left, she should be fine til you got back?</p> <p>LO is also EBF and won't really take a bottle....the longest I've been away from him during the day is about 4 hours. He did get hungry during that time and ended up taking a bottle from DH. But usually I'm gone 2 hours or so and he's fine not eating during that time. I say try going to yoga! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673126 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:36:10 +0000 Weagle 673126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I rarely leave LO, but not because I think she *needs* me. I think I have a martyr complex. If there's anything I would change about the last year it is making sure I had some more "me" time away from LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-lo-is-ebf-how-often-do-you-leave-them#post-673110 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:33:51 +0000 travelgirl1 673110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to go to yoga with friends on a Saturday morning (only 5 of us, taught by a friend in her condo) and stopped when I was preg because I always felt sick and swollen. I had every intention of going back once A was born but she's 20 weeks now and I still haven't been. Now my friend is telling me I have to leave A and DH is more than capable of looking after her and it's true, but she's EBF and doesn't take a bottle. Yoga, plus travel time and a bit of chatting while I'm there, will take about 3 hours. DH thinks I should go back, leave a bottle and A will just learn to take it if she's hungry. I'm in no rush to go back though, plus my knees are still knackered from pregnancy. </p> <p>What do you think? Am I being too fussy/protective by not leaving her?</p> <p>What would you do?</p> <p>ETA: she has been showing signs of separation anxiety lately, crying if I leave the room, if that makes a difference... </p>