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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.

@Weagle: mommy martyrs unite! I am totally the same way...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'

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!

@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!

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!

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

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.

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!

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.