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We have twins, so DH learned immediately how to soothe a screaming baby while I fed the other. Around 3.5 months they gave up paci and swaddle and became boob monsters so now we have more problems with them preferring me.

Does he take a paci? Do you have a yoga ball to bounce him on? I'd probably do a bootcamp before your trip where you get out of the house with LO1 and give him all the crutches possible (paci, bottles, swaddles, carrier if you have one, swing, yoga ball, bouncer, EVERYTHING!) and let them go at it until they figure their own strategy. I had many baby soothing techniques (in addition to boobs!) that worked for me but not DH. He had to find what worked for him!

I think it really took until I went back to work and he had to be the only soother when I was gone when he was the caretaker to fully master it. Now he's great! Sometimes better than me if she isn't hungry

Honestly, immediately. He had to find things that worked for him. And my boobs were defunct so we had no fall back. He often walked E outside, far away from me, which worked the best. I think E knew when I was around or just knew that I would step in. So I didnt. And it sucked at first. The 5S, yes! He did angry shushing and set E high on his collarbone. I read somewhere that the deep rumble of a man's voice is soothing

Baby may not get what he wants, but he's gotta learn that daddy is ok, too! Especially with that trip coming up

It came in waves. Early on, when I was a hormonal recovering wreck, he was a champ at bouncing her on the yoga ball while I convalesced. Then, she got the hang of nursing, he went back to work and she was a mama's girl for a long time. She has had brief daddy's periods and he gained "skills" with her bit by bit. Now at 15 months, I can say confidently that she is just as happy with either of us, but since I am still nursing, I will win if she wants to nurse and I'm around.

awww.. we gave DS a bottle from day 1 and I only nursed in the middle of the night, so DH was able to sooth him early on. Pumping and bottle feeding made life with a toddler and newborn a little easier for us.

good luck!!

Immediately here too. I had trouble with breastfeeding, so I exclusively pumped and LO took a bottle early on. DH was far more patient with LO than I was and would walk him around our basement when he was screaming bloody murder for hours. I needed it for my sanity, and I don't think the next will be any different.

I think almost right away, but it's always much harder if I was around, first because the kid could smell milk, and then because he decided he can get away with more with me. He still falls asleep way faster if DH puts him to bed.

Oh, and long walks in the cold did wonders until he was like 9 months... but they're not everyone's cup of tea

@Espion: Yes. Luckily for us, LO was pretty susceptible to the 5 S's. He would swaddle, shush, swing/sway her and let her suck on his pinky finger. I can't remember if he did the side lying part.

ETA: I second or third the advice to do some trial runs. Your DH may find that baby is easier to soothe when you're not home and boobs are not an option.

I think the hardest part for DH is knowing the tools and tricks to sooth. He often tries one thing and when it doesn't work, he just either keeps trying or gives up. So I would also look at making sure DH has some tools like a paci, swaddle, 5 S's, swing, going outside, etc.

I was BF, and DS wouldn't take a bottle til 6 months - but feeding never really soothed him due to his TT, so DH was just as good as me from the start. For the first 2 months we both used the exact same method, which was tie him up nice and snug in the moby and dance around to Bon Iver at ear splitting volume!

I think it took a lot longer then 4 weeks, but if you are not in the house then maybe baby will respond differently. I've heard babies can smell the milk and can tell when mom is close by! While you're gone I would make sure he has a back up for someone to call to give him a break if your babe is inconsolable.

Immediately here too but my baby will not nurse for comfort. Try having him watch the 5s's on you tube and encourage him to sing, both work well here, I think she likes the deep sound.