Baby or wedding?

[Chrisada]

I'm going to try tonight. DH told me to drink a crap load of water until then.

[Michele]

You said he cries if you are gone for only a few hours? A 4 month baby can usually make it 4 hours with out feeding...especially if it's just a onetime event. Try to cluster feed before you leave him (like every 15-20 min for about 2 hours beforehand to 'tankhim up'.

The biggest thing I'm reading fromyour post is that he doesn't seem to be able tone comforted by anyone but mom. You might want to also work on that instead if just the bottle issue. Do you have a baby carrier? Like an Ergo or a sling or a Bjorn? Encouraging dad to wear him during the day will help dad learn ways to comfort him. And if he likes the carrier, grandma and grandpa can wear him too. Russ used to wear Daegan when he mowed, washed dishes, played video games. It was really helpful since Daegan was so fussy (in hindsight - I didn't realize that wasn't the norm at the time ). Daegan also likes to watch Russ playvideo games. If you DH plays, maybe the baby would watch? Both of mine were 'watching' the TVby 4 months old. Does he like a bath? Could dad give him a bath when you aregone? Maybe dad and baby in the tub together? That could pass a bit of time.

But as to you original question, I think it's reasonable to skip adult only affairs when you have an exclusively breastfed baby.

[Chrisada]

Hi Michele, I will feed Pierce and as soon as I leave he will start crying. He's not hungry, but is just used to being with me all day. I hold my babies alot and we co-sleep. I definitely use carriers, so maybe we can get DH to use one when he can, all though he is on surgical rotation right now. I swear I just keep changing my mind as to whether we should go or not. I have until this Friday to decide.

You may have already tried this...but I would pump on one side while bf'ing on the other side. I was always able to pump more that way.

[Chrisada]

You may have already tried this...but I would pump on one side while bf'ing on the other side. I was always able to pump more that way.

Yup, DH just told me to try this. Of course I have yet to try pumping again. I am such a procrastinator. But today, I gave him some rice cereal and he was so happy! He has been wanting to eat. I even gave him seconds.

[Chrisada]

We went to the ped. yesterday. One reason he wants to nurse so much is because he's not getting enough calories from my milk, so we will start supplementing with formula after I nurse him. This will also help him to take milk from someone else. She also suggested that I *gasp* put him down more and keep him in his bouncy more. Finally, she said that DH and other people need to hold him for longer periods so that he can get used to others. So DH is supposed to hold him for at least a 1/2 hour while I leave the room or go on an errand. Yesterday, DH held him for 0 minutes even after I told him what the ped. suggested, so we'll see how that goes. But she said I should definitely go to the wedding and he will be ok. So I RSVP'd. I'm excited!

[v-girl]

Have hubby wear the baby while hanging out at home or working in the yard. Heck, even grocery shopping or a trip to Home Depot. I have a tan Ergo you can borrow if your carrier isn't "manly" enough. Hubby loved the Ergo!

Good luck and I'm proud of you! I missed a wedding because it was "no kids allowed" and I couldn't find childcare that would allow me to nurse and then be gone a few hours (needed a sitter in Dallas).

[HouseofWool]

Good for you Christine! It is really hard for the little ones. Since we have moved back into my parents house, I have been asking them to be the ones to get Sophie up from her naps so she is used to seeing someone else instead of just me. It is getting better, she is more readily comforted by them than she was even just a week ago.

[Chrisada]

Have hubby wear the baby while hanging out at home or working in the yard. Heck, even grocery shopping or a trip to Home Depot. I have a tan Ergo you can borrow if your carrier isn't "manly" enough. Hubby loved the Ergo!

Good luck and I'm proud of you! I missed a wedding because it was "no kids allowed" and I couldn't find childcare that would allow me to nurse and then be gone a few hours (needed a sitter in Dallas).

Thanks for the offer! Luckily, we do have a Bjorn, which DH really likes. Unluckily, he is on surgery. He is still not taking that much formula at all, but I am being persistent with it. Now if I could find a girdle for the wedding to hold in my mommy pooch!! Anyone tried Spanx?

[Auspicious]

Anyone tried Spanx?

Yes, I love Spanx! Also Assets from Target, which were less expensive and work nearly as well last time I checked.

Good luck!

[DCJenn]

Spanx rock- the Assets are good but not industrial "am i doing permanent damage to my internal organs?" strong.

Jenn

[Chrisada]

I'll be spending more on the Spanx than on the dress! But I have a serious pooch, you know that little roll that hangs!

[Meenah]

I think Spanx should be illegal!!!! I couldn't breathe.

[Flynn]

I'm late here but this happened to me too often.

Both of my oldest kids refused bottles. It was AWFUL.

I would either take baby or stay home. To me, it's not fair to the people you leave baby with including the older child. It was MY idea to breast feed knowing this was a potential downside.

I'd plan a different outing with my husband to soften the blow of bring baby or not going at all.

But that's me. Needless to say DS #2 and child #3 in my house was completely bottle fed.

[Chrisada]

I'm late here but this happened to me too often.

Both of my oldest kids refused bottles. It was AWFUL.

I would either take baby or stay home. To me, it's not fair to the people you leave baby with including the older child. It was MY idea to breast feed knowing this was a potential downside.

I'd plan a different outing with my husband to soften the blow of bring baby or not going at all.

But that's me. Needless to say DS #2 and child #3 in my house was completely bottle fed.

You know that is exactly how I felt at first. But after talking to the ped. I really feel that he will be ok. after every nursing, I am now supplementing with a bottle. He is making progress, though slowly. I am also putting him down more and letting him cry occasionally (really hard for me). But DH and I rarely leave our children and hardly ever have an adult evening out. And he is really looking forward to going and seeing me get dressed up! He even helped me pick out a dress. I'll probably hire a babysitter during the next couple of weeks and leave him with her for an hour to help with the adjustment. But I know at the end of the day,he'll be ok.