Taking My Baby Out for New Year's

Hi J.,
Well my son is 12 mo. and from the very begining we socialized him. I breast fed until very recently.So I understand the issue! Is there a place where you are going that you can go and feed? That is always an option. Also, I am sure that this might disrupt her sched for a few days, but I would assume that it will not do anything that can not be readjusted quickly. I say relax, and just go with the flow. You should go, take her, and you may be surprised at how well it goes! Turn over a new leaf with her for the new year! Have a happy holiday!

Time with your husband is very important. It's time to introduce formula, at 8 mos she should be sleeping through the nite without any additional feedings. Is having a babysitter feasible? Can you pump and leave a bottle? If not than maybe you can come home to feed her. It's time you and your hubby have fun. i have 2 boys ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2. we try to get out once a week by ourselves even if it is to go food shopping.

Hi there,
I can empathize with you - I've been through this with two of my own. Even though New Year's Eve is over, I have a suggestion. I think this goes beyond a decision about what to do for just one night and is more of an issue that will take sime time to resolve - but start now! At 8 months old, the baby should not need to nurse/eat a few hours after bedtime. You may want to talk to your pediatrician about how to get the little one sleeping through the night - or at least making it through the night without eating. With all the methods, you'll have to find what works best for you. But the bottom line is that the baby is conditioned to being attended to at 10:00, which isn't necessary for a baby of that age. I know that sounds rough, but medically, it's true. Everybody will be much happier and better adjusted when the baby isn't depending on that feeding. The first few days/weeks are not easy but it is worth it. In the meantime,I wouldn't tote her around, wake her up, etc. You'll have to wean her off of the habit, but at the same time keep some consistency. Good luck.

This advice is too late for New Year's Eve but next time this happens consider this. Your child WILL sleep anywhere and at 8 months she is still small enough to be able to take her places with you. however it will not harm her to get a baby sitter occasionally. I learned the hard way that if you put the child before your husband every time he will eventually stop asking you to do things with him.

I have breastfed both of my children. The first until she was almost 2 and the second going on 15 months. Personally, I think you should get rid of the 10 p.m. feeding, she doesn't need it, let her cry. After 3 nights, she'll been weaned off that feeding and should sleep through the night. BOth of my children we were weaned of that feeding early and slept from 7 to 7.

Get a sitter and leave a bottle if your daughter is truly hungry, she'll drink from a bottle.

I know New Year's is over but go out to dinner with your hubby ALONE, it's what keeps a healthy happy marriage going.

Good luck.

J.
It is a dilema. We really tried to make our first daughter adaptable and would take her out with us. With a second that kind of thing is now a lot harder. But we would take our first out with us. She would stay up later than usual but have a good time and eventually go to sleep on one of us. If she woke up I would breastfeed her back to sleep. The other alternative is to hire a babysitter, she may have a rough time around the usual 10 pm. But the thing is that kids are often different with non-parents and may just be able to comfort her back to sleep...why not try? I would not even think about trying a bottle if you have not been using one (and surely not formula on a baby that is breastfed!).
Good luck and Happy New Year

hi, i empathize totally. we came home at 7:15 on new year's to put our 13 month old to sleep. then we shared some champagne and went to sleep. this worked for us because we enjoy being home and there was no conflict between us about this situation, but we definitely feel differently about our daughter's sleep habits; i am much more anxious and on top of this part of her life than he is. it's been hard for us at times. recently, i have decided that it is better that i stick to what i feel is right for her, and for me, and find other creative ways to stay connected with my husband. our pediatrician gave us good advice about the ongoing separation process: to always work at your edge of comfort but not go too far beyond it so that you don't feel so miserable or anxious that it outways the benefits. for example, in your case, i might have gone out after the nurse down and then be home at 10, and either stay home for the rest of the night and be fine that my husband stayed out, or leave again for a couple hours. i think it's important to honor what works for you and find a middle ground with your husband. i also like to remember that her needs will change and the 10pm feeding is temporary. we did not sleep train because that would have been too far outside what was comfortable to me at this time. best wishes on this ongoing negotiation!!

Hi J.!
My son who is now 19 mos. old went to his first wedding at 1 mos. old and has been to lots of parties since (including New Year's this year) I just weaned him 3 weeks ago, and although I could probably leave him with a babysitter we don't because we live pretty far out in the country and just feel better having him close. (We have left him at the babysitter's house in town on occasion) While I was still breastfeeding him to sleep (he refused the bottle)we would just take the babysitter with us, that way we could enjoy the party and he was there so when he was ready to go to sleep I could breastfeed him. To this day he is such a social and flexible little guy and I accredit it to having taken him everywhere. He probably has more fun at parties than I do.
Before he could walk he was so content to sleep in his portable car seat, under tables at restaurants or in an extra bedroom at a house party. (Of course we checked on him every 5 minutes!) I guess if you plan on going out to a club none of these solutions would work for you.
It is such a short time in your life that you get to breastfeed your baby and if it means staying in one New Years or missing some event this won't last forever.Hopefully your husband will understand this because at this point the world does revolve around the little one and you do have to make lots of sacrifices. But try and take her out and see how it goes, a baby is a great conversation starter and you will be able to enjoy yourself more and not worry so much about her waking up without the breast.

Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family