Do you prepare BM bottles for daycare?

Mrs.Albie

When I return to work (3 weeks), DS will be going to daycare.  I have to prepare bottles for him.  I've had supply issues, but have almost weaned DS off of formula supplements (*knock on wood*).  At this point, I do not have a good idea of how many ounces he drinks at one time.  I'm still BFing, so I'm not sure how much milk I'll get from pumping.  Pre-making bottles is a mystery to me at this point.  Also, I have no freezer stash.  I have a measly two ounces in my fridge...   

I'm wondering how you got ready to go back to work? 

Meg41208

I pumped after several feedings for a few days so that I would have enough to leave for DD my first day back without having to use frozen milk.

She takes between 3 and 3.5 oz in her bottles (there is a calculator on Kellymom.com that will estimate how many oz at a feeding), so I needed about 10oz for my first day (she stayed home with DH so he could have got frozen milk if he'd run out).

Now that she's in daycare, I always send 4 bottles even though she only takes 3, just in case she's still hungry.  I pump 3x at work and usually get what she needs plus a couple of oz.

Maybride2

Ditto Meg.  If you want your baby to have EBM on her first day of daycare, you're going to have to make a point of pumping after feedings to get enough to send.  Pumping after nursing might also help your supply as well, since greater demand usually = greater supply.

I think that my DS was taking about 4 oz of milk at a time, and was eating every 2-3 hours.  If you don't know how much your baby will take at each feeding, it's better to send in more smaller bottles than less bigger bottles........daycares have rules regarding how long a bottle can be kept after the baby has started drinking out of it, so if you send in bottles with too much in them they may have to toss some of it.  So sending in 4 bottles with 3 oz each is getter than sending in 2 bottles with 6 oz each. 

luvmagoldn

I had a small stash before I returned to work (40 oz or so) but only had to dip in to it to supply BM for that first day.  I was pumping three times while at work at first and sent 3, 4oz bottles to day care.  Now I only pump twice at work (just don't have time for the third) but pump before bed to get the oz I need.  Now I sent 3, 5oz bottles which seems to be working fine.

drcolleen

Ditto Megs, my Kate also gets 3-3.5oz bottles but I send 4 and if I am late she'll eat the 4th. ?I have been back to work since 6 weeks and it is interesting to see how easily I fell into a routine.... pick up LO, before she gets out of the car seat the milk goes in the fridge and if she is sleeping the milk is divided appropriately and nipples put on- bottles in cooler in fridge for DH to take to daycare.... Keep horns in a bag in the fridge at work....I would highly recommend getting a second or even third set of horns so you can skip days washing.

You too will be amazed at how your new life falls into place.

GL?

dr.girlfriend

Just a warning...my guy started out with 4 oz. bottles but pretty quickly went up to 5 oz. and then 6 oz. bottles.  I agree with starting by pumping after feedings as much as you can.  Then, I try to freeze the milk I pump on Friday and then pump enough during the weekend to make up Monday's bottles...that way I'm building up a day of freezer stash every week.  If that milk starts to get older I can use it and freeze new in its place.