xp: EBF and Working Poll

SandiaPinaMama

So, I have a few questions about what you do about this EBF and work situation.  

1.  How many hours are you at work?

2.  How many times do you pump?

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it?

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)?

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC?

Jacqui105

1. Working 8 hour days including lunch, four days a week. 2. I pump twice at work (pump at home at 7, at work at 10:30 & 1:30). Feed baby at home before 5. 3. I have noticed a tiny supply drop but I also think it is just a natural progression of my body regulating my supply. I definitely had oversupply issues at first. Mothers milk tea, maintaining a pump session on weekends has helped. 4. She eats 3 5oz bottles at daycare and one 3oz serving of solids. Nurses as soon as I get her, more for comfort than need, and then I offer more around 6 before we offer solids, then nurse to sleep at 730, she doesnt take in a whole lot then I think. 5. See number 4

SecondTimeinMSU

1) 8.5 hrs 5 days a week

2) Usually 4 times plus extra morning sessions on the weekend

3) Maybe a slightly drop but mainly he increased his eating over time and my pumping output has never caught up to the demand. I tried a lot of the tips, fenugreek, more water and nothing has really helped. I've just been going thru my freezer stash and soon I'll need to start supplimenting with formula cause I am almost out.

4) 5) He usually eats three 6 oz bottles while I am gone and 2-3 breastfeedings at home (depending upon when he got his last bottle at daycare). Plus now between feedings he eats cereal (AM), half jar of fruit (midday) and half jar of fruit/whole jar of veggies (PM).  

jandy09

1.  How many hours are you at work?

8.5 M-TH

2.  How many times do you pump?

Twice, ~9:30 & 3 I go home for lunch.

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it?

My supply fluctuates (stress, less sleep, growth spurts etc). I do have a freezer stash that helps even it out.

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)?

Twice while I am away & about 5 times at the breast.

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC?

Averages about 4.5oz.

walkercpa

1. 8-hour days, Monday through Friday

2. 3 times: my work hours vary, but I basically try to pump when LO typically eats at DC. Approx every 3 hours.

3. I have struggled with supply issues for awhile; not sure whether it was related to going back to work, getting an IUD, stress, or a combination of all of these. I tried mother's milk tea and lactate support supplements with almost no effect. I drink a lot of water, eat a bowl of oatmeal every day, and recently have added domperidone into the mix. The dom is definitely helping...it's the only thing I can say so far that has made a definite difference. I am now producing enough every day for the next day's bottles, plus a little extra sometimes.

4. He has 6 "milk meals" per day; 3 at the breast, at home and 3 at DC, plus 2-3 solid meals per day

5. His bottles are around 4.5-5 ounces.

Bejebus

watermelon mom:

So, I have a few questions about what you do about this EBF and work situation.  

1.  How many hours are you at work? Drop off at 7:30, pick up at 5, 8.5 hours

2.  How many times do you pump? Twice

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it? slight, but not bad. When AF showed once my supply dropped, and if I don't drink enough water. I have oatmeal for breakfast almost every morning and force myself to drink water.

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)? every 2.5 to four hours, at home or DC.

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC? I send four bottles with 4 oz each, she usually takes 3 during the time I'm gone. She also gets one or two feedings of solids.

catsinawindow

 1.  How many hours are you at work?  Usually around 8 hrs.

2.  How many times do you pump? 2 times - I usually get between 4.5 and 6 oz each time.

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it?  I've been back at work since 6 weeks.  My supply ebbs and flows depending on what and how much I eat and drink, my stress level (and other things) but I haven't noticed a general decline.  During the "ebbs" I try to eat more milk-producing foods (like lactation cookies, yum!) and drink more water to bring it up.  It usually works.

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)?  About every 3 hours during the day now.  At night he usually goes one 6 hour stretch.

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC?  I send 2 five oz bottles.  He usually finishes his AM bottle, and sometimes leaves an oz or so in his afternoon bottle.  Now that he's started solids, his DC provider uses a little from one of his bottles to make cereal.  She also gives him some fruit or veggies with the cereal.  I also try to time it so that I can feed him just before I drop him off, and right after I pick him up, so I don't have to pump as often.

mrs.jenRN

1. How many hours are you at work? I work two 12 hour shifts

2. How many times do you pump? twice

3. Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it? No significant change. If I ever feel my supply start to drop, I offer to nurse more frequently and she always takes it.

4. How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)? She is still every 2-3 hours. I work night shift so she only eats twice while I'm gone, which I thnk has helped in keeping my supply up. I think it would have really tanked if I worked two-three 12 hour shifts a week. There's no way I would have the time to pump at work that often.

5. How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC? My H gives her two 5 oz bottles when I'm at work.

jolynn326

watermelon mom:

So, I have a few questions about what you do about this EBF and work situation.  

1.  How many hours are you at work? - I am away from DD for 10 hours (7:30-5:30)

2.  How many times do you pump? - three (9:00, 12:00, 3:00) or sometimes only two (10:00, 2:00)

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it? - I had an oversupply at the beginning, so while my supply has decreased, I don't blame it on returning to work as much as just my body evening things out.

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)? - Not totally sure, but usually three times when I'm away from her. She nurses 2-3 times before she goes to bed for the night, and 1-2 times over night/early morning before I go to work.

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC? - She usually takes 3-4 oz at a time, I believe. 

honkytonk_kid

1. 12 hour shifts/ about 13-14 hours away from LO

2. Twice.

3. I haven't noticed a drop. I worry about it though, so I try to drink lots of water and eat oatmeal.

4. 2 bottles at daycare, sometimes one before I get home. Then he nurses before I leave, as soon as I get home, usually once more, bedtime, and 1-2 times overnight. So 6-9 times a day total.

5. He drinks 4-5oz bottles 

MissYouDietCoke

So, I have a few questions about what you do about this EBF and work situation.  

1.  How many hours are you at work?  6h, 3days per week (and night time after LO goes to bed)

2.  How many times do you pump? 1

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it? Yes, but I think it has more to do with me not drinking enough water.  So I'm making an effort to consume more while at work.

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)? I send 2 bottles, and typically get there in the middle of the 2nd, so I go home and breast feed him immediately.  On the occasions that I get to him before they start bottle #2, she keeps it until the next day, and I feed him when I get home.  I feed him when he gets up at 530a, and then again right before we get in the car at 8a (typically only sips for 5min here), then about 3 when we get home, 530p when he wakes up from nap #3, and 730pm bedtime.  He's refused solids so far. 

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC?I send 2 7oz bottles. Some days I get to him before he starts #2, some days he finishes both.  It depends on how he naps, really.

cougarlicious

watermelon mom:

So, I have a few questions about what you do about this EBF and work situation.  

1.  How many hours are you at work?

2.  How many times do you pump?

3.  Have you noticed a drop in supply since you went back to work, and if so, what are you doing about it?

4.  How often is your LO eating (at the breast or at DC)?

5.  How many oz does your LO take at each feeding at DC?

1. 11 hrs away from home - 7-6pm

2. 4 times, 30 min each time

3. I went back at three months, which coincided with his growth spurt, so I've always been chasing supply. I tried Dom, fenugreek, tea, oatmeal....honestly, I think just the frequent pumping and nursing on weekends has kept my supply to match his needs. But ever since he's started solids, and I went on my first overnight trip away, my supply has been slipping. I've had to make up ounces from my very meager freezer stash....I'm hoping to be able to make it to 11 months without needing formula.

4. 3 bottles with the nanny, 2-3 nursings overnight and in morning

5. 5 ounces per bottle