EPing to go back to work?

bloverde

I posted on 0-3 and May 2012 about DS not being comforted by anyone but me and not falling asleep anywhere but my chest:

 https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/66816076.aspx

I'm sure this has a lot to do with breastfeeding. I really want him to have the benefits breast milk, but I'm really worried about him and DH when I go back to work. I'm so desperate that I am considering EPing so he can get used to others giving him bottles and being soothed by someone else. Would this help? Or would he still smell the BM on me?  

 

 

bloverde

Thanks. I didn't know if it would work, but I thought maybe if DS doesn't ONLY associate the smell of milk with me it would help.

I'm a resident. I will be working about 10-12 hour shifts 5 days a week, and then over night after a day shift every 4th day or so. So every 4th day is up to 28 hours, getting home around 10am and not going back until the next morning. There is no way I can extend my leave without jeopardizing my education for the next 5 years and my contract. 

Since he was 2 weeks I have been pumping for one night feeding while DH gives a bottle two times per week. Pumping a decent amount isn't currently a problem, although he was jaundiced because it took 6 days for my milk to come in. I drink Mother's Milk Tea, take Fenugreek and eat oatmeal daily. I have about 30oz frozen, but I can't use any of it because he is MSPI and it was pumped before I was on the diet. I now only have 8oz while on the diet. His night feedings take just as long as the day, about 40 minutes total. But when DH gives a bottle, I still have to comfort nurse him because he won't sleep anywhere but my chest. 

I'll try to establish a better routine. He pretty much always falls asleep at the breast and then I can't move or else he wakes. There's no routine about how to get him down to sleep anywhere else because nothing has worked so far. He also can go anywhere from 30 min to 3 hours between feedings. He has very little time during the day where he is awake and not crying. 

mesmom2011

Here are some tips for getting a breastfed baby to take a bottle.  https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/faqs/getting-baby-take-bottle

My DD is much like you describe your LO to be.  I did not have to return to work until she was 7 weeks old, but I was SO worried about how she would do with her daddy during the day because she was so attached to me.  They figured it out and having that time with her daddy is the best gift we could have given our DD. 

I would not give up nursing / move to EPing because your LO is going to need to nurse to reconnect with you as well as to help keep your supply up for those days when you are working. 

My suggestion is that you give your DH ideas of things that he can try and support him as he tries to comfort your LO (like the one below).  Here are some links about high-needs babies that I found helpful with my DD:  https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby 

A Checklist of 36 Time-Tested Baby Calmers

Wearing baby in a sling Dancing with baby Swinging baby Car rides Pushing baby in a carriage Taking a walk Bouncing on a trampoline Nursing while walking with baby Draping baby over a beach ball Comfort sucking: nursing, pacifiers, sucking on the move Music, tapes of womb sounds, heartbeats Echo baby's cry Tape recordings of baby's own cries Tick-tock of clock or pendulum swing of grandfather clock Singing lullabies Vibrating, humming gadgets wrapped in diaper or blanket Running water Tape of environmental sounds Metronome Ceiling fan; bathroom fan Sounds of vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, washer-dryer, air conditioner Show baby your "silly face" Magic mirror Fire in fireplace Gazing at traffic Watching parent on exercise machine Watching television or video Infant massage Warm fuzzy Neck nestle Nestle nursing A warm bath together Colic carries Eliminating bothersome foods from mother's diet if breastfeeding, or
changing formula Slowing down mother's lifestyle and changing her expectations Creating the most peaceful home environment.