Thinking Ahead re: Breastfeeding

atcwag

DH and I are currently TTC, but I'm really trying to prepare myself (and him) for some necessary "creative scheduling" in regards to baby and our careers.

My career and current position is most likely going to be unchanged by the time we have a LO.  DH's position is more up in the air since he is currently unhappy at his current place of employment.

I plan to take the full 12 weeks of FMLA.

I am committed to breastfeeding at least 6 months, preferably at least a year, but am looking for some REAL advice on how to make it feasible once I return to work.  I am also not sure how to even begin looking into childcare.

I work in the Sports Medicine department of the local hospital and provide Athletic Training coverage to a local high school.  Thus, I am covering various athletic events throughout the school year.  In the summer (mid June - mid July), I work approximately 30 hrs/week and can make my own schedule.

My schedule USUALLY looks something like this:
M/T/R: 1:00 PM - anywhere between 7:00 and 9:00 PM (in the office usually from 1-3, then out to my schools for sporting events)
W: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM (in the office)
F: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (at the school for sporting events)
Sat: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (in the office)

When I am in the office, I could take a "pump" break.  I would also be able to do this @ the school, but would have to get creative.

Right now, DH has T/R/F off of work.  However, during football season he coaches football and is @ practice on these days from 3:30-7.  He works M/W/Sat 8:00-7:00 and Sun 12-6.

Anyways, as you can see, our schedules are CRAZY.  Anyone else had any luck and or tips with making breastfeeding and childcare work with a crazy work schedule?

dragon_chica

My head seriously hurt just reading that!  How is baby going to fit into all of this craziness?  It sounds like you guys are going to do a lot of solo parenting.  TBH, I know it's doable and tons of people do it, I just can't imagine not having the support from DH especially in the beginning.  If your DH is seriously considering leaving his job how about he think about being a SAHD while he figures this out?  Would you guys be able to swing this?

As for BF-ing, depending on how good of a supply your breasts can produce will determine how often you need to pump.  I only had to pump every 3-4 hours but I have a friend that did it every 2 hours.  Each pumping session can take anywhere from 5 min.-30 min. For some it may take almost an hour just to get a few ounces.  Then calculate time spent washing the pump parts and storing them.  Since it looks like your work schedule is mainly in the afternoon and evening then the morning wouldn't be a problem.  Unless you are at home in the mornings then you can just nurse LO.

So if we were to look at your M/T/R schedule you should try to nurse or pump around 11:30 a.m. so the next time you need to pump is right before you're out of your office at 3.  That way you'll only need to worry about pumping again around 5 or 6.  That will be a bit tricky but this is where you just need to be upfront and tell folks you need a place to pump at a specific time.   Schedule that into that time period so everyone expects it at that certain time.  I've pumped in a car with a nursing cover before! When I was still pumping I scheduled it to happen right at recess so my co-teachers covered me for 10-15 min. and then I would run to the bathroom and come back to give them a break.  It was always at the same time so they knew what to expect.

I also want to add that if some of your commitments are voluntary you may want to consider paring it down a bit.  Stress is one of the biggest factor in killing your milk supply.  You need to evaluate what's doable and what can be cut back.

Jenilyn and Matthew

My head's spinning a little from all of the numbers, but your situation is definitely feasible. DH works a weekend schedule, and I'm on 3rd shift, so we do a lot of solo parenting as well.

We have "daddy day care" during the week, which is wonderful. If your DH would be willing, if he's unhappy at work, perhaps he could work part time, or take time off to provide child care if its financially okay.

As far as pumping, your body will adjust to your pumping schedule to a point. You can pump in your office, or in the car on the way to and from work or sporting events. I haven't pumped in the car, but I've heard of many who have successfully. You'll want to keep your body on a schedule as much as possible, so commute times could be a great way to make sure you're getting in at least a couple of regular planned sessions.

shannm

You can do it. Know that you will want to pump when your LO will be eating (approximately). If you have a good supply, you will be able to reduce this and likely pump less often than he/she eats. In your case, I would write out a schedule for each day and make a clear plan. Use your office when you can and your car when you are out. I pump in the car many afternoons when DH is driving home. No big deal.

You are likely to have a bit of a challenge for childcare. Because of your evening hours, a center probably won't work. If a nanny is out of your price range, I would shop around for a flexible in home.

KathrynMD

This sounds do-able to me, but challenging. You can pump in your car if you need. Lots of people buy multiple sets of tubing so they don't to be washed every time. I would worry about this closer to when its actually happening. Also - its great that you want to BF for at least 6 months, possibly a year and more power to you and lots of women do it w/ all kinds of crazy schedules. But, remember its a choice and its not all or nothing. You can BF while you are on ML and switch to formula when you go back to work or you can nurse at home, but do formula when you are gone or just pump once a day, etc. Don't lay all the stress of BFing on yourself before you know what your actual days will look like and how your baby is, etc.

EMOmamma

I don't think BFing is going to be your issue.  I think child care and routine will be the bigger problem.  Kids generally like routines so bouncing around to different places, different times, everyday is going to be hard.  Just remember, once you find out you're pg you still have about a year to get things sorted out (including ML).  

When do you and H even see each other now?  Do you ever both have the same day off?  

mexicolombiana

I agree, totally do-able.  Just think of pumping as an activity you MUST schedule and do every 4 hrs.  Just like a sporting event. 

It has a definite start and end time and just tell people around you that you're busy those specific times!

Buy at least one or two pumps and keep one in your office at all times, and take another with you travel so you can pump in the car with a cover if needed.  Buy a few cooler packs and cooler bags and you'll be all set.  

laurakaz13

I think you just need to relax and wait until the time comes to see what your supply is like.  Women make it work all the time, and pumping isn't that bad and can be done anywhere. 

I do tons of solo parenting b/c DH and I are both military officers who travel a lot.  He travels more.  It's easy once you get into a routine.  I would look into several different types  of childcare and extra help though. 

1026pumpkin

I would plan to try to pump about every 3 hours for 30 minutes.  A 9am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6-7pm, 9-10pm schedule looks like it would work for you most days.  Maybe on game days, you could try to get a session in between pre-game taping/stretching and going out to the field?  If you can pump right before the game starts, I would think you'd be able to last until it ends for your next session.

I would make sure that you get a double-electric pump and several sets of pump parts.  I pumped a lot on the go and I had the little Medela cooler to put bottles into and another cooler (I used the freebie ones that came with formula samples from the hospital) to hold pump parts.  My logic was that if the milk stayed good on ice, any milk in the pump parts would also stay good on ice.  I kept 2 sets of parts with me (and some extra membranes).  I would also wipe the horns out with the Medela wipes when I was done. Make sure you pack a nursing cover to pump under in case you're in the car or in a place where someone could walk in on you.

I pumped in the car quite a bit and would park in a remote spot (preferably between large vehicles) and I'd put the sun shade in the front window and get in the back seat where the tinting was darker to pump.  I'd also use the cover.  The Medela car adapter works great, and my PISA worked just as well as being plugged into the wall.

I also recommend a hands-free pump bra, so that you can play on your phone, read, email, or do something relaxing while you pump.  Try not to rush yourself because being stressed definitely kills your supply.

Pumping is really hard work, and I started with the goal to just make it through mat leave, then the first 6 months, then a year.  After I got back to work, I spent quite a few pump sessions crying in the car, but once I got it worked out, it really just became part of my routine.  The worst part was washing/sterilizing all the parts.  Since you get home so late, I'd recommend tossing everything in hot soapy water to soak overnight and then just wash/sterilize in the morning after you've had a good night's sleep.  Good luck! 

atcwag

Thank you everyone for all the great advice! I know we still have lots of time to figure all this out, but it is nice to hear encouragement that it is possible.

In looking back at my original post, I see how it's quite confusing and seems crazy. Believe me, I know it's crazy, but it's just the way life is for us!

Because someone asked, DH and I's "together" time looks something like this:

Monday - whenever I get home from work in the evening, usually between 7&9 until we go to bed.  We tend to be night owls - especially when DH doesn't have to work the next day and since I don't go into the office until early afternoon.  I know this will change once we have a LO, but for now it's our "together" time.

Tuesday - DH has off and doesn't go to football practice until 3:30, so we're home together (and could parent together) until I go into the office @ 1:00.  We're together again when I get home from work, same as Monday.  Once football season is over, he is home all day and we wouldn't need childcare this day.

Wednesday - I don't go into work until 3, DH works all day.  I see him at night when I get home around 9.

Thursday - DH has off again, I go into work @ 1:00.  See each other before I go to work and once I get home.

Friday - DH has off of work, I don't go into work until 5.  So we're home all day together.  During football season, I'm obviously with him all day since we're at the game together.

Saturday - DH works all day, I work until 1:00.  We see each other when he gets home.

Sunday - We're together before DH goes to work @ 12:00 and once he gets home.

Looking at this again in a different way, if DH was still in the same position when we have a LO, we would need childcare on Monday afternoon/evening, Tuesday while DH is at FB practice, Wednesday afternoon/evening, Thursday while DH is at football practice, Friday evening, and Saturday morning/early afternoon.  Other than a few hours here and there, this may be childcare that my mother/MIL would be willing to cover.  Other than that, we may be able to find a "few hours" each week person.

jteneback

Maybe I'm crazy (or maybe it's because I'm out of the house 12 hours a day) but I think your schedule is fine, if unusual.  You will each have some time on your own with the baby, and you will need limited amounts of child care likely on an hourly basis. 

As for pumping, you just need to be organized and have your coolers, power supply, extra parts, etc. all lined up.  I was also very committed to BFing a year and I have pumped in some weird places.  It can be done if it's important to you. 

cecilyandgautam

I'm sorry I don't fully understand your schedule but since it varies from day to day and you'll be in different places, you may need to get comfortable with pumping under creative circumstances. On your office days, you can just close the door & pump. When you're out & about, there may or may not be a private place to pump, in which case I'd encourage you to get comfortable with the idea of pumping in a secluded area under your nursing cover. Plenty of moms I know have pumped in empty airport terminals using their nursing cover - it's not 100% private, but it's better than a bathroom. 

I think this willingness to get creative is crucial in reaching your breastfeeding goals. I recently was on an international work trip, which had a few days of 0 private time - I pumped in the backseat of moving van under my nursing cover between meetings. It literally was my only opportunity all day and it worked!