SO nervous to go back

lrenae1647 · August 2009

One week from today I have to go back to work and I'm freaking out! How am I going to pump at work without everyone knowing what I'm doing?? I work with mostly older men and there's no lactation near my building so the bathroom will have to do, but the few women that do work on my floor are going to have to put up with the harmonious pumping sounds and I just know it's going to be embarrassing!

Also, Ava starts an in-home daycare next week and since I have been exclusively bfing, I have no idea how much she eats per feeding, so I don't know how much to send with her! I know I should pump and feed her a bottle so she's used to the bottle and then I will know how much she eats, but the last 2 times I've tried, she ate only 1 oz and screamed the rest of the time...not fun times! Then once I figure out how much she eats, how do I send the milk? Do I thaw it myself at home the night before and make up my own bottles, or just bring the frozen bags...I don't know how to do all this!!!

Sorry to ramble, but there's so much that's about to happen and I'm clueless and nervous! Thanks for letting me vent!! How did you guys handle everything???

nellieboo · August 2009

I'm sorry....not sure how to help on the pumping. As for bottles, DD has had a hard transition in daycare. This is my 4th week back to work and the most she's taken during the day is about 3-4 oz. She wasn't taking it at home either so the first few bottles I made for daycare were 1 oz each of fresh milk. That way she could try the first bottle, if she didn't take it then it can be reheated once. If she didn't take it the 2nd time, that milk was dumped and she'd try the 2nd bottle the next time she thought she was hungry. I also sent a couple bags in case she got her to eat. Now I thaw 3-4 oz frozen milk in the fridge at night and make up 2 bottles, plus send a couple bags of fresh milk in case she decides to eat. I was going to bring a frozen bag to keep in her freezer, but haven't done that yet. Since DD reverse cycles we've been spending our evenings nursing and not much else! Some girls on the breastfeeding board said their LO's never took more than 10-15 oz during the day and just made up for it at night. I'm hoping DD eventually decides to eat more from a bottle!

It will be ok and you will figure it out. I will say though it sucks and it's hard. GL, I hope it's a smooth transition for you!!

lkstor · August 2009

going back to work stinks! i don't blame you for being nervous!

you'll get used to pumping - even with other people around. i'm sure the women will be supportive

i would get your husband (or other friend or family member) to give her the bottle when you are not around (leave the house and go for a walk or something). she will probably not take it as well from you.

average amount of breastmilk for a 24 hour period is 24 to 30 ounces. so you can figure out how many times she eats and estimate the size of each meal.

ask your daycare provider if he/she prefers bags or bottles. most of us will send "fresh" milk from the day before - from the fridge. for example, tomorrow (tues) i will send milk that i pumped today (mon). the only exception is mondays since i don't pump on the weekends - i will defrost the oldest milk from my stash and send that.

page with any questions and good luck!

Runaway Bride! · August 2009

DD has been in daycare for 3 weeks and I'm still trying to figure out how much BM she takes at a time. After tossing a bunch of milk the first few days because she started sippies of milk and didn't finish, I asked them to only put a couple of ounces in at a time.

Daycare providers are experts at getting babies to take bottles, so just because she won't take one from you, doesn't mean that she won't take a bottle from them.

Good luck to both of you! It does get easier!

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