Ladies who BF/pump and work... need your help (long)

Rachelilly23 · January 2011

It's been awhile since I've posted here, but I need some help!

I went back to work in early November around the time DS was 5 months and I work 3 days a week. I'm away from him from 9-4 on those days and always pump once around noon. Since I only work 5 hours at a time, I can really only afford to pump that one time.

At DS' 6 month check up in early December, he had only gained 3 oz since his 4 month check up. We had a lot to do to get his weight up- he was 15th percentile at that time. I really should have been able to tell he wasn't growing- his clothes all fit the same and it became very difficult to nurse him. He would fight me every time and was always so cranky. I think he just started to prefer the bottle once I started working and became lazy at the breast. DH and I made the decision to supplement with formula to get his weight up and he gained 1lb 3 oz when he was weighed a week later.

I've sort of fallen into the trap of offering formula to him first before offering him the breast. I still always nurse him in the morning when he wakes up and at night before bed time. On days I don't work, I nurse him midday, but that's pretty much it. When I pump at work, I absolutely can't stand it. It's extremely slow and I feel like I'm not getting anything (I only ever get between 3-4 oz total now when I pump at that time.) I mainly pump now just to help my supply stay stable. I used to be able to get 6-8oz in the morning when I would pump first thing before DS woke up, but I feel like that could have contributed to his lack of weight gain since maybe my milk was low after that first pump and he wasn't getting enough.

My question is really pretty open. What would you do to try to lessen the amount of formula offered overall and boost supply back up? Obviously my supply dipped when I went back to work, so I know I need to boost it, but I'm just at a loss for how I can do it based on my schedule and an uncooperative 7 month old. DS is also at the point where he is sooooo distracted when he eats- he pulls off every couple minutes, looks around, etc...

Is it a lost cause? And words of wisdom would be great and very much appreciated! I thought of posting on the BFing board too but wanted to get advice from some of you who might be tackling the same problems. I've done some research online on kellymom and other sites, so I'm looking for more suggestions from ladies who've been through similar situations. TIA!

snoopysnoperson · January 2011

I work a 9 hour shift one day a week and a 4 hour shift. On my 9 hour shift day I get 2 10 min breaks and a 45 min lunch. So I can pump 3 times total if I want. Some days I only pump at lunch, somtimes I pump all three times. I only pump one side at a time because that is how I feed DD and my pump losses suction when I do both sides. I like to have a hand free as well. The only time my DD gets bottles is when I am at work or if she needs to eat and is with a caregiver. I have only fed her a bottle once (we were at Costco). I don't know if you have the patience to start cluster feeding your LO and not offer the bottle at all to him when you are at home. If the weight gain is still a problem it would make more sense to nurse him first then offer him a few ounces of formula AFTER a feeding if he still needs more.

Erika6504 · January 2011

Can you pump after you feed him? BFing is all about supply and demand. If you don't think he's getting enough, I woiuld BF him as long as you can and then once he's done pump and give him a bottle just to make sure he's getting enough. Also, do this on days that you aren't working.

Have you tried any milk stimulating supplements? I had great luck with Fenugreek when I was BFing DD.

And, I just noticed that we're neighbors I actually work in Fairfax!

AnnaBanana0327 · January 2011

I had supply issues when I returned to work. I work from approximately 8-5 everyday. I can only pump twice at work. What I did was add 2 pumping sessions a day to get extra milk to send in bottles for daycare. DD takes four 5 oz bottles while I'm at work. I pumped after my first morning feeding and at night about 1-2 hours after she went to sleep. I definitely brought my supply up but it did take over a week for me to see the results. Hope this helps!

islandgirl79 · January 2011

I was and am still in a similar situation. My personal choice was to continue with formula bottles and nurse LO when he wants to, which is around bed/nap time and when he wakes up in the night. I still pump at work 1 or 2 x to keep my supply up for the few times he wants to nurse.

I was very stressed about this but I have come to terms with it. If you hate pumping and your LO isn't enjoying nursing I would probably stop.

BeckyG. · January 2011

I definately agree with offering breast first before the formula bottle. I would also pump after feeding him each time (when possible) to help with supply. I know my LO drinks more from a bottle than when nursing, so I try to pump after to keep it up when I'm working. After being on winter break for these two weeks, my supply will be down just from EB for 2 weeks. It'll take a week or so to get back to normal. I have a handsfree bra for pumping that makes pumping and working alittle easier(I'm doing it right now!!)

Good luck!

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Ladies who BF/pump and work... need your help (long)

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