Breastfeeding while being a WM

kmt1986 · November 2011

I've never really lurked on this board and am curious about this question, so I apologize if this has been asked before.

Did any of you breastfeed after you went back to work? How hard was it?

I'm trying to make up my mind if I want to swap to formula when I go back to work. It seems like such a hassle to pump and make sure there is enough for each day at daycare, plus the time it takes to actually breastfeed when you're home. I'm a FTM, so I want to make things as easy as possible.

I know breast is best, but my mom couldn't breastfeed me, so she's no help on this question! My brother and I were both formula babies and we never had any "problems." But, I also know that breastfeeding helps support her immune system, which is needed in a daycare environment.

Thoughts?

ENev · November 2011

You'll find a lot of women on here who breastfed even while going back to work. I did it for a full year and plan to again with this baby.

It's challenging at first but once you get into a groove, it's not so bad, and it feels good to do it for your baby! It's great for your metabolism, too, and it's less expensive than formula!

I will say to not expect too much in the immunity department ... my son was breastfed exclusively for his first year and still got every sickness under the sun at daycare. It's a bummer, but there's not much you can do.

Good luck!

ladipale · November 2011

Its totally personal preference and how your body responds to the pump, stress from work, etc.

I was able to pump successfully for 7 months and my daughter only ate breast milk, I was able to pump enough each day for the next day. It was a commitment, thats for sure. I had to pump 3 times at work and once more before I went to bed each night. I decided to stop after I got sick twice in a month and my supply tanked and then I just couldn't keep up anymore and was driving myself crazy. It was a hard decision for me to stop pumping, but once I did I felt much better.

We still BF in the morning and at night. It doesn't take any longer (at least for us) to BF than to make and feed a bottle.

indika236 · November 2011

It's totally possible to work and continue to breastfeed exclusively. I do it! You just need a good pump. There are going to be days that you don't feel like pumping...And formula is the easier option. But for us, this was a commitment I made and I will stick it out as long as I can. I also have a post in my blog about working and breastfeeding with some other information that might be helpful for you

Good luck!

Momtobug31 · November 2011

I could write a dissertation in response to your post, but I suggest you go on kellymom.com, and the BF board here to start. You don't need to make up your mind now. Give it your best effort and once you return to work, see how it goes. I highly, highly recommend trying to pump at work, but it definitely was a pain in the butt for me.

If you formula feed your baby, of course they will be fine with "no problems" as you say. That's not the point. If it's important to you to breastfeed, do it. For some women, it's worth the hassle of pumping, trying to make enough etc. For others, it's not. Only you can decide this. And again, you don't need to decide now.

I applaud you for thinking about this now, but relax, and just focus on what you're going to do when baby gets here. It may be harder to breastfeed than you think, so focus on nursing first and establishing that relationship, not pumping and what you're going to do when you go back to work. Also, know that you can hire a lactation consultant if you need to - that will be money well spent.

Good luck!

kmt1986 · November 2011

That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

sensoregurl · November 2011

I'm still breastfeeding. My son is 17 months old and we never had to supplement with formula. I work 32 hours/week. It was not hard. He loves bfing and I love the bonding time. The time it takes to breastfeed at home is the best part - you get to sit and snuggle with your baby. It's a great chance to sit and reconnect - and forces you to sit and reconnect instead of handing the baby a bottle and running around/make dinner etc.

That being said if you decide to go formula, I truly believe it's not as big of a deal as the militant bfers sometime make it seem.

Do your research though. There are studies that show benefits to breastfeeding that they are just beginning to understand. Things that may not show up as problems you would obviously associate with formula feeding.

The only thing that I thought that sucked was pumping. I pumped 3 times/day at work. It was a pain, but I considered it totally worth it. I was able to feed my baby basically for free, and he got the benefits of my milk all the time.

Also, you don't have to make up your mind now You have lots of time.

Good luck!

madhatter2003 · November 2011

I breastfed for over a year with both. I wouldn't switch to formula unless you have to. I enjoyed nursing/pumping as it gave me a connection to my kids when I was away from them all day...I know that's not the case for everyone but it was for me.

It's not a hassle to pump once you get the hang of it. Sure at times it is, but overall it's NOT that big of a deal. I blocked time out on my calendar each day around my meetings and just took stuff with me to read/work on while pumping, etc.

Momtobug31 · November 2011

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

I assume you work in a small office then because federal law mandates that companies provide a place for nursing mothers to pump. I believe this only applies to companies of a certain size though. Pumping in the car isn't so bad. I've done this many times. You can park somewhere relatively private, put on a nursing cover, put on your car radio and pump away. I've pumped in airports, in my seat on a plane, at conventions/conferences, public bathroom stalls, etc. You will be surprised at how adaptable you become. Obviously, you want a comfortable place to do it every day, so maybe talk to your boss. I'm sure you'll be able to work something out.

If you're committed to it, you will make it work. Don't stress too much about the details now!

kmt1986 · November 2011

wondersgirl:

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

I assume you work in a small office then because federal law mandates that companies provide a place for nursing mothers to pump. I believe this only applies to companies of a certain size though. Pumping in the car isn't so bad. I've done this many times. You can park somewhere relatively private, put on a nursing cover, put on your car radio and pump away. I've pumped in airports, in my seat on a plane, at conventions/conferences, public bathroom stalls, etc. You will be surprised at how adaptable you become. Obviously, you want a comfortable place to do it every day, so maybe talk to your boss. I'm sure you'll be able to work something out.

If you're committed to it, you will make it work. Don't stress too much about the details now!

You're right. Less than 50 people in our corporate office, which is where I am. There's over 300 in the company, just not in our office. I guess I could work something out with the office upstairs. They have a mother's room and I do work for the building's operations manager...

skyejo · November 2011

My DD is 13 months and I'm still BF.

I pumped throughout my mat leave and until she was 11 months. By pumping during my leave I was able to get a huge freezer stash so if I didn't pump enough one day for what she was going to eat the next day it wasn't a big deal. I just supplemented with what was in the freezer.

It was a pain to pump and fomula would have been way easy but it was important to me to BF.

madhatter2003 · November 2011

kmt1986:
wondersgirl:

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

I assume you work in a small office then because federal law mandates that companies provide a place for nursing mothers to pump. I believe this only applies to companies of a certain size though. Pumping in the car isn't so bad. I've done this many times. You can park somewhere relatively private, put on a nursing cover, put on your car radio and pump away. I've pumped in airports, in my seat on a plane, at conventions/conferences, public bathroom stalls, etc. You will be surprised at how adaptable you become. Obviously, you want a comfortable place to do it every day, so maybe talk to your boss. I'm sure you'll be able to work something out.

If you're committed to it, you will make it work. Don't stress too much about the details now!

You're right. Less than 50 people in our corporate office, which is where I am. There's over 300 in the company, just not in our office. I guess I could work something out with the office upstairs. They have a mother's room and I do work for the building's operations manager...

definitely ask. The old building I worked in had 1 room that all the companies in the building shared. The worst they could do is say no, and if they do then talk to your boss. You could always use a file room, storage room, etc.

jess!ca · November 2011

I would give it a try! I am doing it now, and while there are some challenges, it's not as hard as I imagined. I have a busy job and I'm out of the office alot. My car adaptor for my pump has made life super easy. Also, it sounds like you have an option for using a room somewhere in your building. You might want to look into it to see if it would work for you. I've managed to not have to spend a ton of time pumping, and so far I'm getting enough each day to send milk to daycare also freeze some each week. I would second the suggestion that you talk to ladies on the breastfeeding board on here, and check out kellymom.com. Also, workandpump.com is a great resource. GL!

Nechie122 · November 2011

I think this is one of those things that you won't be able to decide until after your LO is born. I never expected to still be breastfeeding at seven months but here I am.

Pumping is a pain -- there's no getting around that. However, you don't have to pump; you can certainly supplement with formula during the work day, which is what I started to do after around five months.

The one thing I wanted to address in your post was where you referred to "the time it takes to actually breastfeed when you're home." Let me tell you, after about three months, breastfeeding might actually be quicker than bottle feeding. My LO can down her meal in a matter of minutes, with no preparation or extra dishes on my part. Plus, after being away from her all day, I don't mind cuddling with her in those quiet moments.

Momtobug31 · November 2011

Totally agree with PP. Nursing is such a great way to relax and connect with LO at the end of a work day. Yes, in the beginning it will seem like your butt is stuck on the couch nursing all.darn.day. But you'd be stuck there bottle feeding any way. Focus on the first 6 or so weeks. Commit to it, and after that - it will be easy. Then, do the same with pumping. The first few weeks will be annoying and time consuming. After that, it'll just be routine.

VESmith25 · November 2011

It's great you are thinking about it now but honestly until you get to that point I don't think you can really know what will happen. I had planned to BF and pump after returning to work but it didn't work out that way. I had supply issues from the start and quit BFing at 2 months. To be totaly honest, while I know it is best, I was not one of the women that would do whatever it took to BF/pump. Even if I had continued to BF until returning to work I would not have pumped b/c I did not enjoy it at all.

NithyaV · November 2011

I don't enjoy pumping but I do it. I do enjoy nursing. I pump 3x/day at nurse DD once during the work day at lunch (I work 10 hour days due to flex time). I only have to pump at 10 minutes at a time and get enough for the next day's bottles. I pump once or 2x on the weekends for a freezer stash.

Is it possible - yes. Is it a commitment - yes. But I enjoy doing it. Also, PPs are right, it doesn't take any longer to pump/prepare a bottle. DD's only been in daycare 2 days so I can't say anything about sickness, but I've been working for a month and quickly found a groove with pumping/nursing.

Gluck!

DallasHorn · November 2011

It's totally possible. I BF #1 for 15 months, #2 for 17 months and will continue to BF with #3 (she's 2 weeks old). I think a big key is to educate youself about how FF and BF are different and to educate your childcare provider too. FF babies take ever increasing amounts whereas BM changes consistency to meet a baby's needs. My advice is to serve what you pump...don't worry about some arbitary # of ounces to serve. Your baby will always get more when nursing directly than when you pump.

Mrs.Handy · November 2011

I think it can be done if it is something you want to do. If you don't want to do then that's fine.

But BF my DS for the past 16 months, 13 months as a working mom, has been such a rewarding experience and being able to bond with him at the end of the day and before bed is worth every minute of pumping.

Research your BF laws in your state. I thought the BF laws applies to offices of all sizes. If you don't want to BF, don't do it. But if you want to do it, you should be able to find someway for your office to accommodate you. Talk to your HR person. It's your right and it's a good thing for your baby.

mayanut · November 2011

I'll also say it's not an all or nothing proposition. I pumped when I went back to work, but also supplemented with formula when I couldn't pump enough to cover daycare. I also know women who stopped pumping at work and just nursed before and after work.

The main benefits I noticed were in the diaper. Even partial BF made a big difference in the stinky diaper area.

Also, when I first went back to work, the pumping time was actually kinda nice. A time I could take a break and do something for my baby even if I wasn't with him.

ABizzity · November 2011

It is completely possible and I do it. I have always pumped in my car. I bought a hands free bra and pumped on my way to work, on my lunch break and on my way home. I BF at home and it is no problem at all. I am still nursing and pumping and we have started a slow transition to WCM because I am no longer able to pump enough for LO's daycare bottles but I will continue until 1yr. Its a great gift to give your LO but it is a huge commitment so take your time to think about it and come to a decision that makes the most sense for you and your family.

ns1 · November 2011

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

Consider talking to some of your co-workers. I don't even have my own space at work, door or not, let alone a room dedicated to nursing/pumping. I was really surprised by what we came up with when I talked to my manager (one of the few males where I work), a co-worker who bf her DD, and others. My manager even offered to give up his office for the times I needed to pump. So if bf'ing is important to you you may be surprised by how you can make it work. (And by law they have to let you!)

EVM1216 · November 2011

I believe that as long as the employer is obligated to follow FMLA which is 30 employees within a 50 mile radius they also have to follow the statute that requires them to give you a place to pump. Here's a link to information on that: https://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389

I've BF and pumped for 11 months now because it was worth it to me. I also had to fight and argue to get and keep my lactation room. It can be done as long as you're willing to put in the effort and hassle. I don't particularly like pumping, but I put up with it. GL!

pitterpatter129 · November 2011

I'm still breastfeeding and my baby is sooo close to a year old!

It hasn't really been an issue or inconvenience for me at all. I teach, so I pump on my plan time and grade papers and then I pump at lunch while I eat. I use our server room at school as a pumping closet. It's kind of lonely sometimes to eat lunch alone, but it works out. I'm so happy I kept with it! I will miss bfing when my baby weans! It was worth all the pumping to provide him with breastmilk in my opinion. Please don't think it is an all or nothing option either though. Plenty of women nurse while they are home with baby and provide formula while they are away. You don't have to quit breastfeeding if you don't want to pump at work. Your body will regulate itself to provide milk while you are with baby, as long as you have established a good supply at the beginning of breastfeeding. I would talk to an LC about your options if you decide that route. Breastfeeding has been so rewarding and I am very proud to have made it to a year! I encourage you to try it!

pixiexkp · November 2011

It's def doable. I bf ds until he turned 15 months. I work for a busy 911 system and still was able to pump twice a day. By law they had to allow me. I used the maternity floors at the hospitals. I stopped pumping at work when ds turned 1. As much as pumping sometime sucked, it was nice knowing that I didn't have to pay for formula. My goal was a year and no formula, which we made. I loved coming home and spending the time bfing ds. I wasn't concerned about not making enough while away, ds took 1-2 bottles while I was gone. Good luck.

shaindelr · November 2011

My LO is almost 8 months old, and I feed him whenever I'm at home and pump every four hours at work. If I'm teaching a night class (I'm an English professor), I pump once at home before I leave for night class. On Fridays, he gets to visit me for an hour, so I feed him in my office instead of pumping on Fridays.

I'm planning on stopping pumping at work once he's a year old.

I hope that helps!

LuaBear · November 2011

I say give it a try and see how it works out. Don't get upset with yourself if it doesn't. My body did not respond well to the pump and I had to stop. My daughter was formula fed after 2 months and all was fine! I was really hard on myself, though, and wish I wasn't. It's more important to have a happy mom than breast milk.

Tikat · November 2011

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

Depending on where you live you have to have access to a clean room to pump. I pump in the Accounting closet and have before pumped in a Storage room with DD1...if I had made a fuss they would have given me better accommodations but really I just need a place to sit with an electric hookup.

shouldbworkin · November 2011

I didn't with #1 and did with #2 for 13 mos. It wasn't hard at all, but I was lucky to work in a very family friendly environment with quite a few working moms who had BF/pumped at work as well. I did feel the DD was healthier than DS, if I happened to catch something first she never got it as bad. I wasn't against giving DD a bottle of formula at daycare if I didn't pump enough for her, though. Seemed to work out well for us in the end.

dianadvargas · November 2011

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

There is not a pumping room at my work neither and I work in a cubicle too. However, I pump in an empty office or a conference room. Talk to your boss before going back to work and see what he/she has to offer. If not, I would pump in the car.

I went back to work when DD was about 3m old. and she is now 6.5m and I'm still pumping and feeding her exclusively BM so far. I plan on continuing but I do take it day by day. I have to say it's hard at the beggining but it get easier. You have to be committed. My best advice is never quit in a bad day.

Also, you can try it and if it doesn't work for you you can supplement. BF is not all or nothing. Many mothers supplement while their child is at daycare and nurse mornings, nights and weekends. Usually this is succesful when your child is about 6m+ because your milk supply is well established by then.

As somebody else said in a previous post there are a lot of helpful websites regarding pumping at work. Besides Kellymon website I like this one a lot:

https://www.workandpump.com/

Good Luck!!!

kj07 · November 2011

kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

Add me to the list of pumping moms who don't have an office. We do have a conference room so that's my first pumping option if it's unscheduled. I have also pumped in other people's offices when they were out on travel or had work/meetings to do outside their office. There are definitely options to make it work.

My son is almost 1 and I've been pumping at work since I came back in March. I don't like pumping, but I love nursing. Pumping during the week helps me keep my supply going so I can nurse full-time on the weekends.

Brady77 · November 2011

It works for some, it doesn't for others. I have a lactation room, separate fridge etc so it makes it a lot easier. My job takes me out of the office so I pump when I can, I am fortunate to produce a lot of milk so I am able to keep up with my child's demands easily w/o pumping at night.

If you want to try it give it a shot, if it doesn't work you can always switch to formula. Everyone is different though.

MammaBear81 · November 2011

kj07:
kmt1986:
That's another issue. There's nowhere in my office for me to go to pump. I work in a cubicle, so I can't do that there for obvious reasons. I would have to go to the bathroom that is just toilet stalls, or hide myself in my car. We don't have a mother's room in my office.

Add me to the list of pumping moms who don't have an office. We do have a conference room so that's my first pumping option if it's unscheduled. I have also pumped in other people's offices when they were out on travel or had work/meetings to do outside their office. There are definitely options to make it work.
My son is almost 1 and I've been pumping at work since I came back in March. I don't like pumping, but I love nursing. Pumping during the week helps me keep my supply going so I can nurse full-time on the weekends.

I work in a cubicle as well, for a small office (so they don't have to have a separate pumping room). As others have said, I an empty office to pump, and I store my milk in the company fridge. I generally pump as long as I can, and have no problems supplementing with formula if my supply isn't meeting LO's demands (usually around 7-8 months). I usually pump/nurse until my supply diminishes to less than one bottle per day, then it's straight formula until 1 year old. It's not for everyone, but if it's important to you, you can make it work.

mtnrider · November 2011

Biggest piece of advice I have is give your LO one bottle of pumped milk a day (or formula) just to get them used to taking a bottle. My return to work was delayed because DS refused to take a bottle, would scream and cry for hours and starve himself holding out for the boob...we tried every bottle ever made, had a lactation consultant and babysitters try...gave up after months of trying. I couldn't go back to work or even leave him with DH or a sitter until he was eating some solid food. Oh and I agree with pp about breastfed babies not really having any more immunity to illness because I nursed DH for 13 months and he caught more colds and illnesses in his first year of life than in his second.

kmt1986 · November 2011

Thank you all for your advice! It really has been very helpful!

amdraza · November 2011

I exclusively breast feed/pump and I work full-time. It really isn't as hard as I thought it would be. It all kind of falls into place... I would just recommend investing in a good pump!

OUKap · November 2011

I haven't gone back yet, but bfing is so easy now. She eats 6-7 times a day and is pretty quick.

Pumping takes me less than 10 minutes. When I pump I find it very relaxing and calming. I used to walk at work for a break, so I will just swap walking for pumping.

Give bfing 6-7 weeks, if you can. It gets better after that.

Want a personalized experience?

Breastfeeding while being a WM

Re: Breastfeeding while being a WM

Choose Another Board

Search Boards