XP: anxiety over returning to work/breastfeeding

Re: XP: anxiety over returning to work/breastfeeding

• racampbell1

  March 2012

  I think 2.5 hours is okay, if she's not distressed in between feedings.  As to how much she'll eat while you're gone... that depends on her.  My LO did not take much from a bottle, she waited for me, which was stressful, but we ended up doing fine! 

  What I did was while on leave, pump after every feeding and I stockpiled that milk so I had a freezer stash before I went back to work.  Then, once I was at work, whatever I pumped that day would feed LO for the next day and I had the freezer stash as backup.  So on Sundays, I made an extra effort to pump and did not freeze that milk, usually I had enough for her on Monday.  Then what I pumped Monday I used for DD on Tuesdays, etc.  I'm sure everyone has their own approach, but that's what worked for me.  I pumped until DD was 10 months and nursed until she was 14 months, so it can be done   That said, don't beat yourself up too much if your supply dips - the pump is not the same as baby.  I also always nursed right before work and right after to try and get as much in her as possible (and to stimulate my supply).  GL!

  

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• MBandBud member

  March 2012

  It is great that you were able to go 2 1/2 hours!  Most day care providers are understanding that all babies are different, but it does help when they aren't constantly snacking - even Momma! 

  Really you only need right now enough for day 1 - then on day 1 you will pump for day 2.  On a Friday you pump for Monday.  Now, there is always the desire to have some extra - so that you don't need to stress about producing enough.  Plus, gosh, it is nice to have that backup for a date night or just extra. 

  As to how much - it is always a guess in the beginning but you'll start to figure it out.  I recommend 2-3oz per bottle per feeding.  I think I started with 4 bottles (this was at 8 weeks) but depends on how long LO is there.  I also tried to have a little extra - a 5th bottle to 'pull from' so that the dcp could use some of it if DD seemed hungry still or needed a 5th feeding.  I did ask that they not feed her within 30 minutes of my arrival to pick up so that I could nurse when she got home.  Although I lightened up on that as time went on - it was nice to just enjoy her and not be the milk machine all the time; usually my night pump would get the extra milk out. 

  It is tricky on when to pump; most woman produce most in the AM (from filling up at night) so just after your first morning nurse session, pump both sides as much as possible.  I recommend 20 minutes on each side just to see what you get.  Might be able to get a 2nd letdown.  Be sure it is not painful.  If baby wakes, no big deal - you can use what you pumped in a bottle.  This is good, too, b/c it gets baby used to giving a bottle. 

  I also snuck in a PM pump session after little one went to bed, just before I went to bed.  That also made it nice b/c if she did wake in the first 3 hours or so I'd have DH get up and give her the bottle. 

  The bf board is AWESOME.  I learned a ton on there, and on here, so feel free to ask questions.  Try to enjoy the time you have, pump a couple of times while on leave so you get used to it and in a groove, but my strongest advice?  ENJOY the cherished time you have.  I stressed and regret it...  It goes very fast and the rest you will figure out while it comes and we'll help ya along. 

  You are doing a great job Momma!

   

   

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• skyejo member

  March 2012

  First of all, breathe!

  I'm not sure how your LO eats, but while on mat leave I would pump on one side while DD nursed on the other.  I did this for about a month before returing to work to get my body used to the pump and to build a freezer stash.

  To keep my supply up for pumping I made sure to eat regularly, take fenugreek, and pump at the same time each day (10am, 1pm, and 4pm).

  You should be fine with your supply, especially at first. My supply only tanked once I stopped pumping and was only nursing before and after work, though I know lots of ladies that didn't have a supply dropped with just two feedings so you never know.  I started DD out with three 3.5oz bottles for 9 hours at daycare at 4months.  She gradually went up to three 5oz bottles. 

  Good luck!

  Sweet Sunshines

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• emberlee3 member

  March 2012

  I pumped after DS first morning feeding while still on ML.  That got me a few bottles stocked up, but it's hard to build a stash when you're BFing full time.  I pumped plenty of milk when I went back to work, more than I could use for the next day.  I tried to pump every 3 hours during the day.  DS nursed on demand when we were together, and it was never a problem. 
  

  As far as amounts, the kellymom website has some info.  DS drank 3 5-oz bottles every day from 8 weeks until he self-weaned (breast and bottle) at 10 months.
  

  DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
  

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• Jenny952 member

  March 2012

  I could have totally written this post a month ago.  My DD was like yours, a snacky baby who didn't like eating meals.  She's been in d/c now for 3 weeks, and she does take bigger bottles there, but when she's with me, she loves snacking. 

  Before I went back to work, I pumped after DD's first morning feeding.  I could usually get 3-5 ounces and that was the only time of day when she could go more than 2 hours with eating.  I was able to stock up about 30 oz and now I have a nice freezer stash that makes me comfortable.  I started out sending 4 oz bottles to daycare for her, which seemed to be the right amount.  She is eating 3 bottles, and it seems like everyday she's eating at a different time, sometimes going 3 hours, sometimes not quite 2.  And no matter when she last ate, she always wants to nurse when we get home.

  Some days at work I'm only able to pump 2x, even though I have 3 times booked on my calendar, things just come up.  Most days I am able to get 12 oz, which is just how much she eats.  Yesterday I only got 10 so I had to dip into my freezer stash, so I make sure to get in all 3 sessions and went for longer to make sure I could get enough.  I would recommend you put your pumping times on your calendar so people don't book over them and stick to those times.  I also make sure to drink lots of water and notice when I drink at least 8 glasses, I make more milk.

  Your DD will get the hang of eating from a bottle at DC, but don't be surprised if she doesn't want to take a bottle at home.  She also may want to comfort nurse more often when she's at home with you, at least for the first couple weeks.  Good luck!!

  

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• doodahsgurl

  March 2012

  This has been my first week back to work.  My LC recommended that I consider sending 1 oz for each hour LO will be at daycare.  In our case that is 9.5 hours.  She also suggested that so I would have less stress that I should aim for a stash to cover 2 days prior to returning.

  I started pumping about a week and a half prior to returning to work.  Some days in the morning, other days in the evenings.  I just kind of based it on how much LO seemed to eat and when I needed to empty my breasts.  I had 21 oz in the freezer when it was time to go to work.  I thawed 10 oz for the first day at daycare.  Now that I'm back I have been keeping up with his intake just from what I am pumping while at work.  I'm even able to stick a bit in the freezer each day because I've also pumped each morning and a couple of evenings.

  A suggestion that I have for you is to educate your caregiver.  I don't know about your daycare, but mine is somewhat unfamiliar with bottle feeding breastmilk babies.  So, I printed out a couple of things from the kelly's mom website, discussed them with the daycare provider and signed them with a statement to show that I want them to follow that criteria for my infant.  The guidelines that daycares typically follow are VERY WASTEFUL, I learned that the hard way with my first child and unfortunately the daycare supplemented with formula from the very beginning.

   Educate yourself, and tell your provider what you want.  Then when you are pumping just relax.  Chances are you will be very successful!  Good luck to you.

  

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• ann_jeremiah member

  March 2012

  I pretty much did this too... We had issues in the beginning with nursing where I had to pump after nursing him.. and ended up with a huge oversuppy... I have a large freezer stash now and have donated milk as well...

  I would suggest sending more than you think you'd need to daycare for a little while until you figure out what LO will eat when away from you.

   I pump milk for the tomorrow today... kind of thing. Friday's pumpings... I send on Monday.

   

  racampbell1:

  I think 2.5 hours is okay, if she's not distressed in between feedings.  As to how much she'll eat while you're gone... that depends on her.  My LO did not take much from a bottle, she waited for me, which was stressful, but we ended up doing fine! 

  What I did was while on leave, pump after every feeding and I stockpiled that milk so I had a freezer stash before I went back to work.  Then, once I was at work, whatever I pumped that day would feed LO for the next day and I had the freezer stash as backup.  So on Sundays, I made an extra effort to pump and did not freeze that milk, usually I had enough for her on Monday.  Then what I pumped Monday I used for DD on Tuesdays, etc.  I'm sure everyone has their own approach, but that's what worked for me.  I pumped until DD was 10 months and nursed until she was 14 months, so it can be done   That said, don't beat yourself up too much if your supply dips - the pump is not the same as baby.  I also always nursed right before work and right after to try and get as much in her as possible (and to stimulate my supply).  GL!

  DS1 -6/25/11

  DS2 -3/23/13

  Missed MC D&C 8/26/14

  DD - 8/26/15

  LO#4 due 5/30/17

  
  

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