Back to work- Breastfeeding/Formula HELP!

cj1202 · July 2012

Hi all! In a few short weeks I''ll be going back to work. Currently, I EBF -- but after 1 night out recently, she spent the evening with grandma and I realized my lil girl is consuming around 30-35oz (shes currently 8 weeks).While I do pump about 3oz each time, I just don't know how I can physically store/pump enough for her to continue on only breast milk, 4 days a week..

My questions are---

1. How often were you pumping before you went back to work, each day to build up a storage? And how often do you pump now back at work?

2. Did any of you do a combo of breastmilk/formula? I figure I'll BF in the AM and evening, and during the day 8am-4:30pm she will have formula, and some fresh breast milk ( as I will be able to pump at work -- but it will most likely be enough for 1 bottle).

3. Since I know NOTHING about formulas, I was hoping for some direction on what worked well for your babe (obviously I do know all babies are different!)

Thanks in advance ladies! xo

BelleWithABlade · July 2012

I think your mom may have overfed her If you look at kellymom.com, it says breastfed babies eat about 25 oz/day the entire time they are BF. Some go up to 30 at closer to 6 months which is the peak of amount prior to adding solids from what I've read. I'd make sure whoever is watching your LO while you are back to work has a handout on feeding BF babies and give them a reference on how much she should get while you are away. My LO is huge (95% in height and 70% in weight) and takes 15 oz over the 10 hours I'm away. I can easily pump this. I think it's really common for people to overfeed while watching kids. I have very specific instructions for our nanny and it's always worked out fine

Here are some links:

https://www.kellymom.com/store/freehandouts/bottle_feeding.pdf

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

ETA: I started pumpin once a day at about week 5 after the first morning feed to build a stash. At first, I would get 2 oz if lucky, but it gradually increased so now I get 5-6 oz at that pump every day. I still do this in case I come up short one day. I usually pump 3 times when I'm at work from 8-5.

preggersin2011 · July 2012

I would post on the BFing board if you haven't already. there are plenty of kids in LO's daycare that are exclusively on BM. My supply was low from the start and i had to supplement right away. I was basically dry to begin with.

KCD053109 · July 2012

PP was on the mark; your baby sounds like she got overfed. I had to struggle with this with my LO's care provider as well. She was giving him close to 20oz in a 10 hour period. Way too much! She's cut back to usually 14oz in a 10 hr period and this is still a bit high in my opinion but definitely better than before and he is still thriving.

Also, when you begin pumping at work to replace feedings you will see your output increase so don't base the future off of what you are pumping now.

If you need additional encouragement, information, etc. please post and lurk over on the Breastfeeding board - you're sure to see answers to a lot of questions you have! Smile

jf198400 · July 2012

I agree your mom probably overfed baby. Before I went back to work I did not pump regularly. At work I pump twice a day and get exactly enough for the next day. I nurse DS around 6am, pump at 10am, 2pm, and then nurse when I get home around 6:30pm. DS takes about 3-4 oz every 2hrs. So he typically takes about 12-14oz per day. You will probably get more pumping at work, then trying to pump at home between feedings. We do occassionally supplement with formula, did with my older DD too. I've always used Similac Advanced. DD took formula with no problem. DS did not like the formula at first. So we have been slowly mixing it in with BM. Started at about 1oz of formula to 3oz of BM, slowly increased it so he would get used to the formula.

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