Working and breastfeeding moms...how's it going?

mommatotwo2 · September 2013

Moms that are working- how is breastfeeding going? I feel like every day it's hard to make enough. I eat oatmeal and drink plenty of water and I pump 4 times a day. Once in the morning while I feed her from the other side and then 3 times during the day. 10, 1, and 4. From all of that I make 12-14 oz. At daycare she takes 12-16 oz in the 10 hours she is there. So I'm often playing catch up, sending her with the 12 oz from the day before and then up to 4 oz from that mornings 5 oz pump. So far, we're making it without supplementing, I've been back to work for 5 weeks now and I feel like every day it's a big challenge to make enough milk for her. We nurse first thing in the morning and then basically all evening until she goes to bed. I nurse on the weekends and try to fit in 1 or 2 pumps to add to my freezer stash, but that doesn't always happen. I started with a 50 oz freezer stash, I've added to it twice and taken from it 4 times. I really want to make it to a year. Any advice? Anyone else in a similar boat?

Amer0317 · September 2013

It's going okay. My husband works afternoons, so he doesn't drop DS off until 11. I feed him when he wakes around 4 and then pump the other side which is for his bottle when he wakes up. I then pump around 7:30/8. Sometimes I am still at home when he wakes again so I feed him and don't pump. Unfortunately being a teacher I can't pump until my lunch at 1. I normally get enough for 2 bottles then. I was pumping after school at 4 before going to get him. He was eating at 4:15/4:30 there. I asked them this week to not feed him then, and instead of pumping after school I am just immediately getting him and I am there no later than 4:30. I started sending a 2 oz bottle for then just in case he starts losing it before I get there....they haven't had to use it yet. I also pump before I go to bed around 10/11. He eats last at 7:30/8 and usually doesn't wake to eat until btwn 1-4. So it's working out-definitely not an ideal pumping situation but it is what it is.

mommatotwo2 · September 2013

That's actually what I just started doing too, asking them not to give her a last bottle. I send her with four 4 oz bottles still and just have them hold off if they can. She was taking her last bottle at 515-530 and I get there at 530. So far, since I asked a week ago, just one day she took that last bottle about an hour before I got there. That's a good idea to a send a 2 ouncer. I could try to pump before I go to bed, will that lower my supply in the morning?

Amer0317 · September 2013

I do not believe so. Especially bc from what I've read you produce the most in the wee hours of the morning. I just make sure I drink a glass of water before going to bed-in my mind that helps.

emmy236 · September 2013

Well I'm an EPer due to DS being tongue tied. I pump 6 times a day and usually 3 times during my work day. I used to be able to make 1-2 oz extra a day to build up my stash but he's going through another growth spurt so in just covering it. It's hard to stay on a schedule because I'm in Project Management so stuff constantly comes up and fires need to be put out. I do work from home the majority of the time so that is easier

virginiagirl11 · September 2013

OP, hang in there! Once LO starts eating solids more, there will be less of a dependence on you. You can def make it to a year! These are the hardest weeks BC LO is getting big and eating a lot but not yet on solids. It gets easier.

eroplane · September 2013

Ahhhh pumping at work right now. It's my little break x 3. Now if I can master eating with utensils while pumping, I will be set!!

Joelandmissy · September 2013

Hands-free pumps are a life saver! I'm a traveling teacher and one of my pumps are while I'm driving. Shhh.

OP, you're doing it! I was going to recommend weekend pumps to build your stash, but you're already there. Right now you're making enough so don't be discouraged. Keep doing what you're doing! With my first 2 kids, I was obsessed with my supply and was similar to yours - barely producing enough, but it was enough! This kiddo is a different story as she wasn't a fan of bottles for a long time.

Keep at it - you're doing it!!!

ETA -spelling

snowgirl427 · September 2013

My situation is like @emmy236. I'm a project manager but I do work exclusively from home. My Mom watches DS who won't take a bottle so she brings him to me in between meetings. When there is no in between I feed him while I'm on a call. Not ideal to do that but it's working out. My company is incredible supportive to working moms. I love the situation though because I get to see LO quite a bit even if it's only for a few mins at a time!

Eta bumping + nursing = typo

jedimindtrick · September 2013

@mommatotwo2, I don't think pumping at night will hurt morning supply. I do a pump every night before bed and it saves me. It's my biggest pump because LO hasn't eaten in like 4 hours.
I am pleased with how mine is going. I pump about 8 oz at work, I pump twice and almost always get 4 oz each pump. LO takes 2-3 4 or 5 oz bottles while I'm at work (away 8 hrs). And with my night pump and doing one side in the morning I'm adding to freezer stash too. Which is good because I want to make my own baby foods and use BM in them. So I'm glad I'm making some extra for when I start that. OP I think you're doing great. In would do what PP said and ask them to hold off on the last bottle so you can feed him as soon as you get him. Maybe try to stretch each one out a tiny bit so they last. I honestly was not worried if I had to end up supplementing either. I mean, one bottle of formula a day is going to be no big deal. Wouldn't cost that much at only one a day.
Keep it up. You're doing great

helenkayj · September 2013

It's NOT going well for me. I feed J before we leave for work at 6:30 and then I don't get to pump until 10:00 but he's eating at 9:15. Then I don't get to pump again until 1:30 when J is eating at 12:00-ish. He's getting another bottle at 3:00 most days but sometimes the babysitter is able to hold him off until I get there at 3:30-3:45. As it is, I send him every day with 3 4-5oz bottles and I only pump 6-8 oz a day. I'm supplementing with 2 out of the 3 bottles being half n half bottles and directing the babysitter to give the full milk bottle last, just incase he doesn't eat it all.

Lately, I've been able to keep up this way but last night, J decided he was still hungry after draining both boobs and so I had to dig into my SMALL freezer stash and he downed 4 more oz!!! AND THEN didn't STTN so I didn't get a chance to pump then either.

I can't wait for him to start solids so a little bit of the pressure is off. As it is, I feel like I'm taking time away from my students because they can't ask for help during recess times and I can't catch up with them when they need me. I also feel SUPER awkward doing anything with my boobs out at school and I'm afraid constantly that a student is going to walk in on me.

TheyCalledHerKate · September 2013

I EP but she's been able to get my milk only for over a month now so I'm proud of that. Right now I pump enough to meet her needs and I have a freezer and fridge stash. Hopefully I can make it to 6 months and then a year.

jteneback · September 2013

I add an extra late evening pump to make ends meet but it's going ok. We just went up to 5 oz bottles so I started nursing tea to help make the extra 4 oz.