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October 2014 Moms
MagentaMouse
member
Milk supply question
MagentaMouse
member
I have a problem...this gets confusing, so my main point is in color. I was off for a year with DD and I pumped a little at the beginning to store and because of latch issues. I cut down to nursing her 1-2x a day by the end. This time, I have to go back to work after 4 weeks off. That is, when he's 4 weeks old, I have to travel the country interviewing for a big-deal job and I can't pump during the day for that - the interview days will be about 10-12 hours. The whole situation sucks but I just can't figure out a way around it. Is it conceivable that I'd be able to pump and breastfeed him for the first 3 weeks to establish my supply, allow my supply to go down for a week, and then only pump once every morning and once late at night? The thought of not actually breastfeeding him makes me want to cry, as does even planning to supplement with formula. But my entire career is at stake, and in the long run it will be better for my kids if I get this job. I'm just wondering if pumping 1-2x a day and supplementing the rest is a legitimate possibility, or whether I'd have to worry about my supply completely shutting down if I only pumped 1-2x per day at 4 weeks postpartum. I know it's early to be thinking about this, but I'm very worried. After about 6 weeks of traveling for interviews I'll be able to pump whenever I want during the day, and I need to keep my supply so that he gets at least a little breast milk and for postpartum weight loss to get rid of my GD. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Re: Milk supply question
This is not ideal but, have you considered pumping and dumping during the time you are away? That way you can pump multiple times during the day to keep up your supply.
Or you could pump, save on dry ice, and ship home.
I would try to talk to a lactation consultant. They might have other suggestions for you.
First, I would plan to start pumping right away postpartum to acclimate yourself to your pump. This will also help you create a stash to feed baby while you're away.
Plan to bring both a small manual pump and a double electric pump with you on your trip. Put the manual in your purse or briefcase, and pump for a few minutes minutes here and there in the restroom throughout the day, at least every two-3 hours. No one will question a woman who goes to the restroom every few hours for a few minutes...that's pretty normal.
Pump for 15-20 minutes before work, at your lunch break, and immediately after work. Like, pump in your car immediately. This will help.
Also, set an alarm overnight and pump every two hours for at least 15 minutes. It sounds like a lot, but what you'll be doing is making your body reverse cycle (switch night and day) such that you produce enough milk in a 24-hour period to feed your baby.
These steps will minimize the likelihood of plugged ducts and mastitis and will help you maintain a good supply for baby. Plan to do LOTS of skin-to-skin upon your return. That will help bring baby back to the breast and will also help your supply.
I will echo the recommendation to contact an LC. She can help you develop a pumping plan kind of like the outline I gave you. Remember, a little breastmilk is better than none at all - whatever you're able to feed your baby will be an enormous gift! You can absolutely get through this, though. I know it!
ETA: I do not routinely recommend pumping in a bathroom. It's absolutely beyond not ideal, but when you have no reasonable alternative, expressing the milk is your main goal, and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. So don't think this is a normal/usual rec. This is specific to your situation.
I'm curious--what field are you in?
It might not be something you're comfortable with, but if you are, I would expect that they would more than accommodate you, since you're this far in the interviewing process and since it is such a reasonable request. And like Theresa said, they shouldn't select another candidate based solely on your need to pump for baby.
If you're not comfortable discussing it with them, then I would stick to my original rec of creating a pumping plan that switches night and day while you're away, pumping as often as you can (even very briefly) during the day, and setting alarms to pump very frequently during the night.
Surround yourself with a good support system for getting you through the process (good LCs, La Leche League, etc.) and you'll be set up for a very successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience.
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Other options are freeze what you can or what is left over. I started this from day one and had a huge amount by 3 months.
#2 is look at a group like eats for Feets in your area that other mothers donate breast milk. It sounds weird but lots do it.
I actually donated like 600oz to someone when E had to go on Nutramigen for reflux that couldn't be controlled. They just came and got it. I was going to donate to a bank but I wasn't allowed bc I had a blood transfusion for anemia. (Yes the mom that came and got it knew)