Breastfeeding only at night

mallyandryan · June 2014

I was planning on stopping breastfeeding by the time I go back to work in August. I have already been supplementing over the last few weeks half bm half f. I do not have a job where I can pump. Yes, I know by law they have to let you. However I teach in a rough school in a high stakes testing grade and since our wonderful govt has decided to look at test scores when deciding our salary, I need every minute I can get w my students.
I did not realize that you could only have one or a couple of feeding sessions a day and still produce. Has anyone had luck with this? Sorry my explanation was so long.

RedDawnsRevenge · June 2014

I don't see why it wouldn't work. You were planning to stop and just FF, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying. Look up reverse cycling.

KatieGummow · June 2014

Sometimes I don't get to pump for 5 hours (twins) and my supply isn't affected, you could do right before school, at lunch, and right after!

joyfullyfound · June 2014

Oh yeah, that would work! My DD only breastfed once/day for over 6 months before she weaned herself and my supply just adjusted to the lessened demand.

Jessimax · June 2014

Your supply will adjust, even if you are only BFing 2 or 3 times a day. I would wean down gradually to this over the next few weeks. Some breast milk is better than none. As baby gets older I know lots of parents who only BF at bedtime, sometimes for up to a year after stopping regular BFing session.

Jenn06L80 · June 2014

I too am returning to work in August. I have twins so I have been supplementing since the beginning. My plan is to breastfeed them once or twice when I get home from work until they reach 6 months. Your supply will adjust.

*sparky* · June 2014

I did this with my DS for a few months - only BFd at night and first thing in the AM.

ccollins06 · June 2014

As a teacher at a rough low-income school, I know where you are coming from and also feel sad for you. It sounds like you've made up your mind about not pumping at work, but I would urge you to reconsider if it's important to you--it can be done!

I pumped in the car on the way to school and home, so I only had to pump once during the school day during lunch. I feel like I am a better teacher when I take the time to take care of myself and my family. Everyone needs balance and teaching, especially in a low income setting, is so draining!

I'm sorry I didn't answer your question, I just want to urge you to put your family first-whether that us BF or FF, just make sure it is YOUR choice and not just because you feel you have no other option.

Lastly, enjoy your well-deserved summer break!!

B-)

haziedaze · June 2014

Most people need about 3 pumps for a 10 hour period of being away. They don't need to be evenly spaced. Moving milk as much as you can is key. Maybe pump with a handfree bra on the way there and way back? You could pump quickly with a handpump (faster to set up) at lunch for 2-3 mins per side. You may not get much but any milk movement helps. Maybe add another pump at night as others have suggested.

As far as only nursing when together it's definitely doable, this happened to us for months before weaning, but DS was older (17-21 months).

Another way to think about the time away is that it's likely a trade off of time away from your students a few times a day vs. more sick days when baby gets sick. My DS1 even as a preemie didn't need to "stay home" until we nightweaned at 16 months- yay antibodies!

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Breastfeeding only at night

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