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Returning to work

okayestmom12okayestmom12 member
in Breastfeeding
I know I've got plenty of time but I'm starting to think about when to start pumping if I'm going to return to work part time when baby is 7-8 months old. Should I do it sooner vs later to introduce a bottle to ensure baby will take the bottle? And as far as returning to work at that point, will I be able to get away with only pumping at lunch time (I'm a substitute teacher and this will be the only available time for me to do so)?

My first experience nursing was less than puppies and rainbows (D-Mer is no joke) so I'd like to set myself up for success however I can.

TIA!
T & J 5.9.09
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19

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Re: Returning to work

  • mommatotwo2mommatotwo2 member
    Yes, you'll definitely want to introduce baby to bottle early on (after a couple if weeks old)and daily at first, maybe every other day to keep baby in practice. Check out paced bottle feeding on Kelly mom.

    As far as pumping once a day, it really depends how long you'll be away from baby and how often. Generally you need to pump at minimum every 4 hours both to keep up your supply and to provide milk for baby to have while you're away. At 7 to 8 months, baby will likely be taking 4ish ounces every 3ish hours. That's about average for one pump. Baby will be newly on solids but milk whether that be breastmilk or formula still needs to be the primary nutrition.
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  • surpriseadditionsurpriseaddition member
    I went back to teaching when LO was 6 months. I waited until LO was about 10 weeks before pumping to build a stash for returning to work. However, I did need to pump in the first couple of weeks to supplement BM due to weight gain issues, so she was getting bottles early on. I got to work at 7:30 (so I finished BF at 7am) and couldn't pump until 11:45. The only other time I could pump was 1:00-1:30 when the kids were at recess and another teacher would watch them for me. I'd pick LO up and nurse her at 4pm. I was fine maintaining my supply this way. I did pump MOTN to make up the difference since I wasn't getting enough in those 2 close together pumps compared to what she was eating at DC. So, it can be done! LO is almost 19 months and we are still BF. GL with the rest of your pregnancy and BF down the road!


    **DD1 - 7/9/98**

    **DS - 11/9/00**

    **DD2 - 4/30/13**

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