BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

Did you just stop BFing once you returned to work or did you pump each day for the next day?

I'm returning to work in a month when DD is 6 months old. She has been EBF (for the most part, maybe had FM 5 times). I have no freezer stash b/c I produce just enough to feed her each day. I think I want to start weaning her anyway but of course then the guilt settles in. I truly don't want to pump a lot at work. Any ideas?

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I had a very small freezer stash when I went back to work FT when DD was 11 weeks old. I pumped 3x/day at work and produced exactly enough for her for the next day feedings. She was STTN so after her last feeding of the night I would stay up an extra 2-3 hours and pump before I went to bed and that went right into the freezer.

Can you try to build a little stash this next month? The best time for me was what I said above... about 2-3 hours after DD's last feeding of the night I would pump and get about 5 oz to save in the freezer.



ETA: I still BFed in the morning before work, when I got home around 5:30 and before DD went to bed. So I would pump 3x at work and BF 3x at home then pump 1 more time before I went to bed.

Message edited 11/3/2010 11:44:57 AM.

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I went back to work when my ds was 5 months- i got my job on a teusday and stared the next monday - i had no freezer stash when i got the job - for the next five days i pumped everydaty at 9am when he napped - he nursed at 7 and 11am - i showered then pumped - i managed to get enough for the first day by sunday - then i pumped each day for the next - i would pump in the morning on one side before nursing him - thentwice a day at work until 8 months - then once a day at work till 10 months- then morning and night till 12 months

some things to make it easier - use formula/yougart for cereal at daycare

and do what is best for you - going mornign and night was very easy - and that was enjoyable- pumping is annoying washing everything

good luck - but it can be done

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

Posted by ko123

I think I want to start weaning her anyway but of course then the guilt settles in. I truly don't want to pump a lot at work. Any ideas?

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I am starting to stress about this big time! DS is 8 weeks old so I'll be going back to work in a few weeks. I plan on pumping, but whenever I do I never get more than 2 oz per side. It's impossible to build up any kind of stash because DS eats about 4 oz per feeding (when I give it in a bottle). I think I'll have to start supplementing once I go back. As long as I can nurse him in the morning and at night I guess I can be okay with that. My plan all along was to EBF for as long as possible but my supply just isn't enough. I am so jealous of the girls on here who get like 10 oz per pumping session... or more! So lucky!

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I had basically nothing and still do.

I have pumped every day for a year.

pumping is actually not that bad for me. easier at work than it is at home. but the nature of my job and office make it that way. only you know how much stress it will cause or relieve.

whatever you decide, you have nothing to feel guilty about.

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I have a freezer stash but I still went out and bought some RTF formula just in case my mom or DH runs out of the freshly pumped milk. It was a big fear of mine for some reason and having the formula available makes me feel better.


I pump after DD goes to sleep at 9PM and I will pump before work at 5AM - that SHOULD be enough for DD to drink during the day until I get home around 3/3:30 (I am guessing 16oz)

Good Luck!

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

Even though I had a freezer stash when I returned to work last week, I was still worried that I would not produce enough.... I was wrong! I ended up with extra milk at the end of each day and was able to freeze almost 40 ounces of left over milk at the end of my first week at work. So far, this week, I have an excess of 15 ounces of milk.

After I BF DD in the morning, I pump for 15 minutes around 7 am. I then pump twice at work (10:30 and 1:30). I BF as soon as I get home and then I pump while eating dinner and/or before I go to bed. Though I only get 3-4 ounces per pumping session, it adds up and becomes more than enough for DD to have during the day.

Good luck!

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

Thanks everyone! I already pump once after she goes to bed, but I give her a pumped bottle at bedtime so I'm just pumping for the next bedtime. Maybe I will add one more pumping session in before I go to bed and start freezing.

Thanks!

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I recommend pumping first thing in the morning before she eats. That's the session that always helped my stash. With my 1st son, I would get about 16oz from that session and feed him a half hour later.

Good luck, and don't feel guilty if you have to supplement.

I will say, I only had about 150oz to start with Ryan and after a couple of months at work built it up to 600oz or so. You may be surprised by what you produce if you stick to a schedule.

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I had a tiny freezer stash so basically I have been pumping three times a day at work to use up the next day....its tough but doable if you are thinking about it.

Re: BFing mom's that don't have a freezer stash...and returned to work...

I returned back to work when DS1 was 4 months. I had very little frozen. I pumped when I could at work but found it to be very painful and would often not have enough time in the day to find to pump enough. I ended up stopping pumping after a few weeks and supplemented with formula when I was away from him. i would continue to dream feed in the morning, nurse as soon as I came home (I would have the nanny time out his last bottle) and nurse one more time before he went to sleep. On the weekends, I would nurse a few additional times so I didn't have to give him any bottles. I continues this until I fully weaned him at 9 months.