breatfeeding and work?

I am heading back to work in 2 weeks. DD is almost 3 months old and had been exclusively breastfed for the most part.
Is it possible for me to just breastfeed DD in the morning and/or night after I go back to work only while she is bottle fed during the day?
I am no longer going to be able to pump because there is no where for me to pump at work.
TIA

breatfeeding and work?

Yes! Your body will adjust to whatever you do, so you can nurse in the morning and at bedtime and even all day on the weekends and use formula the rest of the time. Though, you may want to bring a pump to work at first in case you get engorged.

By law, most workplaces are required to provide a space (and time) for nursing mothers to pump, so if you want to pump, look into it and talk to your company!

Re: breatfeeding and work?

isn't your employer required by law to provide a quite clean place to pump?


You may want to call a lactation consultant (great ones at St. Charles and St Catherines) to see what happens if you stop pumping and nursing during the day. I believe your supply may go down - i think mine did with DS. but his latch was terrible.

But...
my DC #2 is 4 mo and refuses the bottle and goes with about 1/2 - 1 oz of milk during the day (she is driving us crazy) about 6-7 hrs. I feed her before I leave work and after I get home and twice during the night. I don't always have time to pump at work. She is growing well with this schedule. I feed her on demand on the weekends. Its working for us and I plan to get to 12 months.

Good Luck!

Message edited 8/29/2012 11:25:42 PM.

breatfeeding and work?

yes they are required, however not everyone feels like bringing the topic up to management........

With my son I remember the engorged problem... if your planning to slow it up, maybe try transitioning into the longer wait between pumping.

Re: breatfeeding and work?

It's definitely possible but your supply may go down a bit. I actually do that I pump in the morning and my husband gives the baby formula while I'm at work and when I come home i breastfeed. I have noticed that my supply has gone down but it's definitely possible

Re: breatfeeding and work?

This is what I have been doing, but my supply has gone down alot. Sometimes I BF and have to give formula right after because it's not enough for him. I really should just stop, but I just can't. I try to pump either before work or when I get home. I work overnights, so by the time I get home, he has eaten already.
I would also suggest buying a manual pump. Even if there is no where to pump, you could at least go out to your car or into bathroom if you really need too.

Re: breatfeeding and work?

Message edited 8/30/2012 7:53:00 AM.

breatfeeding and work?

If you're in NY your employer is required by law to provide a clean place (not a bathroom) to pump. I give working moms who pump a lot of credit since I'm sure it's a lot of work. If you want to do it, read up on the law and talk to your employer. If not, bf while you're home. GL!

Re: breatfeeding and work?

I had heard that my body would adjust, but after I stopped pumping during work my supply went way down. I was BFing in the morning and at night, then just in the morning, then he was clearly not getting near enough so I stopped altogether. It was less than a month after I stopped pumping at work, my son was just under 4 months old. I didn't even get engorged, it all just went away. I had thought I'd be fine with it when the time came to stop BFing, but I was a little upset because I hadn't expected it to happen that way. So be prepared for the possibility that you could just sort of run out eventually.