Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

I am not planning on pumping at work -- too busy, barely have time to use the bathroom let alone pump 2-3 times a day

How did/do you plan on eliminating feedings during the work day time. When do I have to start doing this? I go back to work on 11/10 .

Thanks!!!1

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Will you continue to nurse and supplement with formula when you're at work?

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Yes, I am hoping to BF her in the AM before work and then at 4pm on. So hopefully 3 feedings. Will my BM dry up?

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

bump, anyone?

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

I am a SAHM but I exclusively pumped for 6 months. Toward the end I started to add in some formula to ease the transition, and so I'd also skip a pumping session or two. I have to say, my supply totally went to crap once I started going awhile without pumping.

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

My goal when returning to work was to pump to miss all of DD's feedings. I don't know what I was thinking. Like you, I'm lucky if I make it to the bathroom. So, I pump ONCE while at work, and DD nurses 4 times (twice in the morning, twice after I get home) on the days that I work (3x per week). The only supply issues I have revolve around AF.

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

I did this. Kellymom called it "partial nursing" and there's some great info there.

I basically cut out the 2 feedings that DD would have while I was at work about 2 weeks before I returned. I cut back on 1 at a time, which took about 3 or 4 days each. I think I pumped once just to relieve some discomfort, but overall it was easy enough to cut them out.

Once I went back to work, I BFed DD in the early morning, and then when I returned from work and then before bed. DD got formula while I was at work.

Unfortunately, we had some MAJOR MAJOR bottle issues (like SO bad, I can't even believe I lived through that time , having my baby fed by a medicine dropper for a month and half ) ... so I only did this for about 2 months.

Good luck!!

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Posted by karanthony

Posted by DancinBarefoot

My goal when returning to work was to pump to miss all of DD's feedings. I don't know what I was thinking. Like you, I'm lucky if I make it to the bathroom. So, I pump ONCE while at work, and DD nurses 4 times (twice in the morning, twice after I get home) on the days that I work (3x per week). The only supply issues I have revolve around AF.

When did you start weaning her before returning to work? I guess I need to start giving up a feeding during the day each week and giving her a bottle myself, to get her ready and my body used to not producing during that time. I am going to feel so weird giving her a bottle while still BF at other times.

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

I would definately keep track of how often you nurse NOW during the time you will be away. Get that pattern down for a few weeks. Then, by the beginning of October maybe start pumping during that time. (Most of the time the pump gets less milk out than the baby.) Then with a few weeks left before returning to work, try to cut out all nursing and pumping during that time.

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

I go back next week.

About 4 weeks ago I started adding bottles 1-2 a day of BM only. I realized I wasn't pumping enough to supply DS with BM only in bottles during the day. I started supplementing w/ formula.

So basically he would get 1-2 bottles during the day, I would nurse AM & PM and when he still woke at night, plus 1-2 times a day.

NOW......he takes 3-4 bottles during the day. I nurse AM & PM.......I plan on nursing him when I get home from work too I guess so that will be 3 times.

I am going to pump 1 time a day at work & AM & PM also. It will be hard to do it as my job isn't an office job, I am out a lot, but I am going to try to make this work!!

His bottles are 1/2 BM & 1/2 formula. and I hope to keep up with that.


But start soon.....even 1 bottle a day for a 2 weeks, then add 1 more a day for the next few weeks & so on.

Re: Mothers who EBF and plan to go back to work

Posted by InShock

I did this. Kellymom called it "partial nursing" and there's some great info there.

I basically cut out the 2 feedings that DD would have while I was at work about 2 weeks before I returned. I cut back on 1 at a time, which took about 3 or 4 days each. I think I pumped once just to relieve some discomfort, but overall it was easy enough to cut them out.

Once I went back to work, I BFed DD in the early morning, and then when I returned from work and then before bed. DD got formula while I was at work.

Unfortunately, we had some MAJOR MAJOR bottle issues (like SO bad, I can't even believe I lived through that time , having my baby fed by a medicine dropper for a month and half ) ... so I only did this for about 2 months.

Good luck!!