Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I so wish I didn't have to go back to work, and I know I am lucky because I will be working 3 days a week and not full time.

But, I really, really want to exlusively offer BM and BF my son for at least six months, if not more. I will be returning back to work on June 10 and I plan on pumping, but I am really worried I won't be able to pump enough to get him through those 3 days.

I am really venting here, but I hate the fact that America doesn't have a real maternity leave. I want the opportunity to do the best for my son and the pressure of having to go back to work just sucks!!!!

Anyway, I know there are number of ladies on here who work full time and pump and provide enough BM for their son/daughter. I guess I am looking for encouragement and advice.

Message edited 5/10/2008 9:37:43 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF and working part-time

have you started to pump?
have you introduced a bottle yet?

I have been pumping for a few weeks, because I hope to work at some point.

When you are at work you should be able to pump when your DC would have eatten and you will use that for the next day.

I know you want to not have to work at all, but that's great that you only have to work PT.
And it's great that you plan to still BF

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I didnt BF but my best friend does. She works 5 days a week and is still EBF and her son is almost 6 months. Her company offers rooms for pumping. You can definitely do it.

Edited to add: The only problem she has is that her son doesn't like the bottle. She tested every kind of bottle and he is really fussy about it.

Message edited 5/10/2008 9:43:18 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Oh, I know how you feel!
First, for going back to work. You and I have the same "back to work - leaving the baby" date of June 10th. I'm dreading it. To make it worse, I work for a global co. and interact with the Europeon division frequently and I am receiving less time for my maternity leave in the US than my French counterparts get just for their vacation! If I worked for their division, I'd get six weeks before the baby's birth and then ten weeks after and I'd be able to add the six weeks of vacation they get...(which IMHO still wouldn't be enough, though!) Instead, I took six weeks paid, and then another six weeks unpaid as FMLA.

I'm also worried about having enough milk for DS when we're away from each other. I know there are a lot of ladies on here who do it and they're very successful. I've heard of a lot of women who pump too much and have an overstock in their freezers (I'm not there yet, I only have an extra three days' worth in the freezer right now).

You're doing a great thing for your DC and any bit of BM you can give is better than formula... BUT that if you have to switch to formula you have already given DC such a wonderful gift...
Best of luck!

I

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Hi Jen,

Yes, I started pumping about 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Gavin gets a bottle at least once a day, either by Phil or my mom.

But what scared me was, yesterday, I nursed at 2 pm, my mom came over so I could get out and go to the store and I told her just in case there are 2 3oz bottles of BM in the frig. I didn't think he would need them, because I would be home at 5 pm to feed him.

My mom had to give him both bottles at 4:30, he drank 5 oz. I got home a little after 5 pm.

This morning, I pumped for an hour and pumped almost 5 oz, so will I need to pump at work 3 hours to get him 3 bottles during the days I work?

Message edited 5/10/2008 9:48:45 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Did you pump after a feeding, cause then it could have been less cause it was not time for a feeding. I get my most milk when DH feeds a bottle and I pump at the same time.

I am no expert...cause I am not working yet, but I try to read what I can....

you should get more efficient with pumping.

make sure you are relaxed and comfortable when feeding. If you can't see your DC, get a photo to help with the let down.

ETA: I never know how much to give with the bottle. Sometimes she takes 5oz, sometimes only 2.5. I don't want to waste the milk so we start small and add. But worry what to do when I need to premake bottles for someone else to give.

Message edited 5/10/2008 9:52:25 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Message edited 5/10/2008 9:58:27 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Jen, have you been freezing your BM too?

I am going to try pumping when Phil gives him a bottle tomorrow. I have 2 3oz bottles.

I just so your edit, so you pump for 15 minutes but both sides at the same time?

I haven't tried pumping both sides at the same time, it seems kinda hard. It seems hard to handle everything. Any tips?

Message edited 5/10/2008 10:03:07 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I worked as an medical intern and did up to 30 hours workdays and still managed to exclusively BF my little guy and no formula after his first week of life. If I can do it, almost anyone can!

In fact, he's 16 months and still BF although I stopped pumping at 1 year...

Good luck it's a PITA but it's worth it...


As for advice, the thing that saved me was pumping on side, feeding one side for a few weeks before going back. I had a TON of frozen milk (I think 70 feedings worth). I even threw some out last week because it expired...

Message edited 5/10/2008 10:12:53 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Posted by bdmom

Oh, I know how you feel!
First, for going back to work. You and I have the same "back to work - leaving the baby" date of June 10th. I'm dreading it. To make it worse, I work for a global co. and interact with the Europeon division frequently and I am receiving less time for my maternity leave in the US than my French counterparts get just for their vacation! If I worked for their division, I'd get six weeks before the baby's birth and then ten weeks after and I'd be able to add the six weeks of vacation they get...(which IMHO still wouldn't be enough, though!) Instead, I took six weeks paid, and then another six weeks unpaid as FMLA.

I'm also worried about having enough milk for DS when we're away from each other. I know there are a lot of ladies on here who do it and they're very successful. I've heard of a lot of women who pump too much and have an overstock in their freezers (I'm not there yet, I only have an extra three days' worth in the freezer right now).

You're doing a great thing for your DC and any bit of BM you can give is better than formula... BUT that if you have to switch to formula you have already given DC such a wonderful gift...
Best of luck!

I

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

for going back soon.. as a ebf mommy, i know how you feel. i am a teacher and i pump between 4- 5 times a day so i have enough for my son each day and a little extra for his cereal now. i've been back since january and i won't lie, it was rough in the beginning...but it became easier as time passed.

definitely try to build up a freezer stash - my stash has been my saving grace on the days when i couldn't pump much or got less than expected.

def. use kellymom as a resource and good luck. i'm sure you'll do well!!!!

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Posted by waytogo

I worked as an medical intern and did up to 30 hours workdays and still managed to exclusively BF my little guy and no formula after his first week of life. If I can do it, almost anyone can!

In fact, he's 16 months and still BF although I stopped pumping at 1 year...

Good luck it's a PITA but it's worth it...

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I know how you feel. I went back to work after my 8 week maternity leave was up and it stinks. On a good note, pumping while at work isn't as terrible as I thought it would be. I started "stockpiling" and freezing breastmilk for the last month and I have tons. And everyday that I pump I get around 8 ounces, if not more. I try to do it every 3 hours. SOmetimes I am bad about it and wait 4-5 hours - but it's OK because I get more milk.

It's not the best situation - going back to work - but feel better knowing that you can still provide breastmilk to your baby.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Posted by ziamaria

for going back soon.. as a ebf mommy, i know how you feel. i am a teacher and i pump between 4- 5 times a day so i have enough for my son each day and a little extra for his cereal now. i've been back since january and i won't lie, it was rough in the beginning...but it became easier as time passed.

definitely try to build up a freezer stash - my stash has been my saving grace on the days when i couldn't pump much or got less than expected.

def. use kellymom as a resource and good luck. i'm sure you'll do well!!!!

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Yes, the week before we started to give a bottle I was freezing what I got. Now if I get time to pump I usually freeze it. I keep enough for around 3 bottles in the fridge (we only give 1 bottle a day though). I have 4 medela 5oz bottles that came with the pump (she does not take from them, so only use for storage and pumping into). I also have 2 5oz born free bottles. I use the medela storage bags for freezing.

I always pump when DD gives a bottle.

pumping both sides is not hard at all. I set everything up, put one side on, then the other. Taking them off is the toughest part because there always seems to be a little milk between me & the pump part, so I keep a napkin handy to wipe.

Message edited 5/10/2008 10:17:48 PM.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

in the beginning I was only storing about 3oz and those were times I pumped after she ate. But now 5oz if I can, that's usually when DD gives the bottle and I freeze when I have enough in the fridge. We are giving a bottle almost every night now. Next weekend I will be out for a few hours, so I want to make sure my DH has enough to give.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I had the same concerns you do. I started pumping and freezing when DD was 4 weeks old.

I've now been back at work 3 days a week since March. What I do to get enough is pump first thing in the morning before DD wakes up if at all possible. That way I get 10-12 oz total (5-6 per side). When she wakes up she eats and because a baby's suction is FAR superior to a pump she gets what she needs.

I have my own office so pumping at work is not an issue for me. I usually get 9 oz at work.

DD eats @ 20 oz during the day when I'm not with her. I only used the frozen BM the first week back to work.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

You can do it...when I went back to work when DD was 7 weeks it was tough & I was still pumping 4x a day; I got walked in on a few times & it was a hassle lugging the pump back/forth, cleaning the pieces, etc., but now DD is 10 months & I'm still going strong b/c now I'm determined to last out the year until she starts milk. My goal in the beginning was 6 months & it was hard at first, but then you will yourself to keep on going b/c you know its the best thing for your DC. You can do it!

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Posted by peabody

Posted by waytogo

I worked as an medical intern and did up to 30 hours workdays and still managed to exclusively BF my little guy and no formula after his first week of life. If I can do it, almost anyone can!

In fact, he's 16 months and still BF although I stopped pumping at 1 year...

Good luck it's a PITA but it's worth it...

THANK YOU for posting this! I feel so much better knowing other woman are doing it.

If you don't mind, can I FM you with questions in the future?

Was there a time when you weren't producing enough? How long was each pumping session? Did you pump both breasts at the same time? Any tips?

I have my own office, so I am really lucky, I will have privacy.

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

I worked 3 days a week and pumped for my son for over a year. He never had a drop of formula. I started pumping once a day before I went back to work, so I had a stash, but I never really had to dig into that stash.

Drink lots of water, eat oatmeal and take fenugreek if your supply starts to dwindle. You can do it!

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

Posted by peabody

Posted by ziamaria

for going back soon.. as a ebf mommy, i know how you feel. i am a teacher and i pump between 4- 5 times a day so i have enough for my son each day and a little extra for his cereal now. i've been back since january and i won't lie, it was rough in the beginning...but it became easier as time passed.

definitely try to build up a freezer stash - my stash has been my saving grace on the days when i couldn't pump much or got less than expected.

def. use kellymom as a resource and good luck. i'm sure you'll do well!!!!

I have some frozen, how much should I have frozen before returning back to work?

Re: Really concerned about BF, Pumping and working part-time

First of all, congrats on the baby!! What an exciting time for you and your family!

My advice is this...why not introduce a bottle of formula or two a day to take some of the pressure off of you. Keep with your pumping/nursing schedule and your mother/husband can give the baby a bottle of forumla. There is nothing wrong with mixed feeding so long as you keep your supply up with the pumping and bf'ing. There is nothing wrong with formula, many many many many babies had nothing but formula and they all turned out fine, smart, bonded with their parents, etc etc. If you are worried about it, this is a perfect solution.

As a BTDT who pumped exlusively for 8 months, my honest opinion is that if I had to do it again, I wouldn't torture myself and I would start mixed feeding asap.

Good Luck!!!