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

You can do it - it's hard, but the end result is so worth it. I went back to work full-time when Alex was 10 weeks old and I managed to keep her on BM exclusively for another 6 months. And that was when I was a practicing litigation attorney, in and out of court!

My point is, when there's a will, there's a way - you'll make it work and find your groove, just give yourself a lot of leeway, patience and be kind to your body. Drink lots of fluids and start your day with oatmeal, and make it known to your office that this is a priority

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

Hi Tara- I've been wondering how my due date weekend twin was doing

I am returning to work PT in July (I'll be using vacation time to work 3 days a week for July & August and will be FT in September).

I pump once a day but don't have much patience to sit for too long (for example this morning I pumped for literally under 2 minutes and got my 4-oz so I just stopped). I know I can do better but am too tired right now! DH gives Ryan a bottle probably ever other day so I can have a break and so he can get used to the bottle. If I pump when he's getting his bottle then I get 5-6oz in under 10-minutes.

As far as my stockpile, I have probably 15 bags in my freezer ranging from 3.5oz - 6oz (mostly 4 oz).

I have been toying with the idea of introducing a formula feed at night (this will a) possibly get me more then 2hours of sleep out of DS and b) save my stock since I can pump while DS gives this bottle). I don't know why but I feel guilty about it - even though I know there is no reason to.

I am really concerned about continuing to supply him with milk over the summer. I have my own office at work so I will have the privacy but I work in Manhattan and not sure how commuting with my pump and milk a few days a week will work out. I will def get one of those hands-free bras if I continue so I can stay on the phone and computer.

Not sure I'm helping you at all - but just sharing my experiences so far.

Happy Mother's Day

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

DD will be 11 months old in 5 days and she is still a BFed baby.I also work 3 days a week.

I pumped like crazy until she was 10 weeks old, so I had quite a stockpile by the time I went back to work. In fact, because of all the pumping and BFing, I didn't TOUCH the freezer stash (yet continued to add to it) until January.

In the beginning, after every feeding I would pump. Morning was the best time- I would get almost 10 ounces on the mornings that she didn't wake up before I'd leave for work. At work, I made sure I had the time to pump. At first because I was producing so much, I would pump just before leaving for work, then once at lunch, then again before heading home for the day. Talk to your employer about times and places to pump.

We are now down to about a week's worth of frozen milk, and I am still BFing in the morning and at night. We are getting ready to start her on formula.

Pumping is difficult when you are working, but it CAN be done. Be diligent about it in the beginning, and you will be blessed with a big supply. I haven't had to pump since January, and even then I wasn't pumping more than once a day by then.

GL- fm me anytime you need encouragement!

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

I went back to work last week and my DS was EBF - exclusively, but for one feeding I gave my formula. A week before I went back to work I gave him formula in case I had a hard time pumping. I hated pumping so I didn't have much in reserves. Everytime I gave him formula, I pumped. So I think I had about 7 bags of frozen BM. I pump only twice at work. The morning pumping session you will get a lot of milk. I get about 8 ounces. The afternoon session I got about 5 more. He takes about 5 ounces for each bottle. He takes 3 bottles at daycare. I told them to give him one bottle of formula and the other 2 of breastmilk in case I don't produce enough I don't want him to have to go cold turkey with formula. It seems to work. It is a PITA pumping, but I have my own office and just lock the door and am able to work while pumping. It is doable. I set a goal of 6 months to BF...we will see!! I am only at 3 months now!

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

Ladies, thank you for sharing your experiences and advice.

I am concerned, I pumped today at noon for an 1/2 hour both breasts at the same time and only got 2.5 ozs.

I am going to try and pump tonight again and have Phil give him the bottle and tomorrow morning.

It is really hard to pump in the morning when I am here alone, DS wants attention or is crying, etc...

I had oatmeal yesterday and today, granted I am really tired.

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

Don't concern yourself with how much you are getting out at a session. Rather, just focus on the fact that the more you pump, the more your supply will increase. Also, whenever DH is giving DC a bottle, make sure you pump to replace that feeding. If not, you will surely notice a decreased supply.

Drink LOTS of water or chamomile tea. I bought "Mother's Milk" tea at GNC- it has herbs that are supposed to help with milk production.

What is MOST important while BFing is that you be RELAXED. Don't worry about whether you are getting enough- if you HAD to, you could always supplement with formula.

Just the fact that you are attempting this should make you proud of yourself!



ETA: I just checked your profile and saw that your litte one is barely a month old- pumping 2.5 ounces is GREAT...... I barely got that much in the very beginning!

Message edited 5/11/2008 3:27:26 PM.

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

hi tara! it is so hard to contemplate going back to work, i know. i am dreading it. i have the reverse problem from you - pumping enough milk (4 oz in about 5 minutes), but the baby just rolls the bottle around on her tongue and doesn't eat from it.

some things that have helped me with the pumping are:
*pumping after her longest sleep or nap so that my breasts are really full, just after she feeds
*having her near me so i can see her
*relaxing as much as possible while doing it

i hope it goes better for you, try not too worry too much about the amount. it will work itself out i bet. gavin is taking the bottle and that's half the battle!

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

Posted by Porrruss

Don't concern yourself with how much you are getting out at a session. Rather, just focus on the fact that the more you pump, the more your supply will increase. Also, whenever DH is giving DC a bottle, make sure you pump to replace that feeding. If not, you will surely notice a decreased supply.

Drink LOTS of water or chamomile tea. I bought "Mother's Milk" tea at GNC- it has herbs that are supposed to help with milk production.

What is MOST important while BFing is that you be RELAXED. Don't worry about whether you are getting enough- if you HAD to, you could always supplement with formula.

Just the fact that you are attempting this should make you proud of yourself!



ETA: I just checked your profile and saw that your litte one is barely a month old- pumping 2.5 ounces is GREAT...... I barely got that much in the very beginning!

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

I'm going back to work June 2 and I plan to pump. Before I started pumping, I was so overwhelmed by the idea that I was pretty convinced I would end up giving up BFing and at a minimum be supplementing with formula. Now that I have been doing it for about a month (while not working), I am much more optimistic. My supply has increased. I have the hang of it. And, my freezer is FILLED with extra milk. Best of all, I typically only pump once a day. After I feed DD after her longest stretch of sleep, I always pump. I typically get 5-6oz then. As she is sleeping at longer stretches, I sometimes even get more. I also worried about finding time to do it when DD needed my attention, but I found that the early morning feeding worked best because she was sleepiest and would often go right back to sleep after eating and at the worst, she would be awake but content. Since I don't have supply issues, I only pump about 10 minutes. I also massage my breast at times to get more milk to come down. After doing this for a month and having such a full freezer, I want to take a break sometimes but I sort of have to continue since my breasts are so full. The only other time I pump is when I am going to be out and miss a feeding or if DH is going to give DD a bottle so I can go to bed early.

So, if you bulild up a supply, you may begin to feel comforted that you have plenty of BM. Then, once you get back to work you can sort of figure out how it is going to work for you without being so anxious about how much you will pump and when (which can make you produce less anyway).
HTH!!! Good luck and remember how much good you are doing for your DC!!!

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

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

Hi Ladies,

I feel a bit better. We went to the Dr this morning and Gavin is doing so well! She said he is doing things that a 2 month is doing!

He is 10lbs 2 oz and 21 1/4 inches!!!! He was at the Dr exactly 2 weeks ago and was 9lbs 1oz and 21 inches.

We go home at around 9:15 am, I nursed him at 9:30 am and was able to pump at 10:30 am, just one breast because he was laying on me and sleeping and I pumped 4oz in 1/2 hour. Not too bad, definitely better.

He just woke up, gotto go.