questions...

[Kirsa]

I’d really like to breastfeed but I have to go back to work fairly soon post delivery. I’m due in March and trying to figure out a way to make it work.

I drive ½ hour to work, am at work 8-9 hours (depending how long I take for lunch), and then drive the ½ hour home for 5 days per week. That’s a long time to be away from baby and the only person I know who breastfed said she didn’t think I could establish and keep a supply with so long away from baby.

If I pump on the way to work, pump at lunch time (4 hours later), pump on the way home (4 hours after that), and breastfeed on demand at home the rest of the time will it be possible to pump enough for baby’s needs?

I can also take 2 15-minute breaks at work but I’m not sure how much it’s possible to pump in such a short amount of time. The office has a small room with a couch off of the ladies restroom on my floor that I can use to pump so I have a place…

My first child (now age 6) I didn’t even try to nurse and they didn’t really push for it then…but now, the pediatrician’s I’ve talked to encourage it and my OB suggests it as the best thing for me and for baby. And I want to do it…but I’m not sure I can with needing to go back to work…

I guess I just need some reassurance that it is possible and maybe some suggestions?

[sferguson17]

Yes, you absolutely can. I do it every weekday. I have a 25 minute drive each way, and work 8-9 hours, and my son has only had breastmilk so far. I also have several hundred ounces in the freezer that has been extra. 15 minutes is enough time to get milk out. It's possible you wouldn't even need to pump in the car. Most women I know who pumped fed their baby right before they left the house, pumped on their first break, at lunch & on their second break. I feed DS right before I leave the house (~7 a.m.) pump at about 10:00 & 2:00, then feed him between 5:30 - 6 when I get him home. Everyone is different in how much they can pump, but the general rule of thumb is to pump about every 3 hours.

The best thing you can do right now is get a lot of information on breastfeeding. Read the posts here & especially on the General Breastfeeding Board. There's some good posts on the Newborn board too. Check out the following websites for really good information. Come back with any questions.

http://www.kellymom.com
http://www.askdrsears.com
http://www.drjacknewman.com

[bronco4grl]

YES! My schedule is similar and I've been able to make it work.

You'll probably have to pump a time or 2 at home during the early months. When I went back, my baby was 9 wks. I pumped 5 x day. Once in the early morning before he woke, after I got to work (I have my own office), at lunch, in the afternoon before returning home and after he went to bed for 20 min each pumping session.

If I were you, I would get an electric double pump such as the Medela Pump in style advanced (what I have) and figure out how to pump in the car (hands free) on the way to and from work. I now pump in the car at least once per day during the work week. I just pull my nursing bra flaps up over the bottom of the horns of my pump and cover the whole shebang up with a baby blanket. I use a car lighter adapter from radio shack. I also would pump some during the weekend between feedings to put away some milk for the work week. During the weekends, I always breastfed if possible rather than giving an expressed bottle.
Working and pumping was definitely hard in the early months but it is SO worth it.
Bronco4grl
Mom to Timothy 09/06

[Stephanie]

Absolutely!

I would try to pump for a bit during those two breaks. It is okay if it is just a quick pumping session, you are still telling your body it needs to make more milk.

Before you go back to work, you can also start building a freezer stash. After baby's longest sleep stretch, nurse baby on one side and pump the other. I would usally pump both sides after nursing baby on one because I could never manage nursing and pumping.

[debrosskyle]

You can totally do it. I agree with everything everyone has said! It's good you're thinking about it now. It really helpped me to read all the stuff on the boards and to understand how the body makes milk. I wish I knew that in the early days of my bfing. I drive 45 mins to 1 hour each way to work and work 8-10 hour days and I'm doing it. It is alot of work but SO totally worth it for me. 6 months on Monday. yeah me.

[yasmel]

I do it every day too.

I returned to work at 8 weeks pp. I pumped 3 times at work, every 2-3 hrs. Like you I get two 15 min. breaks and a 30 min. lunch. I bought 3 sets for the 3 times I would pump. I would prepare everything for the next pumping session, so I wouldn't waste time. Just plug the pump in and I was ready. 15 mins. is enough, believe it. Stress can affect your supply so just relax and let the milk flow.

Bf your baby as soon as you leave him/her in daycare and as soon as you pick him/her up.
Do not give bottles while at home or put schedules on bf.
Be careful w/ overfeeding at daycare.
Let the baby have a paci at daycare so he/she can be calmed w/ it instead of w/ a bottle.

Good luck.

[Mamacita]

Your schedule is very doable. The most important thing is that you get a good double electric pump. Don't skimp it will help keep your supply up. Good luck!

[cmstuhr]

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto-

I work 8-9 hours a day and pump three times. I feed babe right before leaving for the day (about 7:00-7:30) drop her at DCP. I then pump at about 10:00, 12:00 and 2:00 give or take. My 10:00 and 2:00 pumps are rarely over 10 minutes. In addition to following Mamacita's advice about not skimping on a pump (I highly recommend Pump in Style Advanced - the Advanced has a two phased design that simulates babe) also investing in multiple sets of horns. This cuts down on washing time during the day for those shorter sessions.

I would also work on a stash before you return to work. When I was on maternity leave, I would pump the second side whenver DD would only nurse on one. Make sure to get your pump before babe is born.

This is totally do--able. I exclusively fed BM to my DD1 for 18 months and am going strong with DD2 at 7 months.

Good Luck!!!

[momoffaith]

ITA with all the advice given. As someone else said I do it everyday. Congrats on the new babe and good luck.

[tracylee]

I agree with everyone here. I will tell you it is hard, at the first sign of frustration, fatigue, or drop in motivation there will be people who may try to convince you to stop. Do what you want. Keep your baby and this wonderful time in mind as you make your decisions. Remember it is not the breastfeeding and pumping that is to blame but the other stuff. Just put this first and be kind to yourself. Eat lots of oatmeal, feed on demand when you can, and pump while feeding to keep supply up. You can do it and it will become easier. Good for you and good delivery too!