Pump weaning at work?

[dewoman81]

I am going to be working full time 5 - at least 8 hour days a week. With my new job coordinating GIEP meetings, my schedule will be all over the place. I only pump once a day as it is and have no supply issues - I pump enough for dd daily. Would it be possible to stop pumping at work completely and add a pumping session before work or after work to replace the one I will be missing? I am freaking out about this because my first meeting was slotted for 1 hour and took 1.5 hours. If this happens on a meeting day, then I wont get a break. I always need a back up plan.

I have gone a day or two without pumping for 8 hours, but I was so full by the end of the day. I also have a HUGE freezer stash if my supply dips a bit for now so I am not too worried. Any ideas? Can you not pump at work and still bf?

[oomaumau04]

I have heard you can not pump or bf during the day and still just nurse at night...however, I'm not that educated or experienced. ;) So I just thought I'd bump you up until someone better comes along!

[majubee]

yes it is possible and your supply will adjust over time

[RedheadbyChoice]

Yes, it's possible, but I personally wouldn't pump wean this early.

[majubee]

I guess I could add in my experience with pump weaning. my son was around 6 or 7 months old when I stopped pumping at work. I was not having a good time with the pumping. I would bleed almost every time I pumped. I was not getting help from anywhere and the doctors I spoke to about it told me to just stop pumping so I finally did. I still nursed at night and first thing in the morning. My milk supply dropped so much that he was getting frustrated with nursing and would hit me while nursing and then give up crying. Poor baby just wanted his milk. he grew to like the flow of the bottle better and refused to nurse with in a couple of months. I was devastated. I searched online and I asked a bunch of people for advice but my baby no longer wanted to nurse so I threw in the towel since I had no support. I had every intention of nursing until he was at least 2 1/2. I didn't know about this website back then or else I would be on here asking all of my questions.

[sweetkisses]

I personally would try to pump at least once a day. If you have to pump before work your body will adjust.

I would also make sure that your baby does not get a bottle right before you pick her up so you can feed her right away. I think it would be a good idea to have a no bottle on weekend rule to help keep your supply up.

And to answer your question it is possible to not pump at work and continue nursing in the am and at night but you would eventually have to supplement with formula while dd is at dc when your freezer stash is out. Once you stop pumping it is hard to start back up again.

[madelsmama]

I think pump weaning is a bad idea with such a young baby at home. It's possible that your supply will drop significantly. I'm with Melissa, I'd try to pump at least once, somewhere in your day.

Can you not pump during your lunch break?

[hotlama]

I don't pump at work during my 6 hour shift and I do fine. I pump four times a day when at home. Before work, after work, once dd is asleep and again in the morning about 45 minutes after she has had "breakfast". However, I have to take fenugreek to keep my supply up and have not been able to keep a freezer stash.

[Stephanie]

I agree with sweetkisses and madelsmama. If your supply were to drop, it is a pain in the rear to have to build it back up.

[dewoman81]

It is only for about 6 weeks and I do not have a "lunch". I am scheduling meetings and however long the meeting takes is how long I have left for breaks. I am worried about leaking during a meeting or something.

[sweetkisses]

It is only for about 6 weeks and I do not have a "lunch". I am scheduling meetings and however long the meeting takes is how long I have left for breaks. I am worried about leaking during a meeting or something.

I would pump in the am before your meetings start. Then on days where your meeting ended on time pump at least once during the day. At least then you won't be skipping pumping all together everyday. Does that make sense?

As for the leaking just get you some really good pads.

[madelsmama]

Get some Lily Padz. I have never leaked with them on!