working mom

[a_roma35]

hi,
this is my first time posting and i'd like to share some feelings, i've been having since my third baby was born three months ago. my maternity leave is almost up and i applied for and recieved two months leave of abcence, but i do not want to return to work. i would like to breastfeed my baby longer than i did with my two other kids, they stopped on their own at 3 and 4 mths respectively. this is the first time i feel like i'm doing something great for my infant and i don't want to compromise that by returning to work too soon, for at least her first year of life. is there anyone who shares these feelings or am i not thinking straight?

[xobehs]

I had a great BFing go of it with my DD and I worked FT. I went back when she was 5 months old. I pumped, the results weren't great, but we made it almost 2 years BFing.

[KalyMom]

With my DS I went back to work FT at 6 weeks and was able to BF for 15 mo and I pumped for the first 12 mo. I plan on doing the same thing with my DD. While it was not easy or fun it made it easier to work FT knowing that I was still giving my LO the absolute best that I could.

[Sputterduck]

It's okay to not to want to go back to work. Is it feasable for your family? Some families even save money by having someone stay at home.

[Mocosita]

I went back to work when ds was 12 weeks. I pumped at work and build up a stash of about 100+ oz prior to going back to work. We just made it a year last month, and I'm still planning on pumping until he's at least 18 months (just so that he can still have his mommy milk at daycare!)

My biggest tip would be to invest in a good pump and start building your stash for those cases where your supply will drop and you may need to start supplementing with some frozen milk. Good luck! And keep coming back for tips and support.

[nicurn]

I went back to work at 6 weeks post-partum with each of my kids, and breastfed/pumped for the DS2 and DD for over a year. It's normal to want to stay home, and it's very possible to continue breastfeeding after you go back to work.

[maksmom]

I was able to exclusively bf 2 kids while working. I pumped at work and was lucky that I never had to supplement with formula.(a stash is important to have). If you can stay home, I would. If you must work, can you maybe go back part-time?

[JenniferH]

Add me to the list of those who successfully breastfed even though I was back to work full time at 4 months with each of them. I was able to get by with no supplementation because they reverse cycle nursed. An understanding DC provider helped. I went on to bf both of them until they were two.

When my third was born I chose to stay home because the cost of daycare for three would have killed us financially and physically and emotionally we just couldn't both be working full time with three kids.