back to work questions

[BabySophia]

Haven't been on lately. Been basking in the glow of motherhood ::smile::

Unfortunately, I have to go back to work in Sept. I'm a teacher, I have not recieved my schedule yet (new hire). But in general I will have two off periods (hopefully not back to back). Sophia will be 4mos in Sept. She is switching beautifully b/w breast and bottle.She prefers me to bottle but will take it. However, I have not been away from her for a full day. My work day will be about 7hrs.I've been building a stash (dont know how much but i got a lot of bags). And I plan on pumping at work. I really want to make this work and I want to keep breastfeeding till at least a year.

1. When I'm gone for about 4hrs she eats about 6oz. How many bottles should I leave? I figure 3 6oz?

2. During the weekends will my body know to make milk for her or would I have to give her EBM?

3. She's using slow flow nipples, should I be using medium flow? It takes her a while to take from the bottle, she doesn't seem fustrated from it.


Anything else I forgot to consider?

[StillSingingMom]

You will be fine nursing her on the weekends. It's amazing how well the system can adjust. Also, nursing her all weekend will likely keep your supply at the right point for her.

Slow flow nipples are good. If she's happy, don't mess with it. Most bottles feed babies far too fast; it takes them a while to realize they are full, which is why many bottle fed babies get used to being overfull- another reason formula fed babies are at greater risk for obesity.

It is hard to predict exactly how much she will want to eat. Some babies adjust to mom's work schedule by taking as little from a bottle as possible, and waiting for mom to get home so they can get it straight from the tap. Others maintain almost the same schedule they nursed on. Since you have a good freezer stash, you will have plenty of time to figure out how you both will deal. But three six ounce bottles is a good start.

[Candi]

I agree with pp, however I might suggest a larger number of smaller bottles. You may be surprised how little the babies need, and if you supply a 6oz bottle they will typically take it all even if they don't need it all. This will give more flexibility. I supply 3-3oz bottles when I am away for 10 hours, and the baby has only once needed more (I got home just as daddy was thawing out the bag)

[whitnessforhim]

I also agree with what was stated above and agree that overfeeding can occure when bottle feeding. Often times this makes mom feel as though their supply is suffering and they can't pump enough milk at work when in actuality it's simply because the baby is being overfed. I'm not saying that this is going to happen but just be mindful of it.

Here's a great link on how to calculate how much milk your baby will need while you are away: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

I cried a little bit the first day I left DD and went back to work..and that was leaving her with Daddy. I always used the weekends though to catch up on what we had missed out on during the week and that really helped to keep my supply up. I'm still pumping once a day for my 21mo. old.

You are gonna do fine momma! Sounds like you are all prepared already.

[BabySophia]

Thanks for the advice ladies! getting anxious having to leave her :(

[IrishKelly]

If your class schedule allows it, try to stick to her normal feeding schedule for pump sessions during the day. That will keep your body on a regular schedule. Either way, as long as you keep demanding your body to make milk there will be plenty of it for her over the weekends.

In my opinion, I feel it's unnecessary to switch from Slow to Medium to Fast. Afterall, the breast is only one flow.

[dimplesx3]

You've gotten some good advice. I'm also a teacher and due next month.
I pumped for my last 2 children when I went back to work with both of them.
My body adjusted to that schedule very well. The 1st week or so my boobs would get a little full feeling but then they kind of figured out when I was going to pump.

[colleen0419]

Great advice ladies! Yes, don't fill the bottles up too much! My DD never took more than 5 ounces at a time, even when she was close to a year. I worked 36 hours a week and pumped for my DD for 10 months! She is still nursing like a champ! So, I just wanted to offer you some encouragement! Your body WILL adjust! Good luck!

[bfmomworries]

I will share my experience with you having gone back to work as a teacher at the same time you are in regards to your daughters age..

I pumped once during work (yay for back to back planning and lunch) and then I also pumped right before I went to bed. Those 2 sessions helped me keep up with her throughout the school year.

I sent 2 5oz bags to my sitter daily, and made sure she had 2 frozen bags in storage just in case of a hungry day ya know?

I was able to nurse every weekend and on any days off with no issue. Daughter never seemed to think there wasn;'t enough, so I assume with the pump schedule I kept it maintained my supply enough.

I never went to medium flow nipples, stayed slow flow the whole time. I was so worried about her wanting the bottle over me if the milk came out too readily so I never moved her off of slow flow.

I did nurse her throughout the entire school year, and she never had to have formula.

I did wear the breast pads for a good while though, because I don't know if I could ever live down a let-down in the middle of 5th grade math, LOL.

if you have any more questions, let me know! Like I said, I was in your exact situation last year, a 4 month old when I went back to work teaching in Septemebr:)

Good luck, it will be fine!

[BabySophia]

So you only pumped once during the school day? And your supply was fine. I'm worried about my supply going down.

[BabySophia]

Again thank you, thank you ladies so much for the wonderful advice!

[bfmomworries]

Yes, I only pumped once a day, I just didn't have a time to do it anywhere else. My supply never seemed to suffer, and on weekends I was able to nurse her throughout the day like always.

I did pump an extra time right before bed just to make sure I had enough for the 2 5oz bags the next day.

Good luck. I am sure you will find a system that works great for you!