Going back to work advise.

[Reyrey7]

Hi

I will be returning back to work in less than 5 weeks just before my son turns 11 months. I have a few concerns.
Without boring anyone too much, I only feed from 1 breast and I can't really successfully express unless my breast is very very full. (Very long story so won't go into detail)

My concerns are I am going back to work on a Thursday, Friday and every other Sunday. Thursday and Friday will be from about 9:30 am- 10pm and Sunday 7am - 7pm. I do weird hours. Anyway my son generally feeds at 7:30am, 3pm, 7pm and then one feed during the night. He used to feed at 11am too but we have given his feed up.

The last few days I have given him a formula bottle at the 3pm feed as I want to cut this one out for work so I do not get engorged at work.

My questions are: is is possible to continue to bf on the days I am home,but on my working days, I can bf in the morning feed(on a Sunday I was thinking of doing an early morning dream feed before I leave for work), then my dh can give a bottle at night, I'm assuming I maybe able to express when I get home from work on the thurs & fri and Sunday I can bf the evening. Then on my days at home I can continue bf'ing as normal ??
Or will my breast stop producing milk.

Sorry if this is a stupid and long winded post, I just don't know if my breast will be ok to breastfeed normally 4 days a week and then 3 days it will be abit all over the place.

If it is gonna be problem I still have a few weeks to swap the evening feed for formula.

Any advise would be welcome.
X

 

[noon_child]

When I went back to work at 1yr I did this. Breastfed normally 4 days, breastfed when I could the other 3. My supply was fine. You may find that at first he goes back to waking for the 11pm feed again (depending on how well he accepts you not being there), or you may want to see if he'll feed when you get home rather than pump as it will be a lot better at relieving your discomfort than pumping.

 

[Reyrey7]

When I went back to work at 1yr I did this. Breastfed normally 4 days, breastfed when I could the other 3. My supply was fine. You may find that at first he goes back to waking for the 11pm feed again (depending on how well he accepts you not being there), or you may want to see if he'll feed when you get home rather than pump as it will be a lot better at relieving your discomfort than pumping.

Thanks, I didn't think about giving him a dream feed when I got home. Good idea

X

 

[Literati_Love]

If you're just talking about keeping the two feeds (morning and before bed) when you're home, I think that would work, as long as you pump when you get home from work on work nights! It may affect your supply a little but you should still have enough. I BF 3x daily when I work, but when I'm home she'll often BF 4-5x and never seems frustrated by lack of milk. I also never get engorged at work!

 

[babe2ooo]

i work 3day a week 2 and i pump once at work. I feed before work and she has a sippy cup while i'm at work and feeds from me when i get home, it might slow down abit as your not feeding while at work and your not pumping but should still be ok.