working/pumping mamas and AF

[seaweed eater]

My second PP period is due in a couple days and my supply took a nosedive, so I assume the two are connected...

How concerned should I be about maintaining my supply? Even with extra pumping sessions I will be unable to keep up with LO's usual intake. Should I keep giving him the usual amount and assume my supply will just bounce back?

Or do I need to give him less at daycare so that he breastfeeds more or reverse cycles or whatever he needs to do?

TIA

 

[MommyJogger]

I've only had one so far, but my supply tanked for a few days only. I FOD and pumped another "cycle" extra on the pump (if that made sense; pressing the button to get it to do short pumps and go until it does the "letdown" pumps again) and it bounced back after the few days. Not sure if it's the same for everyone.

 

[seaweed eater]

Thanks MommyJogger! I'm trying power pumping (10 min on, 10 min off, 10 min on) and all the tricks but it's still not quite enough...I think my first period was the same as you described, where my supply just came back on its own, so fingers crossed that happens again!

 

[CatherineK]

When I got my cycle back with my first my supply nosedived for a few days. I just added a night pump and a couple pump sessions on the weekend when baby was between nursing sessions to help simulate. Day-to-day I might have been short, but I caught up and made up for shortages over the whole week. I also keep domperidone around for supply drop 'emergencies'. It works for me quickly, but I only used it as a last resort. Good luck!

 

[CatherineK]

Other tricks- have daycare stretch out his feeding times so he drinks a bit less or is very hugely when you get there, pump in the car on the way to/from work (with a cover, it's doable!), drink way more and eat oatmeal every day.

 

[seaweed eater]

Thanks Catherine! I try to stay a bit ahead when I can so hopefully over the course of the whole week things will even out. I'm glad to hear it didn't cause problems for you.

 

[CatherineK]

It wasn't always easy, but I breastfed my boys 25 months and 18 months, while working full time from the time they were two months old. And I am not a great pumper. Actually, I only pumped at work for 13 months with my first (then he just had water or cows milk when I worked) and only pumped till 10.5 months with my second, as he refused to drink a bottle all day, just wanted water until I got home. And my supply was fine when he nursed only evenings, nights, and weekends. Never needed formula, my freezer carried me through low weeks, and my supply always seemed just enough! Not really looking forward to pumping for a year again for this one, but it's worth it!

 

[seaweed eater]

That's really encouraging, Catherine! I'm an average pumper but LO is an above-average milk drinker so it hasn't been easy to stay ahead of him. I love hearing that you were able to continue BF outside of work for that long.

 

[monte3375]

how much is needed in freezer stash before going back to work? I go back 9/15, but I dont pump extra, so worried.

 

[seaweed eater]

Monte, I have never had to use mine in the 6 months I've been back at work.

 

[MommyJogger]

how much is needed in freezer stash before going back to work? I go back 9/15, but I dont pump extra, so worried.

You really only need as much milk as lo will take on your first day back. After that, you can just send what you pumped the day before.

 

[CatherineK]

Yes, you only need enough for the first day back, and then you pump one day and feed the next. After a while, you can build up a bit extra from good pumping days that will cover you if you have a low day. So you don't need a lot!
Another important part of pumping is making sure the person feeding your lo the pumped milk follows breastmilk guidelines (slow flow, small bottles, breastfeeding position, take short breaks, and never try to 'top up' a full baby that has dropped off the bottle. That will help you LO not overeat while you are away! A general rule of thump is a breastfed baby should eat 1-1.5 ounces for every hour you are away. So if you are away 9 hours, plan 9-13 ounces on an average day. If your baby is taking much more, the feeding methods might need to be adjusted.