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need some advice

Charlotte - posted on 11/19/2008 ( 1 mom has responded )

15

14

I am scheduled to have a c-section on Dec. 3rd, and am definitely planning on nursing. I have a 12 year old son who nursed as well. My questions are based on some differences between when my son was a baby and my situation now...When I had my son, I was not working outside the home. I sold Mary Kay and would have weekly meetings and would leave to do parties, so I had a pump and would do my best to store milk. It would take a lot of pumping to get enough milk stored for 1-2 bottles a week. My situation now is that I am teaching full-time. I'll be home for 8 weeks after the baby is born, then I am back to work. I am very worried that I will not be able to pump enough to have the baby on breast-milk exclusively. I don't have anything against supplementing if I need to, I would just rather do breast-milk only if possible. Anyway, I have been reading several things and talking to friends who nursed, but I would like to build up as much knowledge as possible! I need to find out the best way to work full-time and still breastfeed.

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Lisah - posted on 11/20/2008

13

14

One main difference this time around is that you will be able to pump at work. I'm assuming that when you went to meetings before you weren't gone long enough to pump while you were gone, which meant you had to build up a store without adding to it when your baby took from the store. This time, you will be gone all day and you will be pumping a couple times while at work. That will help maintain your freezer stash. I pump at work and most days I am able to pump as much as my son will consume that day while I'm gone- which means I needed a minimal stash when I went to work as I am constantly restocking it with fresh stuff. The stuff I pump Monday, he'll drink on Tuesday, and so on.



If you aren't getting much milk out when you are pumping, could you try using a better pump? Pumps vary widely in quality and a better pump might yield better results. Also try breast compressions while pumping to maximize output (and reduce the time it takes to pump).



As a last resort, you could try taking Fenugreek supplements to increase your supply.



To build up your store, start pumping as soon as possible after your baby is born. Try pumping before, or while, your baby is feeding. Since your baby will extract milk better than a pump, if you pump first and then feed your baby, there should be enough milk left for your baby to be fed. If you pump after a feeding you might not get enough out to really save. Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand so your body should keep up with this arrangement and ensure that your child is still getting enough.



Good luck!

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