Questions about breastfeeding when going back to work

Erica - posted on 01/23/2009

Quoting Sara:

Breastmilk is not spoiled unless it smells really bad or tastes sour

Yes, it looks really funky because it is not homogenized, but it's still good within the listed timeframes!

I remember with my  first I was really put off by the looks of it.  :)

Sara - posted on 01/23/2009

I'm so sorry you had to dump that much! It is beyond precious when you're pumping!

Are you freezing your milk each day? If you just refrigerate it... it's good for 8 days. If you freeze it, though, it's only good for 24 hours once you thaw it, because some of the antimicrobial properties get destroyed in the freezing. I'd recommend using your freezer supply for back up. Use your freshly expressed milk for the next day's bottles.



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milks...



Storage guidelines

To avoid waste and for easier thawing & warming, store milk in 1-4 ounce portions. Date milk before storing. Milk from different pumping sessions/days may be combined in one container – use the date of the first milk expressed.



Breastmilk is not spoiled unless it smells really bad or tastes sour

Melody - posted on 01/23/2009

Oh- that's sad to lose 12 oz in a day! It's more precious than liquid gold!

My son (5.5 mos) eats at around 7pm for his last feed of the day- so I usually pump before I go to bed every night since I can only pump twice on my work days. It keeps me ahead of his needs and it's nice to have a cushion. I also have an early start and usually pump in the am before work rather than wake him up to feed him.

Debbie - posted on 01/23/2009

I didn't start pumping early enough before I went back to work. I wish I would have had more stored. Even if you just pump a little each day, it adds up. Good luck!

Christi - posted on 01/23/2009

ok I just looked at the hands free tip and I think it would make my lunch alot nicer. I'm double pumping now and when you have a 30 minute break by the time i'm ready to go my lunch is the last thing I inhale. Thanks for the tip- my frustration of the day was my in laws didn't put my extra think of milk back away in the freezer and I forgot to but my just pumped milk in the freezer so I lost about 12 ounces this morning it was sad.

Sara - posted on 01/19/2009

See if you can split that 30 minute pump break into two 15 min or three 10 min pump breaks. It generally doesn't take 30 minutes to pump... and with a good electric pump, and some practice, you might be able to get it done in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, pumping isn't as efficient as baby is, so you may want to add some extra pumping sessions into your day to make sure you have enough bottles.



I would recommend pumping first thing in the morning after you feed your baby, and maybe once after he goes to bed in addition to the pumping you do at work. Start now to get your freezer stash going... and keep going with it once you're back to work if you can. It's nice to have a buffer for those days when pumping doesn't go as planned for a day (it will probably happen - don't get discouraged... just keep with it!)



I love this tip for hands free pumping... I use it to help get some work done, or get caught up on my voicemails or emails while pumping:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands...



Good luck! Going back to work sucks, but I'm so glad for you that you got 9 months together!

Mary - posted on 01/19/2009

Solids should not replace breastmilk. They should be in addition to breastmilk. And he will definitely need more than one bottle for an eight hour period of time. You will really want to try and pump while at work because it will decrease your supply by not being able to pump. Also, it won't just affect supply. Your breasts will get so full that it will be painful, and they will probably leak. I hope you find a solution that helps your bb get the best thing for him!

Shannon - posted on 01/19/2009

Is there a reason why you are unable to pump atleast once while you are at work? I had the same issue when I first went back... or atleast thought I did especially since I work with all men... turns out I was wrong, and now they let me go 3 times a shift... no one has the right to tell you otherwise though.

As far how much he will need... it is hard to tell. Each child is different. If he doesn't like bottles, then I'd say one or two may be enough.... my osn is 5 months and only takes 3 6oz bottles while I am gone, and I am away for atleast 9 hours. He eats solids twice a day and still nurses atleast twice prior to me leaving and twice when I get home...



I would say to stock up the freezer, and see what happens when you start... the first day I'd say to bring atleast 3 with you, and go from there.



Good luck to you, it will work if you really want it to!!

Heather - posted on 01/19/2009

So glad to hear you are going to get a break!!!  Congratulations!!!!

Tamara - posted on 01/19/2009

What state are you in? (There may be laws on the books that protect your right to pump) What do you do? Have you talked to your manager about taking pumping breaks? Remember, the longer you go w/o pumping or nursing, the more engorged you will get and that can lead to plugged ducts and mastitis as well as possible abscesses. Remind your manager that it's a health issue for not only your little one but for you as well.

Erica - posted on 01/19/2009

Wish we had this! I have to pump on my lunch break, that's fine, but it's hard to eat and double pump at the same time...and the pumping necessitates the eating...otherwise I get very lightheaded. Plus they like to schedule meetings at lunch time...

Clare - posted on 01/19/2009

Just found out I am entitled to at least one 30 minute pumping break a day. Phew!

Jo - posted on 01/19/2009

I should say also, it is going to be impossible to pump at work, and I will be gone for about 9/10 hours a day.

Hi,

Check to see what rights you have. I know that in the UK when I go back to work my workplace has to provide me with a suitable place to express and reasonable time to do so. Do yo have a HR dept? Maybe you could check with them?

Christina - posted on 01/19/2009

I work 3 days a week and still have a good supply. I do pump at work 3 times a day and I have noticed I get less and less as the day goes by but then on my days off she gets all she needs. Good luck  and find out about your laws! It only takes 10-15 min to pump. Otherwise you will be leaking and in pain!!

Kayla - posted on 01/18/2009

Dont listen when people tell you that you cant breastfeed while you are working! I went back to work when my son was 5 months old and still breastfed him. I took two 10 minute breaks during the day (any boss should allow it!) to pump. By the time your baby is 9 months old he shouldnt need as much milk but one bottle between 7 and 3 may not be enough. I would suggest either pumping or just sending formula. If he gets hungry enough he'll take it.

Clare - posted on 01/18/2009

Thanks for all the advice, I like the idea of building up a freezer stash. I am in Australia and I really don't know what the laws are here for pumping at work, but I work in a lab so if I was going to do it at work it would probably have to be in the car. Probably should find out! Or try and make the money stretch so I can stay home until he is 12 months old!

Heather - posted on 01/18/2009

Oh...solids are only for practice at this age.  Babies should still be getting their nutrition from breastmilk or formula until 1 year.

Heather - posted on 01/18/2009

I also started back at work when my son was 6 weeks.  He takes about three bottles while I'm gone.  I had a bunch of milk frozen, so he was only getting breastmilk until he was about 4 months. Then my supply ran out.  Now he gets at least one breastmilk bottle during work, but I did have to start supplementing with formula. I would start stockpiling milk now!  Especially if you aren't going to be able to pump at work.  I'm worried about you!  You are going to be very uncomfortable.  I'm curious as to why you can't.  I don't know where you are from, but in the U.S. it is our right to be allowed to pump.  If it is a privacy issue, I also reccommend the car adapter on the Pump-n-Style by medela.

Christi - posted on 01/18/2009

i agree with kelly i have a pump n style that i love and can pump both sides in about 10 minutes at lunch. you can start pumping now and freeze it get a nice stock pile up. you can freeze in bags or invest in the drop ins freezer system- i'm borrowing it now. you'll be really uncomfortable if you can't pump at all at work. i can't remember how much your child will use. keep your head up and do what works for you. a good pump is expensive but it is worth it

Kelly - posted on 01/17/2009

Never say never!  You can do what you have planned to do.  I've breastfed my kiddos after returning to work when each was 6-8 weeks old.  There are great new pumps that will hook into car adapters if breastfeeding in your place of work is not possible.  I would recommend contacting La Leche League for some expert advice.  My advice is only based on my personal experiences.  Good luck!