Anyone had to do it all breastfeed/work/study and a preschooler? :(

Megan - posted on 12/08/2011

Wow ladies! I thought I was busy with one 19 month old, a husband who works 60 hrs a week and a full time teaching job+ doing the afterschool program. Did I mention we both commute about 40-60 minutes to work? I am exhausted, but you ladies have even more on your plate. Speaking of work...

Mandy - posted on 11/21/2011

Your boss must allow time and a place to pump by the way. I found that the trick to a large pumping supply for me was to pump right away from the beginning at least one extra time a day. A double electric breastpump is a must when pumping at work, and you need something to help with handsfree; there are bra-like things, I think the one I used was called a pumpease... I ended up with so much frozen milk that I stopped pumping around 10 months, and my daughter had four breastmilk feedings a day til she was one, then I slowly weaned down to one night feeding, which she is still getting at 17 months, because I haven't yet finished my frozen milk supply.

Julia - posted on 09/15/2011

It is tough. When I had my second, my first was two, I worked part time as a university instructor, my husband worked three jobs, we were undergoing a massive restoration in our house, and I was in grad school. Did I metion my husband had just finished his phd?

You do what you can, when you can. If you try to be supermom, you will wind up with ppd or worse. Nursing I found was a great way to reconnect with my little one, and I made special snuggly time with my oldest, who self weaned during my second trimester.

Good luck!

Hira - posted on 09/12/2011

wow...I know its going to be impossible but your situation is very much like what I will be going through in a few days...thank you for sharing...

Michelle - posted on 09/12/2011

Although it's been a while since I had to do all of that, I did it - I pumped at work and it was really hard to get used to - I had to use my classroom, cover the window on the door and put a sign outside that said do not disturb (the lock wasn't enough) and I had to close the window because one of my pumping sessions was during lunch and the students went outside. Drinking lots of water helped with the BF. As for school - I thought I could do it all because my toddler went down early in the evening and how much trouble would the baby be - really? I was even taking online courses but found I never had enough time to finish a lesson which ment I often had to repeat the reading or viewing the material because I would forget what it was about (baby brain!) I eventually hired a college gal to come watch the baby a couple of hours two times a week so I could get my Master's work finished. I also got really good at putting clothes in the washer whenever it was empty (on the way out the door, before bed, etc) to make the house work when I was working or sleeping. Good luck and use all your resources!!

Hira - posted on 08/27/2011

Thanks for replying..its just really means a lot to find someone in the same situation, and how to deal with it..I guess i am just going to stay with my mom until the baby is big enough and my breast milk supply is established...I heard if moms are too stressed out, they barely get any milk supply. I do not want to ruin the BF again. My school is almost an hour drive too..two times a week..I like the idea of grocery getting delivered but seriously even then cooking cleaning takes up the whole weekend. There is one colleague who pumps at work but she did not tell the principle and usually does it in the restroom lol..i dont know if i can keep it a secret..My boss is really annoying and if she is going to give me hard time with pumping i will probably quit..Its good if family is around to help MIL or mothers..you girls are real supermoms!

Jacque - posted on 08/27/2011

I'm in a similar situation, except I'm in a public school 1500 miles away from any family. I'm due in Dec. '11, I have a kinder starting at another school, so I have to somehow pick her up after school and get her to her dance and swim lessons. I have night class once a week in a town 1 hour away from my house. My husband doesn't lift a finger, not even laundry! In the Spring, when I go back, I'm going to breastfeed/pump during the day. Here's my plan: utilize the babysitter who is 1 block from my school, get groceries delivered, buy online, utilize the church nursery babysitter to be (a high school girl) "on call" for me, I will text her when I need someone to watch my kinder or help me with getting everything done. Go to the moms at your school and talk with them, they may know a way for you to pump at work. I've found that talking to mom colleagues is the best resource out there. Anxiety and stress have caused me to have braxton-hicks contractions lately, so I've been trying some calming breaths and relaxation techniques.

Jennifer - posted on 08/27/2011

Totally hear you. I have a three year old and a six month old. I gave up my teaching job to move cross countyryfrom CA to TN. We had to move in with his folks. I start my masters soon but, I am doing it on line. I am breastfeeding as well. I am applying to different districts but, at this time of the year teaching pools were decided when I gave birth to my daughter. My husband is really no help either. He is still looking for work and school. I think I will just sub to find out about our district. I don't know anyone here. So, hopefully things will start to turn around soon. Still have to figure out preschool for my son. My mother in law will watch the baby. Totally hear where you are coming from.