going to work, should i still breastfeed ?

Elnie - posted on 10/04/2009

Hi Natalie,
I think my post is way too late, but if you are still breastfeeding and still considering wearning. I think you should give yourself some credit for not taking this consideration lightly. It's a tough choice, and it's certainly not one you'd want to decide and feel bad about.
Trust your instinct, if you and your daughter are enjoying it, what's to stop you from continuing it? Some moms start weaning partially, they may be tired of all the expressing, so their babies drink formula in the mother's absence, but when mom comes home, the breast is available. So that may be something you want to consider.
There are of course also many moms who express at work, it's time consuming and a lot of effort on your part, but the benefits are well worth it. You may not notice it now, but her health will definitely benefit from the antibodies only your BM can give. The advantages are endless, am sure you've done your research about the goodness of breastfeeding.
For me, I continued expressing at work for my second child, until he was 18 months old, afterwhich I went through mastitis and that ended our breastfeeding relationship prematurely. With my first child, I nursed til he was 2-1/2 years old.
I'd encourage you to continue nursing and enjoy the ride. Take it easy.

Shana - posted on 07/05/2009

Hi Natalie!
I had to return to work full-time after my daughter was 6 weeks old. I have breastfed exclusively and she is now 6 months and starting solids. I invested in a great pump and spoke with my supervisor about locating a private place in our building to pump milk three times a day. I nurse my daughter in the morning and night. You don't have to give up breastfeeding because you have to return to work. It can be done (unless you would prefer to wean your daughter now)! No need to fret!

Christine - posted on 06/23/2009

You should definitely keep breastfeeding. Basically you have two options for handling the daytime feedings while you are are work. You can either pump and send bottles of expressed breastmilk to daycare with your daughter or you can chose to give her formula during the day.



I went back to work when my daughter was 9 months and made the decision to give her formula while I was away from her. By 13 months my daughter had switched over to cow's milk so I didn't have to worry about formula anymore. She is 19 months old now and still nursing.



When I first went back to work I would feed her first thing in the morning before I left for work, as soon as I got home from work and another 2 or 3 feeds throughout the evening and night. I feed on demand on weekends or days off. Now my daughter is pretty much down to 3 feeds, one in the morning before work, one in the evening as soon as I get home and one in the evening when I put her to bed. However, if she is not feeling well she generally gets up for a night feed and will often squeeze in an extra feed between when I get home and before bed.

Amber - posted on 06/03/2009

I would say to keep breastfeeding if you can it will save you money as well as being healthier. I never really did get to breastfeed, and I work so I pump I pump 5 times a day 3 times at work and in the morning and at night. If I don't have enough milk then I suppliment with formula. I know other people who just breastfeed in the mornings and at night and don't pump and just give baby formula during the day while they work. Whatever will work best for you and make you feel the most comfortable.

Melanie - posted on 05/20/2009

My guy is 6 months old and I've been working for 3 months already. I was pumping twice a day at work to make bottles for next day at daycare. Was a bit hard to keep up w/his demand b/c he is a big boy....so eventually I had to top off bottles w/a bit of formula. Lately I've been under time constraints at work so have only been able to fit 1 pumping in so I send daycare whatever amount I can (and formula/cereal to supplement). I breastfeed weekends, mornings, and nights...You don't have to give it up. Just will take awhile to find the balance of what works best for you and little one. Good luck!

Michelle - posted on 05/18/2009

I also pump at work, my baby is 5 months. He stays at grandma's every day and it seems to work well. I nurse in the morning just before work. Then I take lunch and go nurse again. In the afternoon, I pump once, and then I am off work, and nurse a few times in the evening, and once at night. My baby eats about every 3-4 hours.

Jenifer - posted on 05/17/2009

I send breastmilk to his daycare, and he gets a 5 oz bottle about every 3 hours. My daycare provider is pretty supportive of breastfeeding, and they try to keep his feedings as close to on-demand as possible.

Amanda - posted on 05/17/2009

I was able to pump 3 times a day at work and kept this up until my little guy was 11 1/2 months old. I was so blessed that he didn't ever need formula. I had a few supply issues when I got mastitis (at around 9 months), and I used the First Years Breastflow bottles to prevent nipple confusion. My little guy did really great. I hope you are able to continue nursing exclusively.

Natalie - posted on 05/17/2009

Quoting Jenifer:

I'm in the US, and had to go back to work when my son was 6 weeks, but am still going strong with breastfeeding now that he's 8 months. I invested in a good breast pump, and pump twice a day at work. I breastfeed on demand when I'm home with my son. This arrangement has worked very well for us - no problem with supply or nipple confusion so far. Good luck!

thanks for your reply, so what does your son have when your at work ? 

Jenifer - posted on 05/16/2009

I'm in the US, and had to go back to work when my son was 6 weeks, but am still going strong with breastfeeding now that he's 8 months. I invested in a good breast pump, and pump twice a day at work. I breastfeed on demand when I'm home with my son. This arrangement has worked very well for us - no problem with supply or nipple confusion so far. Good luck!