Can i breast feed even if i'm going back to work 2 weeks after the baby's born?? I know you can pump but i thought the first few weeks you had to be there with your baby all the time... please give me some advice!!
2006-07-20 08:29:11 · 20 answers · asked by nurseaidgirl07 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Will your doctor even release you to go back to work so soon? Breastfeeding or not, you should be getting 6 weeks off work because your doc most likely won't release you to return to work until then. You will need time off to heal, to bond with baby and to establish breastfeeding. Going back too soon will make it hard for you to recover from the birth.
EVERY SINGLE DROP of breastmilk is a benefit. It's better to wait a few weeks to introduce a bottle though so that you don't have latch problems.
2006-07-20 08:35:17 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, do you have to go back to work so soon? You need time to heal and for the baby and you to get to know each other. It's hard enough to have a new baby without the stress of going back to work so soon.
Second, you can breastfeed and give your baby breastmilk when you aren't around. Buy a pump and try it out. Learn how to use it and when your baby is most likely to feed. If baby doesn't empty the entire breast, then pump the remainder and freeze it. Either that, or start pumping for one feeding and giving in bottle form. That will get the baby used to the bottle without stopping breastfeeding.
Third, talk to work about the fact that you are breastfeeding and need a place to pump while you are at work. Most places are pretty good about it and will give you a quiet, private spot to pump. It's a pain to pump at work, but it's better for you and the baby. Freezing your breastmilk is better then having to buy formula. It's free, easy to use and the baby will love it more then formula. If you feel that it just won't work, then breastfeed when you are there and use formula when you aren't. That's better then totally stopping breastfeeding all together.
Good luck!! I hope you find a solution that works for you!!
2006-07-20 15:55:56 · answer #2 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to breastfeed and physically can then nothing can stop you from it. I work 45-50 hours a week at a restaurant. It's not a sit down job by any means. I pumped at work every 3 hours for several months then took it to 2 pumps a day after baby started solids. Until he was 9 months, he never had any formula. But I had made up my mind I was going to breastfeed this baby because it was what I believed was best. If you think that you can do it, then do it. If your heart is not in it then don't. I do think you'll want more time with your baby no matter which you decide to do. There is a great website, www.breastfeeding.com Good luck whichever you decide to do.
2006-07-20 16:05:36 · answer #3 · answered by justagirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, all that I can say is from my experience, breastfeeding. I have 4 kids and breastfed all of them but, I didn't work so that was an easy decision. From what I know, it is easier for your milk to come in and for the baby to get established on the breast before starting a bottle, but anything that you can pump and give to your baby is beneficial. Formula is good too and so it really is going to be up to you in what you decide. Whatever your decision is don't feel guilty about it. I have a lot of friends who couldn't or didn't breastfeed and most of them are feeling guilty for not doing it now. You make the right decision for you and your child and know that you did the right thing.
Other advice that I can give to you is call your OB and ask them to recommend a good lactation center and speak to a lactation consultant and maybe they can tell you or direct you for the information that you need to make the right choice.
2006-07-20 15:41:38 · answer #4 · answered by brittme 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can breastfeed and work. Or bottle feed and work or both. You are going to get people that tell you that you HAVE to breast feed your baby or he/she will get a million ear infections and have a horrible immune system. That's not always true. I was bottle fed and I was fine. My brother was breast fed and had to have tubes put in his ears as a baby. To this day he get sick easily and has a million allergies. It's all a crock. You must do what you feel is right for both you and your child. No one can tell you what way is the best for. That's YOUR decision.
Unless it's absolutely necessary, please do not try to go back to work after two weeks. (if you are even released) Your body needs to heal and your hormones are still going to be haywire. God forbid that you have a c-section, you'll be in the hospital for 5 days anyway. You're going to need time for yourself.
2006-07-20 15:40:54 · answer #5 · answered by siobhann1013 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breast feed whenever you can, and pump every 3 or 4 hours at work. You should do fine. Is it really necessary for you to be going back to work that early, though? Your body will still be getting over the birth. my youngest grandsn was in the hospital for 10 days from the time he was 4 days old, and my daughter pumped all her breast milk, since they had to have exact measurements of intake and output. and she went on to nurse him for 10 months.
2006-07-20 15:35:00 · answer #6 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can still manage both at the same time. If you're comfortable with breatfeeding it's supposed to be the best thing for your baby. My friend simply uses the pump and when she goes to work, whoever's there with the baby warms up the breast milk and feeds it to her. You don't have to be with the baby all the time, just as long as someone is, and your breast milk is made available.
2006-07-20 15:34:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do anything you want to do, you just have to work at it. You should work closely with a lactation consultant to make sure you are getting the hang of things and everything is going well. If you need to pump all the time (baby won't take from you) that is fine too, at least the baby is still getting the breastmilk. Good luck
2006-07-20 16:34:06 · answer #8 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A girlfriend on mine was back at work the week after her baby was born (starting at only one day a week, though.) She pumped at work when she was here and baby's grandparents bottle-fed her breastmilk to him. She worked her way back up to full-time breastfeeding at home and pumping at work and did so for a full year.
2006-07-20 16:28:37 · answer #9 · answered by mockingbird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow thats soon..yes you can pump if you choose say at lunch break, keep a cooler handy or refridgerator it may make your nipples sore or sorer than they already will be if you nurse the first 2 weeks your baby needs the vitamins in your milk for healthier development check out you closest laleche leauge they can give you lots of info an working moms and breast feeding formula for my grandaughter runs about 130 a month theres also the WIC program check em both out
2006-07-20 15:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋