Breastfeeding vs Formula - working moms?

Question

My hubby and I are currently TTC. But we've already been discussing whether or not to breastfeed. I know breastfeeding is best, and I would really like to do that for my baby. But, I will be continuing to work full time after the baby is born and I'm not sure how difficult it will be to handle breastfeeding/pumping/etc. Luckily I work alone on 2nd shift and will be able to pump in private as much as I need to. But how do you know how much you need to pump, how long you can store it after, etc? I'm not even pregnant and already nervous about this issue! Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Answer 1

I've been pumping at work since my daughter was 4 months (she's now just over a year).

Pumping isn't that hard. I actually used my pumping time to grade papers (I teach) and do other work! Here are my advices:

-get a double electric pump, a nice one if you can afford it.
-get a pumping band (or rig one yourself) so you can pump hands-free.
-pump early on (not *right* away, but starting at maybe 4 weeks) and build a stash before you go to work. If you can.
-don't worry if you only get an ounce or two (for both breasts combined) at first- that's totally normal.
-I pump both sides once for every four hours that I'm away from my baby.
-have your caregiver bottlefeed on demand, just as you breastfeed on demand.
-your babe may take less milk during the day, and wait for you to come home to nurse like crazy; this is normal and good for your supply.

Also, as far as bfing itself goes, find a LLL group near you, and do a lot of reading and research beforehand. Plus, realize that most doctors know very little about human lactation, and are likely to give you terrible advice. You have to know what's going on yourself, and not trust them to help you.

Good luck TTC and in making all the choices that are facing you! :)

Answer 2

It is so worth it to pump while you work. It is not too difficult to do and is really worth the effort. When I was working full time, I would pump three times a day for about 15 minutes each session. This produced more than enough milk, and I actually had an excess of milk in my freezer that I ended up donating to a baby in need. I also used the rest of it after I got pregnant and my milk dried up so my child could still receive the good stuff. I found a bra that had slits in it that I could use for pumping hands-free so I could knit or read while I was pumping. That made it even easier.

Here are the guidelines for milk storage and how long the milk is good for:

Freshly pumped milk, no refrigeration-- 4-10 hours, depending on the warmth of the room
Fresh refrigerated milk-- 8 days
Thawed refrigerated milk-- 24 hours
Freezer inside refrigerator (the old style freezers)-- 2 weeks
Freezer attached to refrigerator-- 3-6 months
Deep freezer, self standing-- 6-12 months
Transporting fresh, refrigerated or frozen milk in ice packs-- 24 hours

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is so fun. I Love the bond it has created between myself and my two sons. Although it is very time consuming. See I am grateful that I didn't have to work, because I could never release to a pump. I even bought a $200.00 pump. So my suggestion to you is to pump as much as you can before you have to go back to work. They have a bunch of web sights that can tell you about storage and everything else. I would suggest that you do buy a better pump, they do work better and are worth the money if it something you really want to do. Make sure you continue your prenatals after you deliver also. Relax and get some books or surf the net. Oh and one more thing if you do nurse get the cream for breastfeeding mothers in the purple box, I cant remember the name it starts with an L. It really works if you get sore! It's worth the 10 dollars. Good Luck!

Answer 4

yes breastfeeding is best, and since you have the oppertunity to pump and do if comfortably then you should. You can store breast milk up to 6 months in a deep freezer and 3 months in a freezer thats attached to a fridge. You should punp as often as you can so you can build up a supply. Start out pumping every two hours and as the baby gets older move it to every 3-4 hours. Also try to let the baby nurse whenever you can, so like in the morning and after work and at night. If you can also come home for lunch and nurse that would be ideal. Breast feeding your baby for the first year is a wonderful gift to your baby. The bonding experience alone is worth it, but with the health benifits it gives you baby the best possible start. Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't care how much work/juggling it takes to pump, DO IT. I pumped and fed my premie for eight months only breast milk. She is now eight, bright, healthy as a horse, and has NEVER ONCE had an ear infection (unheard of by me before that).

Don't worry about the logistics of it. I kept the pump at work, took the bottles and containers with me, so I didn't have to lug the pump back and forth. Just closed my door a couple ot times a day. This decision is so easy, and working out the details so minor compared with all else that goes into being a parent. Plus it is lots easier for night feedings, and feedings at home, not to have to get up, fix a bottle, etc. It is already there, and the perfect temp....no prep time while the kid is screaming.

Formula is a DISTANT second for choices, only if something dreadful happens to the mom or her ability to produce milk should you consider that.

Answer 6

Go to a local La Leche League meeting and they will be able to answer all of your questions and more about breastfeeding. Take your husband, men are always welcome. Pumping doesn't take that long, maybe 10 minutes every few hours. Storage, depends on how you are storing it. Room temperature 2 hours. Refrigerator 3 - 7 days. Freezer 3 - 6 months. Get a mini-fridge or freezer for your office.

One big piece of advice. Start pumping and storing as soon as your milk comes in. Milk usually comes in about 3 days after the baby is born. Your body works on supply and demand. If you wait to start pumping when you go back to work, it will be a lot harder to keep your supply up than if you had been pumping from the beginning.

Answer 7

breastfeed. If you can only do while your on maternity leave that would be fine. Pumping isn't that hard especially if you can do whenever you need to. Breatmilk can last a long time frozen. I breastfed for about five months and when I was back at work it was much easier thriough the night when i was breastfeeding becouse you don't have to get up. You will pump as mucha s you need most likely, but if you don't you can supplement with formula

Answer 8

Breastfeeding is great, but it is work. Do what you can, but don't beat yourself up too bad if you do have to do some formula supplementing. You are NOT a bad mother if you choose formula! I know a few ladies who weren't able to breastfeed, but I would never consider them bad moms! I breastfed on maternity leave and when I was home, but I didn't have that much success with pumping. So, it was formula at daycare and nursing at home, some is better than nothing!

Answer 9

Since we really do know that breast milk is the BEST, it won't be that hard to pump.....my daughter worked as a pediatrician during the days......before she went back to work, she was pumping away and putting in deep freeze where it can be kept for at least a month or more. During the day at work, she pumped 3 times, put it in the refrigerator and took it home at the end of the day in one of those thermal bags...then froze that. On the weekends she pumped over time. You will never regreat it!!! worth all the effort to have such a healthy child....good luck....

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is the best idea for your baby, but honestly, pumping and trying to get enough can be difficult at times. There are plenty of sites that are pro-breastfeeding that can give you the information that you need about storage and that sort of stuff. Formula is another choice, lots of moms choose formula instead and have PERFECTLY healthy babies!! I breastfed for as long as I could with my daughter, but when my body stopped producing enough milk, I did half breastmilk, half formula until I dried up. My daughter made the transition beautifully! Good luck TTC!!