I don't have to return until May, my baby will be 6 1/2 months. It breaks my heart everytime I think about leaving him in day care with strangers. We have no family here to watch him, and will be using my company's day care program (we've been on the waiting list since I was 3 months pregnant).
I currently pump my milk and feed him in a bottle, but when I return to work it will be impossible to pump at work due to the type of job and work environment. I'll be going about 9 hours without pumping. How am I going to do this, I can't even go more than 4 hours now without pumping before I'm in pain, or get a clogged duct.
What should I do? Should I ween him off breast milk and dry up my milk, that thought breaks my heart too. How would I go about drying up my milk without getting an infection or clogged ducts. How long would it take? Is there any other option?
I just wish I could be a stay at home mom. Even right now I'm getting teary just thinking about leaving him.
2007-02-05 09:11:20 · 7 answers · asked by Mommy...LT 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I don't take a lunch break, or any break, barely time to use the bathroom. This was a big problem when I was pregnant and stopped working all together at 6 1/2 months. I don't want to say what I do or where I work, but it's a very high paced no time to stop environment, I'm on my feet all day.
Gee, I just read that and it sounds like a horrible job, but honestly I love my job and I do miss it.
2007-02-05 09:31:07 · update #1
I feel for you. By the time that you return to work your baby will be eating food as well as having breast milk. I think that you can continue your feedings at night and in the morning and your body will adjust accordingly. There are lots of moms that get down to just a night time feeding and still make milk for that.
If at all possible you should try to pump at lunch time so that you can send a bottle with your baby to daycare. The other advice that I can give is to pump a ton now and freeze it to use when your baby goes to daycare.
If it doesn't work out, you have already given your baby a big gift by nursing for 6 1/2 months. My son weaned himself at 7 1/2 months and has been very healthy and happy.
Sending your little one to daycare does hurt the heart, but you have to do what is right for your family. Good luck : )
2007-02-05 09:23:13 · answer #1 · answered by mom-knows-best 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The best thing I did was get a Medela electric pump...don't use one like the Avent hand-pump because they don't work nearly as well. You can do both breasts at once w/ the Medela and I swear it took me 15 minutes from start to finish (including washing the plastic parts afterwards and storing the milk in the fridge). It sounds like you need to have a talk with a (preferably female, preferably a mom) HR rep at your company and just make your case. You are legally entitled to that time! Demand it! Medelas are expensive but you can find them on ebay or craig's list. Good luck...I know it is so hard to go back to work (I did it when my son was 3 months) but it will all work out. Your baby has a loving, caring mom who wants the best for him and that's what matters. When the two of you decide it's time to wean, you just slowly start offering more bottles and less breast (or just switch him over to cow's milk in bottles after he's one) and your milk will slowly dry up. Take it slooooowwww, Mama...you can do it!!!!!!!
2007-02-05 09:56:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be legally entitled to a break to express your milk. If you aren't, try doing some sneaky hand expressing when you're in a bathroom cubicle to drain off the pressure
Remember that you are in the early stages of breastfeeding, and by the time you return to work, you will be able to go longer without expressing, you will be making just what your baby needs rather than being in the over-productive stage that you are in right now.
I think you are making a great decision to breastfeed whilst returning to work, so seriously, look into HR making a room availible for you to express (perhaps the medical room), even if you aren't going to keep the milk you make during the day, it will keep your supply established to feed as soon as you have your baby back with you.
EDIT: Sorry, I have just read your additional details, and you may not realise it now, but you will have to MAKE time if you want to continue feeding yourself...it's not going to be impossible.
2007-02-05 09:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to do...but I think in the long run its good for both of you. Today is the beginning of my fourth week back at work and it's been tough on me....the baby...he's fine and having a good time with the daycare lady...(I hired someone a block from my office so I get to pop in when I have time)
If I were you...I'd MAKE TIME to pump.
Do you pee during the day?
Do you eat lunch?
Do you take a coffee break?
Yes?? Then you have time to pump.
You can totally do it...it only takes me about 10 minutes to pump and I do it three times a day.
Legally it's within my rights to take that time AS WELL as take an hour lunch, but out of courtesy for my employer and to not stress me out about taking lactation breaks...I pack my lunch and eat on the go instead of taking an hour during the work day.
If you try to skip pumping, you'll be in misery and YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MILK.
Your baby is more important and pumping at work is TOTALLY DO-ABLE.
I had my doubts but I'm four weeks into it and my supply has actually increased! I think it's because of the regular pumping schedule.
Nothing is impossible...tint the windows on your car and do it in there if you have to.
In our last building we did it in the ladies room...now we have a conference room converted into a "lactation room" ...but I don't care I'd do it in the damn reception area if it was the only place to do it.
My baby is the most important thing...so is yours...do what you have to do to ensure that nothing gets in the way of your baby's benefits.
I was dreading going back to work too and as much as I miss him...I think it's healthy for both of us...me so that I can use my grown up words...lol and not go crazy and for him so that he can get socialized and make friends and have new experiences...
In the end I think it makes us both appreciate our time together so much more.
Good luck mama
4 month old baby with a full time working, exclusively breastfeeding mom.
2007-02-05 09:24:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
in case you already know of an section at your paintings you ought to apply, alongside with a small convention room with a door that locks, then discretely refer for your boss or place of work manager about using that position. For awhile I used a large provide closet that had a locking door because it change into the merely available position to get any privateness except the lavatory. If the lavatory is really the merely a threat area, then i do not imagine that is unhygienic - the milk and the factors of the pump that contact the milk shouldn't in any respect come into contact with something contained in the lavatory besides. I also had to apply a bathroom stall for somewhat, yet found it type of embarrassing because different women human beings ought to are available (it change right into a multi-stall bathing room) and ask if i change into ok or what i change into doing...
2016-11-02 10:09:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
legally they have to provide you with the time and place to pump if they dont its against the law (well atleast in illinois) they could get in a lot of trouble if they refuse to work with you trust me once i went back to work i tried not to pump but my milk almost tried up and now im trying to get it back but its not reallt working
2007-02-05 11:08:12 · answer #6 · answered by Alyson C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your boss. Make the time. It is what is best for your baby. It is the law to accommodate breastfeeding mothers.
2007-02-05 10:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋