how many of you have been able to continue to breastfeed after returning to work?

Question

i'll be returning to work in 4 weeks and i haven't really established a good been supply yet. my 8 week old eats about 3-4 ounces at each feeding but i only pump about 2-3 during the day and in the morning i can pump about 4-5 ounces. these pumping would be if i am pumping out of both breasts. so out of one it will be half that. its hard for me to get pumping time in because my newborn is always demanding to feed. when should i start pumping to start a supply? i've used the pumped milk for my husband to feed him so i can at least take a shower and eat or even use the bathroom. is it possible to continue breastfeeding for a whole year after returning to a job that i will be away from him for at least 9 hours a day for 5 days out of the week? please tell me your experience on this. thank you!

Answer 1

You absolutely can do this! Katie C is right: pump right after a relaxing, hot shower. Even massage your breasts a little while you are in there to get things going.

Pump before nursing. I know, I know: it seems like you are taking away from his nutrition, but he will get what he needs. Babies are much more efficient at getting milk than the pump. Plus, we are walking, talking, milk-producing miracles! Your body will make more because he is demanding more (and so is the pump.)

I had what seemed like a low supply before heading back to work, as well, so I know just where you are coming from, sweetie. It seems like such a daunting task when your baby wants to be attached to the breast at every moment. But you have to give yourself a break.

I had to remind myself that my angel wasn't nursing for 24 hours straight...she may have stolen a suckle or two (or twenty) in between her big meals, but she was not truly nursing. So I pumped, and pumped, and pumped whenever I got the chance.

Like the other mommies, I found a routine: I get up early to pump and then nurse. I only get to pump at lunchtime (which takes me a good 25 minutes). Then I pump again at night. Three times to pump can be alot, but it is well worth it to give my baby what is best.

In these early days, just keep pumping, even when it seems like your breasts couldn't possibly have one more drop in them. You are simply setting up the supply/demand. Hard work at first leads to great results in the end! You can do it!! And remember that you won't have to pump on weekends... those are your special times with your baby boy. You can nurse and cuddle all you want!

Answer 2

Yes, I returned to work soon after having my first and also with my fourth and fifth and breastfed all of them until they were three years old at least.

Your supply is probably enough for your baby, but it's just hard for you to let down to the pump. You may want to try pumping after each feed, when your baby is settled and your milk is already flowing. That will have the added benefit of increasing your supply too.

Make sure you don't go more than 3-4 hours in between feeds so that your supply doesn't decrease and make it harder for you to pump. In fact, it would be a good idea if you took a day off from pumping and just spent it in bed with baby, nursing on demand. That will make your supply increase a lot more than regular pumping would.

Once you are back at work, you should express at least three times during the time you are away from baby, and use that milk for the next day. As soon as you are home, just breastfeed as often as he demands it.

Answer 3

yes, it is wholly possible. You will have to pump at work as well. My aunt did it for 9 months, and worked an 8 hour shift 5 days a week. I would build up a stash in the freezer, and make sure you pump at work every 2 hours or so. Then, let baby nurse all night long once your home! Let baby sleep with you, so he is still getting lots of breastmilk, and that will help build up your supply. And always remember, the act of breastfeeding, even if there is little or no breastmilk, is good for your baby. So keep breastfeeding, even if you have issues with supply. Your baby will make your body make more that way too!

Answer 4

Yes, it is possible! You need a good double-pump that can pump both breasts at the same time. Good that your baby will be about 12 weeks when you return to work, so start "practicing" these next few weeks with replacing meals with bottle instead of breast. Can't get the baby on a schedule? Also something to work on. I went back to work when my son was 10 weeks, our schedule was pretty much set by then.

6:30 AM - breast feed the baby before going to work
9:30 AM - pump at work (baby eats at daycare)
12:30 PM - breast feed baby at the daycare while I'm on my lunch break
3:30 PM - pump at work (baby eats at daycare)
6:30 PM - breast feed at home after work
9:30 PM - breast feed baby before bed
one or two feedings during the night

So really, I only pumped twice a day, and I was usually able to get enough out to make at least 3 5-6 ounce bottles, sometimes 4 - enough for him to have plenty of food during the day at daycare.

You may not have the luxury of leaving for lunch to go feed your baby during the day; I'll be facing this situation in a few weeks with my 2nd child. I plan to pump 3 times at work.

Seriously, what you'll have to do is when it's getting close to time for a feeding, pump instead of feeding the baby. Then feed the baby from the bottle (start with one bottle so you can save the other if your baby does not want it). At the next feeding time, same thing, pump again and feed the baby 1st what was leftover from your 1st pump of the day, then add milk from the 2nd pumping. Then do this for the 3rd time. By the end of the day, you should have at least one bottle of breastmilk left for the next day (if not, then close). Start the next day with that 1st bottle, then by the end of the 2nd day, you may have one to one and a half bottles. Over a week or so, you should have a good routine and supply established.

Answer 5

Congratulations on your new baby!
Good for you for breastfeeding him!

You are going to have a little bit of a tough time. It's hard work pumping enough for him to eat all day long while you are at work. But it's possible. First of all you aren't giving yourself enough credit for what you are able to produce. You are able to feed a growing baby everything he needs and you are able to produce 5 EXTRA ounces! That's wonderful.

There are some tricks to help boost your supply. First of all, when you get a chance to take that much needed shower, you should pump immeadiately after. The steam from the shower helps in your let down. And you have skipped nursing for 1 whole feeding, so you have that to pump too. Never just skip a feeding. What you would be doing is telling your body that you son no longer needs that feeding. So make sure you pump that amount and freeze it. I believe (you should double check me on LLLI.org to be sure ) that you can store frozen breastmilk for 3 months. All you have to do is pull it out the night before and let it defrost in the fridge (not the counter) overnight. It's as easy as that. Playtex plasic liners make for really easy storage and use. So consider that as your bottle.

Also, when you are really ready to pump like crazy, (probably 2 weeks before your start back date) you should start pumping Before you nurse your son. This is especially easy after a few hours of down time, maybe first thing in the morning. Then latch the baby on. Your body will produce enough to pump (the usual amount ) and extra on demand for your child. The suckling child always has a better chance of the body reacting to it and making milk on demand.
Good luck!
And good for you! Also, keep La Leche League International.org bookmarked. They have moms available in your area that you can call and ask for help during hard times!

Answer 6

Its hard but you can do it. You will just have to have the time and a place to pump at work. In 9 hours you will need to pump about 3 times for at least 10-15 min.
Hopefully your job and boss will allow this.

Answer 7

You should have 2 15 min breaks and a lunch. At least that is standard in California. You should also have a place other than a bathroom to be able to pump, that's the law. Talk with your employer and see what they say. Don't worry, it really isn't that bad. I go to school and work, and I am able to pump when I need to. I usually go as long as 4 hours, that way I can get a whole bottle in about 10-15 min.

Answer 8

I did...and here was my schedule:

Wake up at 5:15. Pump
Get dressed, nurse the baby. Leave at 6:45.
Pump at 8:10
Pump at 11:00
Pump at 3:00
HOme at 4:00 and nursing the rest of the time.

Get a good pump- I have an Ameda and it's easy to use and to clean when you are done.

Pumping is a commitment- but one I am willing to make because it is the best for our baby. It is hard at times...but so worth it. Please know you can do it!!! Have confidence!

I would suggest before going to work, pump in the morning- I pumped during our baby's nap.

Good luck to you and to your baby- kudos to your for breastfeeding!

Answer 9

a friend of mine would pump milk before and during work and keep it refrigerated for the baby and that worked well for her. good luck.

Answer 10

It is possible but you have to Consistantly pump at least every 2 hours.... Otherwise your milk flow will decrease and you will not have enough milk for the baby....