I will be going back to work next month but really would like to continue breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I will be unable to pump while working because I am in sales and on the road all day with clients. So my question is for anyone with any experience with breastfeeding in the mornings and evenings without pumping during the day. Will I be able to do this or will my milk dry up? If I give him formula during the day will this interfere with breastfeeding? Thanks for any advice or help you can offer.
Are you able to pump at lunch at all? When I went back to work, I pumped 2x early am, at lunch and 2x in pm and after a few days, my body adjusted to my schedule but yes, the first few days I felt like I might just bust out of my shirt!!
Also get a good industrial strength double pump, cuts the pump time in half. Good Luck
I agree whole heartedly with the other repsonses. Another thought, (though it might not be practical) and that is pumping in your car during a break. I have a car charger for my Medela pump, and though it is not ideal, I have done it.
Your breastmilk supply is based on the demand, so your supply will decrease but if you consistantly breastfeed in the morning and evening, you should be fine. Also, if you haven't arleady introduced formula, sometimes it helps to mix it with some breastmilk the first few times, so your baby will get use to the flavor.
Good luck!
C.,
i breast fed my girl while i was working...but my job field was as much as demanding as you a sales women...if you don't pump during the day....it will be very sore and tender ..if you bump at aleast bit...it WILL LEAK...and even cause *infections* if not careful...and that IS VERY PAINFUL...i know it happen to me....so i took the time during the day for an hour to feed my girl or pump...feed you child before you take off and then about 12 , 1:oopm your choice time then at time...if you work late into like pm..take a break again feed or pump . i hope this helps you..P.s....going 2 the restrooms can give u a quick relief of the milk to pump if you are on the go..:)...
It can be done, but you are going to be in pain from being engorged and will probably have several let downs, so stock up on the breat pads. You my dry up however. But your body may adjust to your schedule. You can also take an herb, fenugreek, available just about anywere, Safeway has it in their organic section. It helps with breast milk supply.
But, honey, if I were you I would just try to squeeze pumping into your schedule somehow even if it's in a parking lot with a blanket over you. It's worth it for him.
i have sucessful breasfeed both of my children and i have left in the am and did not feed my son until the pm~ and he was fine, and i didnt dry up, just keep doing what you are doing casue you are doing a great job!
C. that is GREAT that you want continue to breast feed! I also had a similar situation to you and I did just what you were saying. I breastfed him in the morning and when I returned home. He did just fine, just make sure you drink plenty of fluids and fed him as soon as you get home. You may also try to pump at lunch time. Good luck I hope this works out for you and your little one!
Yes I have experience and the job that gave it to me was a sales route! I slept with my child and she nursed almost all night while we slept, I also expressed milk while she was nursing while we were together so I did have some to feed her while we were apart. ( she was older @ the time than yours )
I also never scheduled any nursings, switched her frequently from breast to breast when we were together during the day and had no separations from her @ all except for work. I also went out of my way to think about her during the day and any time I went to the bathroom any where I expressed a little milk even though I could not save it since it kept the production up and kept me from getting engorged.
On the weekends I was with her the whole time and nursed her alot. I fed her just as I left in the am and then the moment we were together again, if I had ANY chance to come home even if it was only 2 times a month at lunch time I did even if it meant at times I sacrificed production. I also made sure her sitter did not feed her very close to my return so she would be good and hungry when I got there.
I ate well, drank lots of purified water, prayed, and kept on nursing, none of my kids ever had ANY formula and they are all healthy and doing well. This does not have to mean the end of your nursing relationship, this daughter nursed past 5!
You can do it! For help read Nursing mother working mother and attend Le Leche League evening meetings where there will be other working moms!
I will tell you it is easier now that I have a job where my nursing child is with me all day, but it can be done if you must be away!
Wishing you many blessings!
There is no reason you can't do formula and breastfeed in the morning, evenings and at night. Your body will adjust to the routine and make milk appropriately. I would start the schedule slowly before you actually have to go back to work though, so you don't get engorged from no little one nursing in the day. Baby may want to nurse more at night too, as he's used to the bonding/snuggle time with you, and will be missing that.
One of my friends at church does a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding that has been successful for her but in the end its up to your body what it will do and no one can predict that. Will you have any time to yourself or are you with people all day? I often use a cover-up ( sometimes called hooter hider) to nurse my baby in the car when we are out and about. Breastmilk can stay good in a cooler for up to a day I believe. Medela's website has lots of good information on that. They also make pumps that are battery operated, so they can be used in a bathroom stall or anywhere you can find some privacy for 10-20 minutes. Good luck!
I believe there is a new law that would support you pumping at work. You may want to look into it. Also is it possible for someone to bring you the baby on your lunch break??? it is what my sister in law did. she has been workin for a few months now.
C.,
To pump during the day, you only need a 15 minute break or so, would you be able to squeeze that time into your schedule in between clients? Even one session while you were away from baby would help.
I SWEAR by the Avent ISIS Duo pump which even comes with a car charger so you can pump in your car under a shawl or blanket. I had also used their hand version in a pinch (this is when I was an OBGYN resident) and it did wonders as well.
If you can't pump at all during the workday, you might have a slight decrease in milk, but if you continue to feed your baby every 2-3 hours when you are at home (and pump off whatever is left over when he's done feeding) you'll continue to stimulate milk production. Of course, weekends will be your time to get him 'revving up' your milk factory, and you might find that Mon and Tues you'll have great supply, it'll taper till the weekend, then he'll get you back in business again.
Best wishes and good luck!
J.
If you live in Post Falls call Mothers Haven! They are great I bought a battery operated breast pump around $50.00 and it did awesome :) I think that you can do what your thinking it worked for me and my daughter lasted on the breast until 9 months when she decided she had enough of the boob and wanted the bottle. Good luck oh also they have natural products to help you produce more milk.
