Seeking Breastfeeding Moms Who Have Returned to Work

Hi M.! I'm a mommy of an 8 month old little boy. I've been breast feeding since he was born & want to continue until he is 1 year old. I returned to work in February & it has been very tough with the breast feeding & pumping. It’s a lot of work & I consider it to be one of my "duties." I never get to stock my freezer. Its pretty much a daily feeding/pumping routine for me. One of my friends referres to it as “booby bootcamp. ” I wake up 30 minutes early everyday & pump each breast for at least 10 minutes. Even if nothing is coming out it stimulates your breast to eventually produce more milk. Then I pump once during my work day. Normally during my lunch hour in a closed/locked office. Lunch hour is no longer mine! You might want to talk to someone in your HR department at work about securing a place for you to pump at work. Then once I get home the baby is usually ready to eat so I breast feed & then pump. I've gotten in the habit of trying to pump every time after he eats (excluding the middle of the night feedings). It really is a daily battle for me to just pump enough bottles to get him through my next day at work. But somehow it just works out. You also have to drink LOTS of water & eat high protein foods. Especially right after pumping/feeding. It helps replenish YOU after all that feeding & pumping & helps your body to produce more milk. Breast feeding is REALLY tough in the first few months but if you can get through it only gets better.

1 mom found this helpful

My co-worker feeds her baby an entire feeding on one side and pumps the other. The milk that's pumped is put into the freezer. She was told to do the feedings this way by a gastro. (He said the baby was only getting foremilk when she was doing 10 min. on ea. side.) It worked to get her freezer stocked before she came back to work! Hope this helps.

WWW.KELLYMOM.COM

HTH, S.

Hi M.,
I had to pump and store the 6 weeks that my dd was in the nicu, and we were told by our lactation consultant not to mix them unless ur feeding it to the child but not to freeze and then add more onto that and freeze....I dont know exactly why not but that is what we were told. By the time she came home we had over 300 of those little bottles from the nicu and it wasnt easy to pump and then feed and what not.....about you not having enough, it depends on how much you pump for and how many times a day. I drank the mothers milk tea from the whole foods store, it doesnt taste too great but it works like a charm. The lactation consultant at holmes was great.
best of luck
J.

The best advice I got when I was nursing is that it's not the quantity at each feeding that matters, but the frequency of the feedings - the more often milk is demanded, the more you will produce. So, if you want to stock up, pump in between feedings for a while - you won't get much at first, but your body will adjust. Or, if your baby already feeds every few hours, try pumping one breast and then offering him the other side. He'll likely want to nurse sooner the next time to make up for the smaller quantity, which will force your body to up its production. It pretty much works the same way as when baby goes through a growth spurt - they eat more frequently because they're not getting all they want at one feeding, and eventually, your body catches on and simply starts making more. also, once you're at work, pump at least every 3 hours, because pumping is less efficient than a baby is nursing, and your body will respond by gradually decreasing the milk production!
You'll get the hang of it, I pumped for almost a year... it can be done.
Good luck!
S.

M.,
I have 2 girls and went back to work at 6 weeks with both. I breast fed both exclusively for 6 months...it is doable, but very demanding on you and you must be determined. I think you should try to have your baby go a little longer between feedings...if he is sleeping, don't wake him up to feed him, instead pump and freeze your milk. Then, when he wakes up you'll still be able to nurse him. I tried to pump at least once a day. I was very efficient though and would get a lot of milk which helps. Stock up on as much breast milk as you can and you'll be able to do it. When I went back to work I would pump during the day to produce enough milk for the feedings my baby was having during the day and then I would pump one last time at night when my daughter went to sleep. I hope this helps. Be diligent and you'll be able to do it! Good Luck.

M.,

I started storing milk in the freezer 2 months before I started back at work. I would nurse my daughter on the right side and then pump from the left side afterwards and vice versus. After doing this for a little while my milk supply increased and it was no problem. I would normally only pump first thing in the morning when I was the fullest and maybe one other time during the day so my daughter was able to have enough to eat. The stored supply of milk really came in handing once I started at work. Once I started back at work I would pump every 3 hrs from both sides so I was able to pump more milk then my daughter would eat since she normally only feed from one side every 3 hrs this created extra milk to store as well. Good luck!

B.

Hi M.,

I also breastfed my children while working full time. Before I started back, I pumped a little extra. I would pump halfway between feedings. I pumped at night, sacrificing a little more sleep. Your body gets used to the more frequent "feedings" and will produce a little more. You won't be able to stock up a whole lot at first, so start as soon as you can. As your baby gets older, and your child care provider begins combining the milk with a little cereal, the feedings will go farther. I am a teacher, so at work I pumped at every recess and lunch and afterschool, keeping a cooler handy and then freezing. after 4 months, I started drying up as my students needed me at recess for extra help, and so I couldn't pump. But every month you can do it makes all the difference!! My kids are very healthy, and have never had an ear infection.

Just buy a good breast pump and take it to work, start pumping right now and store it for later. Breast milk will last for six monts in the freezer. Good luck!

That is precisely what you do. You can combine your breadt milk and save it that way, or you can breast and formula feed. One thing that worked for me was having my new born son (1 month) on one breast and pumping the other. I got a good 6 ounces out of one. Then i would switch him to the one I just pumped and pump the one he was suckling on and got a good 6 ounces out of that one. Make sure to also stay well hydrated (recommendation 6-8 glasses a day). Good luck!!!

Hi M.,

I returned to work when my son was 12 weeks old and I continued to BF. I found myself not having as much time to BF when I was at work, because I only got 1 lunch break during the day. So what I started doing was pump on one side while my son was on the other. That way I could freez what I pumped. I BF'd for a 1 year so when he started to transition to baby food I would continue to pump on the same schedule that way I wound't run out. I mean honestly it just worked out and became a way of life for me. Some times I would double pump and have my husband bottle feed him Breast Milk. It was very successful. Well I hope that helps and good luck with BFing.

Keep at it!! The more you pump the more your body will produce. I usually waited about 1 hour to pump after my son nursed. It's the whole supply and demand thing. The more you pumpp and nurse the more your body will product. Drink lots of water!!! It is extremely tough sometimes but so worth it. My son is done nursing and I miss the bond that we had while nursing. trust me there were days when I wanted to just go out and buy formula. Good Luck :)

here is what i did: a couple of weeks before going back to work i started pumping in between feeding sessions in order to start stocking up. it took a couple of days to start getting enough from pumping, and it is very time consuming, but it's the only way to have the milk for those first few days you're gone. then when i started at work i pumped throughout the day at the times when my son would normally be feeding, and used it the following day in bottles for my son to eat. it's tough at first but then it all works out. good luck.

Hi,
I exclusively breastfed 2 children and worked. I went back to work @ 12 weeks with the last one, and I agree it is not easy...but know that it does get easier as you go along. I would recommend you buy a book called nursing mother, working mother by Gayle Pryor, excellent source of information. I'd be happy to talk to you by phone. Email me privately, and I will send number. How old is your son?

Will you be in a position to feed him directly at any point during your work day?

Although, I haven't had to do this (fortunatley) I do try to counsel women on the subjject (I'm a doula)

Pump full bottles, but only freeze in 2-4 oz increments, so that the caregiver isn't waisting your milk by trying to feed him everytime he peeps. Pump the same time (s) everyday so that your body recognizes when it needs to make that extra milk...that'll also help on days off when you are able to feed with the breast. To help increase milk supply for pumping (if it's a problem) try diffusing the essential oil, clary sage when you are pumping...you can even just put it on your feet.

While preparing the freezer, before returing to work..go ahead and pump after you feed and combine, like you suggested.

There is a really neat book about women nursing after they go back to work called Hirikis Daughters...it's kind of uplifting.

HTH.

S. Mills
Touched By An Angel
Childbirth Services, Inc.

I breast-fed after returning to work. My company has a breast-feeding program and provides mom's a private area to pump and even provided the pump free of charge. The lactation consultant suggested that I start increasing my milk supply and suggested an herb that you can obtain at GNC called fenugreek. Its a licorice tasting herb from the fennel family. After several days I did notice an increase in supply. Your body will adjust to the demands placed on it from pumping to nursing, too. I continued this until my son was about 8 months old. He adjusted smoothly from bottle to breast too.

If you have access to a lactation consultant (maybe through your breast feeding services at the hospital you delivered at) definately ask her for some guideance.

Best Wishes,

R.

When I pumped before I went back to work, I pumped an hour after feeding.

Hi M.,
I have 4 children and BFed all. You didn't mention how old the baby is. Your breast mild grows with your baby, so in the begining you must put times on the milk to make sure the milk is used in the correct order. I pumped directly into one of those bottles with the bags so I didn't have to touch the milk and I could write on the bag and freeze the bag without contamination. Then when I was ready for it, I could just thaw it in the bag and use the bottle or transfer it to a regular bottle, again w/o touching it. I guess it's ok to combine milk after a while, but if he is a newborn you must write times and not combine. Pump whenever it feels comfortable for you.

Hi M.,
Breastfeeding was a tough road for me too, but I'm now almost to 6 months and it's going well. I didn't start storing until about a month before I went back to work too, so you've got plenty of time. I usually would pump in the morning after I fed her. I'd feed my daughter with one breast and then pump the other. Both breasts were full in the morning so it wasn't taking away from her.
Are you going to be able to pump at work? I hope so. If you are, then the amount you need in your freezer is really just what you need to get you through the first day and then what you need in case of an emergency. Actually, I haven't used any frozen milk yet b/c the first day I went back we used milk I had pumped the week before.
Hope this helps! Good luck and it's worth it!
Jenn

Hi M. and congratulations!! I have 2 boys, 6 yo and 3 yo, and I exclusively breastfed both of them for the first year of their lives. I returned to work with my pump in hand! What I did prior to returning was pump first thing in the morning while I was nursing and then throughout the day as I was nursing. It helps the milk flow better and you get a better supply going. The more you breastfeed/pump the more your body will produce. It is a supply and demand process! Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. After pumping you freeze it, and remember to put the date on it, and tell your caregiver not to microwave the milk. When you are at work you will probably want/need to pump every couple of hours to keep your supply up. And again drink plenty of fluids. I hope this helps! Best wishes! G.

I nursed all three of my kids and pumped when I returned to work. I tried to "Stock up" on Bmilk before I went back. Do what you can, but don't make yourself crazy. I am a teacher and had only 1 time a day when I could pump. With my first child, I had been pumping so much prior to returning to work that I was in a LOT of pain when I couldn't unload the bmilk that my body had become used to producing. I learned from that experience to use what I could comfortably provide, and give them formula the other times. You do what you can! All three of my kids continued to nurse every morning, afternoon, and night until about 1 year old. They are healthy, intelligent, and happy and are none the wiser that I snuck that formula in! :) Wokring and having children is stressful as it is; don't stress over the milk issue! Good luck!

I was in your shoes once and I pumped my milk ahead of time and froze it what was then the plastic nurser bags. It worked fine. Away for me, really didn't mean my presence wasn't there for my baby. The more you pump, the more the milk will come down.
Best to you.

M.,
Congrats on BFing this far! The best thing to do is contact your local LLL. I will include some links to help. Please feel free to contact me for support at ____@____.com son is six months old today and we exclusively BF.
Good luck! :)
FAQ on Pumping Frequency
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/pumpfreq.html
I'm pumping my milk to feed my baby, but my supply is going down. What can I do?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/pumpwork.html
FAQ on Returning to Work
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/returnwork.html
Human Milk Storage Information
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html

The only thing I can tell you is to start pumping now to build up your supply. I've never been able to get more than 2 oz out of each pumping TOTAL. I think I'm an exception, though. Other people I know could get 6 oz total from each pumping. I wonder if I'd started pumping earlier if I'd have more milk.

The Dr. Sears Breastfeeding handbook offers great suggestions--available at the library. I stock piled my breast mile (I even pumped on one breast while my child nursed the other!!!) I could get 8 oz at a go!!!! Couldn't believe it and I was using an Avent Isis hand pump of all things!!!

Good luck. Many women successfully do it- once you get the hang of it, it will be easier.
D.

Hi M., first let me say don't ever give up BREAST MILK IS THE BEST MILK. My daughter nursed every 2 1/2- 3 hours like clockwork. When I decided to return to work my first thought was to bottle feed, however, she refused the taste so I began pumping while she was asleep and after she would nurse. It worked. I was able to store so much milk and still have more than enough for her. Give it a try hopefully it will work for you. And by the way, my daughter is now a healthy 3 years old weighing 37 pounds, very active, and never took a bottle or pacifier. Does she still nurse?....... COME ON!!!!!!!!!!The girls teeth chew chicken now and I would definetly not let them near me after the way she eats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, I hope everything works out for you and your son. Just don't give up. Have a GREAT DAY! M.

I have the medela pump. I also was concerend with milk issues after returning to work. Here is what I did. I would pump around the schedule feeding in the restroom at work. Or set up two times a day. If your still nursing at night your body should adjust the milk supply to what he is eating. The milk is good for around six to seven days. Keep a cooler under the desk or in the locker. You can freeze and rotate or just use fresh milk. This worked out great for me!

Enjoy it!!

What great advice from everyone.

Hi M.,

I was reading the responses and I haven’t seen this idea yet, so I thought I’d throw it out there.

Do you *have* to return to work? If so, does it have to be full time?

If you can put off returning to work until after your son is weaned, then it will be one less thing to worry about. Or, if you can return to work only part time, it won’t be as difficult a transition for you both.

Here are a few links that should help you out:

http://lalecheleague.org/vbulletin/

http://www.lalecheleague.org/helpform.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/cbi/cbi.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBstorage.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBpumping.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBworking.html

These should give you pretty much everything you're wanting to know! Good for you for breastfeeding AND continuing after a return-to-work!

there are quite a few things you can do . the first being pump early in the mornings when your milk is most pentiful, pump after feedings that you find will be around when you would pump at work, pump and extra time in the am if you can to start to stock up. you can freeze it for 3-6 months and in a deep freezer for 12 months. I do free breastfeeding counceling at babies r us on okeechoobee blvd. If youd like to come one time and ask questions your more than welcome. or you can email me at ____@____.com . i can send you a lot of info about pumping and going back to work as well. theres a plethera of info out there i just dont want ot overwhelm you .

Hey M.,
You can definitely pump after every feed. This way you are completely draining your breasts and then they can refill. As you know, the more you feed and pump, the more you make. Also, you have more milk right when you wake up. Therefore, I make myself wake up 15 min before my 3mo old wakes up I pump. I store that amount then I breast feed him. Then I put myself on a strict schedule everyday. I would pump and every 3 hrs (and always right before I go to bed). It can be tiresome and frustrating, but you will have some stock for when you return to work. Now that I set myself on a 3 hr schedule. I continue to do that now that I am working. Therefore, I am still freezing and have plenty to take to daycare everyday. I could go on and on abt this. If you are having production issues, look into taking Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle to increase the amt you are making. You start by taking 4 tablets ea 3x/d. They worked wonders for me. Hope this helps. C.

http://familydoctor.org/828.xml

go to this website may be this can answer your questions.. I think it has important information that can help. If this website doesn't help try do do a google search and you can get different websites with information. When you search just type the question. like, storing breast milk.

Thank you. :)

Hi M.,

Don't worry you have plenty of time, unlike you I just started pumping and storing the week before I started back to work....yikes...anyhoo, my daughter started daycare when she was 12 weeks old and I send 5 5.oz bottles per day. I pump after she feeds in the morning and then 2 times at work and again in the evening. I know that I have to play catch up so I am going to try to pump more while at work, say every 2 hours or so...so that I am at least pumping three times a week.

Anyhoo,

I hope that that is somewhat heplful even though are situations are different a lactation consultant or the internet may help also.

Take care,
M. D

Hi M.,

I think you've made a really wonderful decision. It won't be easy, but you sound committed. I returned to work when my daughter was 12 weeks old and continued to breastfeed until she was 15 months old. The overall suggestion I can provide is to pump as much as you can and stock up as much as possible. Even though you'll be pumping at work, I definitely hit some supply and demand challenges along the way. I remember dissolving into tears one day when I realized I had left a bag of milk sitting on the counter to spoil. I did have to supplement with formula occasionally (1-2x a week or so?) and I don't think the bambina suffered too much :)

Here's an article on some of the logistics (I was interviewed for part of it): http://www.investors.com/breakingnews.asp?journalid=31450...

Can't think of what else to tell you. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to email me directly at ____@____.com. I feel like I encountered just about every possible barrier to breastfeeding!

Best of luck,
J.