Breastfeeding Mom Goes Back to Worlk

Hi D.:

Relax....You're doing great! Breastfeeding is the most desirable way to eat for a baby, so it is understandable that there should be some adjustment time. Moreover, babies go through growth spurts so during the down times they eat less. So no worries, the best thing you can do is be consistent so she can look forward to your time together. I have BF four of my own (one while working), so believe me when I tell you the best thing to do is relax, that'll calm your baby and make this time much more enjoyable for both of you.

I breastfed my daughter, but occasionally I would have to pump if I needed to be away. Sometimes she would react the same way because I think the bottle is easier. Any chance you are having trouble letting down properly from stress or becoming engorged from not feeding? It is harder to latch on to the nipple even if you aren't swollen to the point of discomfort. One trick I used was to hold a warm wet washcloth to each breast before feeding. Of course I would leak, but it was just enough to soften the surrounding milk ducts so that my daughter could latch on a little easier. If that doesn't apply, think of any changes you may have made in your diet recently. Or maybe you are wearing perfume that she isn't used to or bringing home an odor from work that she doesn't like. And then there's always the dreaded colic that tends to rear it's ugly head around this age. Just hang in there and stick with it. I did it for a whole year, and although I can't tell you it was always easy, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.
The hospital my daughter was born in offered free help courtesy of the La Leche League as well as a phone number you could call should problems arise. Chances are, there is one available in your area that's just a phone call away. Good luck to you both and congratulations on making the decision to breastfeed!

Hi Darci,

I totally understand. I had to go back to work after 8 weeks with both my daughters and was pumping twice a day at work. I think your daughter might just be a little fussy because she is adjusting to not having the breast all the time. Please don't give up, hang in there and she will also adjust. I was able to breast feed for six months with both my girls before my milk dried up. I have a 4 1/2 year old and a 19 month.
I hope I have been able to help.

Good luck !

M.

You are doing great! If you were able to breastfeed her for the 3 months that you were home, then you have done her a world of good. Either way, from the breast or the bottle, she is still getting your GOOD milk. If she is getting fussy on the breast, then give her the bottle. You will still have plenty of ways to bond with her. She has probably discovered that she is more comfortable with the bottle, now that she is beginnig to discover the world around her. She;s only gonna get mor mobile, and isn't going to want anything to get in her way. I am a first time mom myself, and was only able to breastfeed my son for about three weeks. I totally understand your frustration. Don't let yourself get down, or feel like a failure. Technically, you are still breastfeeding her....its just coming out of a bottle instead of your nipple. Keep up the good work.

I was going to ask about teething also. I also pump 3 bottles a day for my daughter and I make sure that we use the low flow nipples. So far we are 9 months down the road and no problems. It's also an adjustment for her too with you being away at work. But due try to enjoy those nursing sessions while they last, they grow up too fast. I second the trying to nurse longer than six months or at least pump for longer as there are health benefits for both of you.

Hang in there. I have 3 sons. (8 years, 4 1/2 years, 18 months) I breasfed the first for 8 months, the second for a year, and the third for 13 months. I wish I had known about the medela pump with the first. It could be that the baby may be getting a little lazy because it is a lot easier to get milk from the bottle. Mine never did that. Is she fussy only during feeding? Is she fussy during those morning feedings before daycare?

I wouldn't go as far to say she is lazy. She may be getting use to the bottle and be ready to ween from you. It is one of the disadvantages of going back to work so sonn. Unfortunately our society and economic growth has put us moms in a position that we have to leave our young to go back too soon. She is probably confused at which one she likes more or just ready to ween herself. As long as she is getting your milk she is still getting the natural nutrients she needs. Just make sure when you feed her to continue to make the bonding a good experience instead of being upset. They also can tell if you are upset. Just enjoy the time together and worry about something that you can control.

Hey D.,

I will give you the advice that someone gave me when My son's nursing kept splitting me open. Try putting the niple from the bottle on you to see if she'll latch on without fussing. Then do it as much as you can a night as you can, like when she's sleepy and really just wants something in her mouth. She may be a little lazy, but think about it sometimes faster is better. SHe may be getting more out of her bottle in less time.

S. Williams
Owner of Yum Yum Scents
http://yumyum.scent-team.com

Hang with it.. I was a breast feeding mom as well & went back to work after 6 six weeks.. first thing is you need to double check with your day care provider that to be sure that your baby is getting your breast milk & that the provider is not taking an easy way out and giving the baby formula or someone else's milk.. the provider should also be sticking with the schedule that the two of you had at home as well.. remember also that nursing babies go thru spurts.. they would be times that mine would nurse at the same times for weeks then suddenly it was like he wasn't eating enough & nursing all the time.. also check your diet maybe you have eaten or drank something different that is not agreeing with her.. mine was tomatoes.. just keep with it..nurse as much as possible keep the bottle feedings at home to a minimum until the two of you are comfortable with using a bottle there.. and if you are flustered with the situation she does pick up on it.. so relax you are not doing anything wrong.. & she may like the bottle since it easier..just stick with the breast..this is where she is starting to test what she can get away with.. which there will be lots of those times.. good luck.. and happy nursing.. enjoy it as long as you can i sure miss those days of bonding

Yes. She likes the ease of the bottle.

Sometimes it is not the sucking that is causing the problem - maybe she is fussing because she is confused and she doesnt feel that comfort now that she drinks from the bottle. Have you tried using a specific blanket each time you feed her then allow her to use that blanket when she drinks from the bottle at the sitters - then she can smell your presence while feeding all the time. This always soothed my 3 children when I used a sitter.
Children dont like change.

Make sure the nipples for the bottles you have are the smallest holed ones , so she has to work harder to get it. And ask the daycare people is she getting cranky there too cause she maybe teething. Try rubbing some orajel on her gums before she eats.
If shes drooling alot thats another sign for teething. She's right around the right age for first teeth.

and let me encourage you to feed until at least a year, cause once its gone its gone, and you will miss it. My oldest self weaned at 8 months cause she became too busy to laydown and eat.