Mommy of 7Month Exclusively Bf Baby Going Back to Work.

C.,

So glad you posted this. These are great questions, and I happen to have some great links with really pertinent information about this. I've also been pumping for my daughter in daycare since she was about 3 months, so that makes it 18 months that I pumped! We are still nursing very successfully at home, so this strategy is not only backed up by good info that I'll post, but by my own experience! Also, I lead my offices Lactation/Pumping support group, so I've got tons of good info that I'm VERY happy to share with other working moms.

1 - How much milk does my baby need? Your baby needs about 1 oz/hr when she's away from you. For a breastfed baby, this amount NEVER EVER changes. Breastmilk intake is NEVER based on the age/weight calculations that formula is. It's different. Here's more info: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

So from 7-3 would be about 8 oz (this would give you some leftover in case of emergency). It's best to spread them into smaller bottles. If you nurse around 6 AM or so, you'd give at around 9 AM, then 12 PM, then you'd nurse at 3. That's just an example. Because you're giving solids, things will look a little different than that.

The most important thing to remember when feeding solids to a baby, that their primary source of food should be breastmilk or formula for the first 12 months of life. This is based on the reccomendations of the WHO and the AAP. This means, you should not decrease the amount of milk you send to daycare during the first year of life. Here's some info on that: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html#.... Remember, breastmilk has more fat and nutrients than any other food, so reducing milk with solids will not only cause your supply to drop, but it could affect your child's weight gain and growth. That's something that's really important to remember and it's why the WHO and AAP come out so strongly on this. Solids at this age are for play and learning, and aren't intended to be a really steady source of nutrients.

So how do you balance solids and breastmilk? Here are some sample menus to help you get started. These were so, so helpful to me: http://www.mother-2-mother.com/samplemenus.htm

Also, on the pumping, I've been pumping for so, so long. There are some things that make it easier, but I'm worried that I'm writing a novel, so I'll message it to you. Hopefully that's okay. In the mean time, and for anyone reading this who is in the same situation as you, here is a link to a list of pumping tips specifically for teachers! Hopefully this will help you: http://forum.kellymom.net/showthread.php?t=86861

If you have any questions about this info, please let me know.

Wow C. I'm really impressed that you are willing to give up your lunch/free time everyday to drive to nurse! I am just (sort of) weaning my baby who is now 13 months. I was a teacher in NM before we moved to the OC but for now staying at home since, as we all know, there are no teacher jobs. So I know how hectic a day being a teacher is and lunch time was the only time I could sit. It's exhusting. You haven't really said if your little one takes a bottle or a sippy lately. If she does then just get a bottle for her to take at lunch. She will quickly start eating more and more solid foods. Your supply will stay steady as long as you keep normal nursing up (heck sometimes I feed my daughter once every 3-4 days and it's still there!) I think after winter break you can skip that pumping or coming back home during lunch and do solid foods during the day. If it were me I would totally avoid having to go home during lunch. Good luck! (glad you were able to keep your teaching job through the crisis!)

Hi there.

I have a 10 month old that I still breastfeed and pump for while I'm at work. I go at lunch to nurse him...first let me say, it may seem a giant pain to you, but once you get used to the organization and plan of it all, you get past that. I would recommend you get the Medela steam bags to steralize your pump stuff each night and also the Medela wipes to clean things while you're at work. They seriously make my life easier!

Anyway, when my son was at 6-9 months, here was his at daycare schedule...

Drop off at 730a.
Bottle (5oz.) around 8a.
Cereal around 10a.
Bottle (5oz.) around 11a.
I'd come nurse him quickly at lunch...not all days was he interested in nursing though.
4oz vegie jar around 1-2p
Bottle (5oz.) around 2-3p.
I pick him up at 530 and nurse him before he eats dinner.

Now that he's 10 months old and eating more solids, the first two bottles are 4.5 oz (and he doesn't always take all of them) and the last bottle is only 3 oz. I've also added in half a banana at cereal time and a 4 oz yogurt at vegie time. He now also eats cheerios from time to time and drinks water from a sippy.

Now that he's 10 months old, he's also eating portions and pieces of what we eat at dinner time, but I didn't start that until he was a little over 9 months.

Good luck! Any other questions, let me know...pumping at work is a pain, but worth it! And cheaper!!!

-M

I would recommend you get some practice pumping now, so that it's not last minute chaos in the middle of a busy day. It's important to relax so that your milk can let down, so you don't want to be stressed. I always had pictures of my baby around when I pumped; it helps.

It's not a bad idea to get her used to the bottle by having someone else feed her once a day. And when you pump, that will be about what you need for a feeding. Probably about 4-6oz. I'm assuming she'll eat about 3 times between 7-3, so that's 3 bottles of 4-6oz. Your milk supply should not go down as long as you pump the feedings you're apart, and make sure you pump till you're empty.

As she takes off with solid foods, she naturally just start drinking less bmilk. Your body will adjust to how much she eats, and you'll just pump less over time.

You could go to the sitters to nurse, and this might be a good transition to ease both your minds (being away from our babies is hard!). Over the long run, though, it will make your day that much more busy, so you'll probably eventually just want to send the bottles. It depends how far it is and how much you feel nursing is easier than pumping. I never wanted to pump when I was in the same place as my baby... just more needless washing ;-)

I recommend getting some Medela microwave steam-cleaning bags for your pump parts. They make pumping on the go so much easier. I kept a dish towel at my desk to let the pump parts dry on (with half the towel flipped over them).

Good luck and good job with your dedication as a mommy!

I have worked from 7-12 in the morning, since my baby is 1 month now is 7 months.
At the present time I nurse in the early morning, I left 4 ounces of milk and 1/2 fruit. And she is ok. And I nurse after work

If I work 8 hrs, I left 8 ounces and more fruit.

I use a pump and the milk supply does not go down.

Good look!
A.

Hi C.,
My situation was pretty similar to yours...the main difference is that we had a rocky nursing relationship at first, so my daughter has always taken a bottle no problem. I went back to work when she was 3 months, worked from 7-2 and this was our routine:
BF overnight and early AM before leaving
4-5oz bottle BM late AM
4-5oz bottle BM early afternoon
BF when I got home in the afternoon and whenever she wanted for the rest of the day/night.

I pumped twice at work for the first several months. I never had an issue with supply, in fact have always had plenty when I pump. I usually pumped more than the 4-5oz I needed, so would keep some in the freezer for backup. I could skip a pump here or there and always had plenty.

As she got older and started eating solids, the schedule changed up a bit. She went to solids in the AM, a bottle of BM before her morning nap, solids for lunch and nursing when I got home. At that point I was only pumping once/day since she was only taking one bottle. By about 11months she started refusing her bottle (or she'd just play with it, gnawing on the nipple until it had leaked all over her), so I stopped pumping. She is now 14mo and eating solids like a champ, while still nursing with me in the afternoon, bedtime, overnight and early AM. My supply is still adaquate for her needs, even though I go through most of the day without BFing/pumping. I think our bodies regulate pretty well to the supply/demand effect.

I'm sure with some trial and error you'll figure out what her needs are. I would say have more than enough pumped to get started (even start stockpiling some in the freezer now...not to mention get your body ready for pumping) so that your nanny is never left emptyhanded. After a few days she can let you know what your daughters feeding rythm seems to be so you can plan accordingly. It was easier than I thought it would, and hopefully will be for you too! Let me know if you'd like any more specific info...and good luck!

C.-
First of all congratulations on successfully BFng for so long. I am a full time working mother and have a 10 month old who I have been successfully BFng. She would not take a bottle for 16 weeks-my husband was able to get 1 1/2 oz. in her but over an hours time and wouldn't you know it the day I went back to work she took a bottle from our nanny.

At 7 months your baby should be taking 4-6 feedings a day. Taking in 24-30 oz. per day. I too never knew how much to give her so I would make a 7-8oz. bottle for her at lunchtime. If she is nursing a lot in the morning and if you can nurse at lunch time you may get lucky and not even need your sitter to use a bottle. Your daughter will adjust to a feeding schedule you set for her.

If you aren't able to nurse then pump at the scheduled feeding time so your supply does not go down. I pump every day after lunch-usually in my car because I'm in sales. I also drink Mother's Milk Tea that you can get at Mother's. You'll find a schedule that will work for you and I wish you all the luck.

Oh yeah, if you go to earthsbest.com they have a suggested feeding schedule that is helpful.

So, I guess I'm a little confused as to what exactly you're asking. It's not very clear in your request. Are you asking how to transition your little one to a bottle? If so, you might want to try pumping and giving your little one breast milk in a bottle, this might help ease the transition some for him/her. Keep in mind that the transition can take awhile for some babies so I'd start now. Also, try having your husband give your baby the bottle, this might make it easier for your baby to accept the bottle.

If this isn't wehat you're asking, I'm sorry, but like I said, your request wasn't clear.

I would recommend calling your La LEche League Chapter in your area to have these questions answered. They are an incredible breast-feeding support group!

Towards the end of August, Belly Sprout ( a natural paretning store) will be opening a Nursing Nook. We will have nursing clinics where you can come to ask questions and seek help from certified Lactation Consultants. We can give you referrals to lactation consultants before then, if you need help!

Good Luck,
C. Funk
www.bellysprout.com

I can only speak from my experience but I went back to work part time (away from her 6 hours) when my daughter was almost 9 months old. She never took a bottle OR my pumped breastmilk (and man did I toss a bunch of stored milk) - she only wanted it from the source!

Anyways when i returned to work, she ate food and mastered a sippy cup of water. At 3, she is a great water drinker which is a plus!

We nursed before I left for work and immediately when I got home. Plus an afternoon nurse for nap, a quickie after dinner and before bed.

I only pumped for a week or two at work because I found that my breasts "figured it out". I would feel them start to fill up as I drove home.

So my milk decreased but only when it didn't need to provide for her...

I am sure you will figure it out, don't stress! I am sure you are like me and would love to NOT work, but jsut remind yourself that you are doing what is best for your family :)

Hi there! I don't know exactly how much your little lady needs in terms of ounces. However, I worked when my gal was 4 months until she was about 8 months. Anyway, she would always drink a little more than what I pumped, since the bottle is easier to get milk from.

Before going to work, I would pump, as my lactation consultant said "Like I had twins." For the first morning feeding, I would always pump on the side that she didn't eat on. If she ate on both sides I would pump on the other side after she was done and nursing on the other breast. This really built up my supply! I eventually would get a whole 6 or 8 ounce bottle and had that to stock up on. The key is to do this every morning, even on the weekend. You can freeze some and store if you get sick or have a busy day at work when you can't pump when you need to. Although, I would try, try, try to not have that be the case. As you know, if you do that too often your supply will go down.

Best of luck to you as you transition to work! I am sure everything will work out perfectly!