http://forums.llli.org/ Handling your coworkers, supervisors and the logistics of breastfeeding and working with aplomb! Find support for all of your workplace challenges here. en Sun, 19 May 2013 00:23:28 GMT vBulletin 120 http://forums.llli.org/images/misc/rss.png http://forums.llli.org/ http://forums.llli.org/showthread.php?117003-Returning-to-Work..-When-to-Start-Pumping-and-Other-Concerns&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 21:56:57 GMT Hello everyone... I am seeking some advise as I am a first time mother who will be returning to work (full-time) in about 5 weeks. My baby will be... Hello everyone... I am seeking some advise as I am a first time mother who will be returning to work (full-time) in about 5 weeks.

My baby will be 12 weeks old when I return to work, he is almost 7 weeks old now and ever since we had his tongue tie corrected (at 6 days old) he has been exclusively breastfeeding.

FYI the first few days after we were home from the hospital we had to supplement with bottles because he was unable to extract enough milk from my breasts due to the tongue tie- we usually supplemented him with pumped breast milk. When we were supplementing I found it very difficult because even though it was only for a few days, he was already beginning to show signs of preference for the bottle (since the milk flows easier from a bottle). We have gotten over that hump as I am now exclusively breastfeeding but I have to say I am nervous about returning to work as he will need to be bottle-fed during the day and I am scared he will again develop a preference for the bottle and refuse to eat from my breast. My hope is that he will bottle feed while I am at work and that he will breastfeed when I am home (evenings, nights, and weekends).

Also, since I will be returning to work in about 5 weeks I feel I need to start obtaining a supply of breast-milk for my mother who will be watching him when I am at work (approx. 9.5 hours a day- 5 days a week). Is it too soon to start pumping? What is the best way to go about pumping extra milk to store so that I will not get engorged or feel uncomfortable all the time? Should I pump a little after feedings? if so how many feedings should I pump after? or should I set aside a whole different time to pump, for example when the baby is sleeping?

Your comments are appreciated! Thanks! ]]> Working and Breastfeeding @llli*babyxyz http://forums.llli.org/showthread.php?117003-Returning-to-Work..-When-to-Start-Pumping-and-Other-Concerns http://forums.llli.org/showthread.php?116996-introducing-cows-milk-at-daycare&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 14:25:08 GMT Hi, can anyone share their experiences with pump weaning and introducing cow's milk during the day? I've pretty much got the pump weaning thing figured out--I nurse at lunch time (and will continue to do so for a while) and some days I still pump once in addition to that but many days recently I haven't pumped at all and have relied on my freezer stash for bottles. My DD turns 1 next week and I have enough pumped milk to get her through that week and the following week even if I don't pump another ounce.

They offer milk at snack time and lunch time in a sippy cup to the older kids in her classroom. My DD does pretty well with water in a sippy at meal times. Should we just put some cow's milk in a sippy and see what she does with it? Or should we do the whole process of mixing breast milk with cow's milk in a bottle? I will say she will NOT take a bottle of cold breast milk and the one time I tried, she would not take breast milk in a sippy cup.

I've also heard here that if she's nursing frequently at home, she doesn't need any cow's milk. She nurses upon waking, at lunch time, when we arrive home, nurses to sleep, and usually (but not always) once overnight (we co-sleep). That's not counting the drive-by sips she takes in between chasing the cat around the house like a maniac. :) So I'd say she gets 5 feedings of 3-4 oz of breast milk fresh from the tap each day. She also eats 1-2 servings of cheese or yogurt almost every day. I have nothing against cow's milk at daycare and I would like her to have it if she wants it, but if she doesn't drink it, would she be OK with just water as a drink at school? I will also bring this up with her pediatrician who she sees the week after her birthday, if it is looking like she's not into the cow's milk. Thanks! ]]> Working and Breastfeeding @llli*sprocket http://forums.llli.org/showthread.php?116996-introducing-cows-milk-at-daycare