Returning to work/cutting down on bf

[Jenijena]

Hello... After some advice from anyone who has wisdom to share?!

Ds1 is 19 wks and I'm going back to work ft when he's 28wks, when his Dad will be looking after him for a few months.

I'd like to continue bfing (he is currently EBF, although has had formula in early days, and regularly takes a bottle of expressed milk) morning and night, and prob once during the day for my first two weeks at work - it's the two weeks before Christmas, and I can probably get hone at lunch/get a visit from him during the day during those two weeks, then I'm off til new year.

I've two issues really

I've been off dairy since he was 11wks as he was very pukey - he's still quite pukey but less so since i have cut all dairy. So replacing my daytime feed with ordinary formula is probably not a great idea? Has anyone got any experience with this?

Secondly... Obviously by 28 weeks he'll have started weaning and I was hoping to start about 22/23 weeks as he's already very interested in food and I don't want too much change in his life at 26 wks given I'll be just about at work (he has already swiped and eaten cooked carrot so definitely interested!)...so I expect my milk supply will naturally have started to subside a little(?), but bearing in mind I'm currently giving him four feeds during the time I'll be at work: 9, 11, 1, 3... When should I start cutting these out to minimise exploding boobs at work? (I'm aiming to cut out 9, 11, 3 initially, then the 1pm by January).

All advice gratefully received! I know I could express at work, but frankly I'm not sure I can be that committed, when I'm in work mode, I'd like to stay in work mode.

[bluefootedpenguin]

Hi, I managed to continue feeding with work til both dcs were well over one. I used to do a last minute feed before work, initially popped home at lunch to feed and then after work. Neither would have any formula but had plenty of water to drink if thirsty. Both started weaning, just a little food supplementing bf at about 20 weeks on hv advice. Simple fruit and root veg putres cooked and frozen in icecube portions. I Didn't express and found that my milk supply adjusted easily, no leaking or discomfort really. I don't have any experience myself but a friend had a preacription for lactose free formula for her son. Good luck!

[OneNiceGreenLeaf]

When I went back to work last month, I cut down my DD's feeds to twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening (and then usually 1 or sometimes 2 feeds overnight). I cut one feed down every week or so beforehand and my supply seemed to adjust quickly. I know what you mean about expressing at work. It wasn't practical for me either.

I can't give any advice about the dairyfree stuff I'm afraid but good luck with it all.

[OneNiceGreenLeaf]

Oops, I should have said, I replaced DD's breastfeeds in the day with formula. Although we'd started weaning, she still needed the milk.

[Jenijena]

Thanks both, would be good to know what age your dc were when you returned to work? Sounds like I need to think about dropping a feed a week, but am hoping the 9am feed becomes breakfast anyway.

[Wiggy29]

Just as a word of warning: when my ds was 9 months I started back at work and reduced day feeds from around 4 per day to one in the morning/ one at night. After a few nights I went to feed him and there was simply nothing there. Think I must have reduced it too much/ too quick and milk just dried up

[Oinkypig]

My DS is 8 months and started his settling in at nursery two weeks ago before I stated back to work on Monday. I am still feeding in the morning and overnight. I had started weaning him at 6 months, he has never taken a bottle and refuses milk(EBM or formula) from a cup so I was really worried about nursery and he had been fine. He seems perfectly happy with just his food during the day and milk at night. So the dairy intolerance might not be an issue? I haven't had to express at work so I think he had stopped taking as much milk during the day even though I had still been offering it to him.

[Beamur]

I think you can get soya formula is cows milk is a problem.
I went back to work when DD was about 7 months old and carried on bf. It didn't occur to me to cut down feeds before going back to work tbh - I expressed a tiny bit for a couple of days whilst as work, just for comfort, but soon seemed to adjust. I was at work 4 days a week and home 3 days. On the days at home I carried on bf on demand as normal and on the days I was at work, DD ate solid foods and drank water as she was a formula refusnik. Oddly I didn't find this a problem at all and my breasts seemed to take it all in their (metaphorical) stride.
In my experience, it was nothing much to worry about.

[Jenijena]

Thank you everyone :)

[mumnosbest]

DD is 8.5 months, bf and I go back to work 4days a wk after xmas too (she'll be almost 1yr)

another word of warning. don't assume the morning feed will become breakfast. DD eats cereal then wants her milk too! means we have to start breakfast much earlier. Also I've started dropping the midday feed and she makes up for it at night instead :)

[Climbingpenguin]

I went back at four months and fed her until over a year with no formula. I'd say relax and that it will be a lot less stressful than you think. will pop back later if you have any more q's.

[Jenijena]

Climbingpenguin - wow! Was that full time! I guess my thinking is how he's going to manage 8-6 without me, when he is currently very snacky, but I guess we'll make it work

[Beamur]

You might find he will make up for it by feeding a lot during the night which might be tiring for you for a while.