Return to work and bf

[habhann]

My lo is 7 mths old and after a tough start to breastfeeding here we are still breastfeeding. I breastfeed 2/3 times in day and lo gets 2 formula feeds, one at lunch and the last at bedtime. Lo also in 3 solids per day and doing great. I am hoping to go back to work in July, still trying to get my head around that as feel guilty for leaving him:'( I plan to still feed him myself early morning and maybe evening time. What did all you other working mums do? Will this guilty feeling pass? Tia

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I went back to work full-time when bottle-refusing DS was 8mo. I tried leaving expressed milk for him at nursery but he wouldn't have a bar! He's still a VERY breastfed baby at 12mo so working and BFing are very compatible with an older baby. You're lucky to have the peace of mind that yours won't want for milk when you're not around.

We started him very gradually in nursery from five months old for a couple of half-days a week so that he - but mainly me! - had a good long time to get used to the separation. He started full time in the two weeks before I went back to work so that, by the time I did go back, I knew 110% that he was happy, I was coping being apart from him and I'd got boob management sorted! Three months on, I do still need to express for comfort from time to time during the day, and I have had mastitis a couple of times when I've let myself get/stay engorged and not done something about it sharpish.

You do sort of get used to being apart (although I won't deny a bit of crying on my part in my first few weeks back at work) but on the plus side, the time you do spend together becomes so much more meaningful and valuable. It really is quality over quantity

[cinnamongreyhound]

I went back to work when ds1 was 6 months and I bf him morning and evening and expressed at work for his bottle feed at 4pm ish. He dropped that at about 9 months and I continued to bf him morning until 12 months and bedtime until 15 months. He didn't cry once and is now a very outgoing happy child, I found it very hard and had my favourite photo of his taped to a shelf above my bench :)

I don't think the guilt ever goes whatever you do as a mother! I stopped working and started childminding when ds1 was 14 months, he's now 6 and I feel guilty that I don't have the time I should for him and that our house is full of other children 10 hours a day. If I worked away from him I'd feel guilty if stopped working and we lost our house and had to move to who knows where I'd feel guilty. It's part of being a mum! We do our best and with the right intentions and that's all we can do. Good luck with your return to work.

[habhann]

Thanks for replies..i was made redundant last Oct just before lo was born. So a job has been offered to me to start in July on a 2/3 day week. I want to go back to work for the social aspect but will miss my little guy. Have to start checking out childminders this week

[Trying2bMindful]

Hi
I returned to work when DS was 10mo. We had a v rocky start to bf in the first place so I was very nervous..... But it has gone great!!
At 9mo we went on holiday where we could put him in a crèche all day if we wanted. It was good preparation for returning to work. I found out I could leave him for 8 hours without my boobs exploding, he would barely eat or drink all day but make up for it when he saw me and we all survived!!
At 10mo on my return to work 3 long days a week (11 hours apart) he would nurse in the morning (set my alarm clock 30 mins earlier to fit it in), when I got home, before bed & occasionally during the night if he woke up. I didn't express at work so he was offered formula as a mid afternoon snack, alongside 3 solid meals & 2 snacks a day.
On my NWD he is bf on demand & eats 3 solid meals & 2 snacks a day.
At 12months we are still bf with no immediate plans to stop.
Good luck!!

[NomDeClavier]

I went back when DS was 4mo and expressed for him. I've since gone through various working patterns and he's still BF at 2. If you can really hang on to the morning and evening feeds your supply will adjust and it won't be a problem to keep going.

[habhann]

Thanks everyone..i had a hospital appt today. I fed him early am and then late afternoon.boobs survived long spell...so hopefully this means my supply is adjusting

[Trying2bMindful]

Sounds like you are doing great. Good luck.