Not sure if I should post this in the Living Overseas section or here.
Before I go further I know very little about how it all works apart from what I've read on this thread and what my mother/mil did (their experience and advice differs wildly from what's on here, but I'm not saying they're right!)
I am pregnant and I would like to breastfeed. I live in France (recently moved) where ML is minimum six weeks post birth and the usual is between 8 and 12 weeks. I plan on going back part time at about six weeks (working from home) and full-time between 8 and 12. Full-time involves a bit of travel (five days a month overseas and three days a week driving up to five hours for work).
None of my friends/acquaintances in France (apart from MIL) have breastfed. Mostly they said it didn't interest them OR two have said their supply cut out after three/four weeks and they were advised to switch to formula.
Does anyone have any experience of working in France and bf? When I discussed with my gynaecologist I said that I wanted to bf for 8 weeks until I went back to work FT but as I have no idea how it works I'm not sure how I will organise my life around it after that, he said fine 8 weeks will be enough and then you can switch to formula (he is also an obstetrician and has pediatric experience and is very highly thought of in the area).
Everything I read here says that BF requires (and I'm not complaining but I thought in light of what I've written already you might understand my dilemma!) constant care and full-time attention, whereas FF allows for more of a routine. I just wonder if I am setting myself up for failure in trying to achieve this during my short ML.
Will I be able to start expressing at 8 weeks and carry on like that?
OK - I know I am a little unclear, but if you have any advice or experience on how it all works (and how I will succeed considering the prevailing attitudes) then I would be hugely grateful.
Thanks so much.
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Infant feeding
BF/short ML and going back to work - your thoughts and advice.
7 replies
flyingcloud · 01/09/2009 17:30
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