Breastfeeding and returning to work in three weeks

[Pineview]

I am going back to work ft in three weeks and am still bf my dd who will be 6 months when I return.

I would be able to bf morning and evening (and possibly at lunchtime as nursery is close) I was going to start dropping the mid afternoon feed next week and the mid morning feed the week after and replace them with formula as I do not want to express at work.

I am wondering if my milk supply will be OK as I would love to continue bf for as long as possible as dd gets loves it and I already feel very guilty about returning to work. Was also wondering if I could bf full time at weekends or will I be in pain on Monday !

Any advice? Thanks!

[hellnats]

I returned to work 6 weeks ago when dd was just less than 7 months. I went back 2 and a half days and like you i was really worried about it. I didnt bother dropping feeds before i went back because she refused the bottle from me. She has however managed to take it no problems from my mum while I am at work and I feed fully on my days off and at weekends. I too really didnt want to have to express at work, but I have had to on 3 occassions (all Mondays) when I have been quite uncomfortable. I havent found it a problem though tbh.

Try not to worry about it - it will all fall into place when you go back.

Good luck!

[chipmonkeyPumpkinNorks]

Your body will adjust to produce whatever your dd will take. I did express at work and the "yield" was always very good on Mondays! I didn't find that I ever got very engorged, I expressed so that the baby would have EBM, not formula but I don't think I needed to express because of engorgement. It might be better on the first day to bring the pump in, just in case! And make sure the breast pads are in place in case of leakage! I did have one day when I had to go out and buy a new top!

[moondog]

Hi

I went back at 7 months, dropped in at lunchtime for a month to feed her and then at 8 months found that she could go all day without a feed, with just juice or water to drink.
We carried on b/feeding for 30 mths and at w/ends I fed her on demand.

I never had to think about it.It all worked out.

[NormanBatesFletcher]

I went back when DD was 8 months, and believe me, whe was demanding BF frequently at home. At nursery, however, she was fine, sometimes went all day, sometimes had some formula. She had HUGE feeds morning and evening, and I still produce, and she still takes, and she is 14 months now. She only feeds morning and evening now even at weekends, but at the time (3 days a week working) she just fed when we were together.

Breast pads are a must though

[ItsPotatoesForYouMyLad]

pineview, (it's past bedtime so I haven't read thread just op). I wanted to v quickly say i returned to work when dd was 8m and gradually dropped to 1 bf per day by the time she was 1 - and we're still doing 1 feed over a year later.
Good luck whatever you decide.