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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Breastfeeding Once Daily

18 replies

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 22:31

Hi,
My baby is only eleven weeks old but sadly I've had to return to work this week.
She was exclusively breastfed, but went onto bottles three days ago. I miss feeding her very much, and also don't want to deny her the antibodies she gets from me.
This morning, I breastfed once. I'd be able to feed her every morning before I go to work.
Does anyone feed their baby only once a day and give formula the rest of the time?
How realistic is it?
Will she still get some health benefits from so little?
Will my supply figure it out quite easily?

Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:

rochester · 23/01/2011 22:35

looking forward to hearing what is said. I am also thinking about only feeding once a day. (DS is 7 months).

Bella2010star · 23/01/2011 22:36

Any breastmilk you can give your baby is great! I think it is not just about the milk it is also about the special bond that you experince. Is there any reason why you decided not to express? just wondered as you seem to be upset about not giving b.milk when at work.

Original poster

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 22:37

Yea. I tried to express. I've been trying for a few weeks, but can never get more than an ounce, even with the hospital pumps :(

OP posts:

stretch · 23/01/2011 22:38

I'm not sure about 11 weeks, but I have been feeding DS2 once a day since he was 9 months. He has now increased that, by himself (!) to 3 times and he is 17 months.

AFAIK, she will still get health benefits, but be pepared for her refusing the breast after a while.

Good luck

Original poster

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 22:41

I'm still going to express what I can (not much) so that my mum can give her that expressed milk before the formula, but it's really hardly any.

I really hope she won't refuse too soon. I feel really guilty, as I spent a year off work with the last, but we just can't afford that this time around.

OP posts:

Bella2010star · 23/01/2011 22:46

Do you live in the UK as if you do your employer is supposed to allow you time off to either express or feed your baby during the day. I know that I have posted this on a few threads this evening but I am really passionate about Moms having the right to breastfeed when working. Lets face it we live in a expensive society and us moms need to work as many of us are the breadwinners now.
www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk/en/materialforclients/downloads/leaflet_4.pdf

Bella2010star · 23/01/2011 22:47

Sorry also meant to say that you little one is still very young and probably feeding very often so one ounce although it does not look alot is :)

stretch · 23/01/2011 22:49

Aww, don't feel guilty, you do what you can at the time.

You can always offer the breast at other times as well. Sunday morning lie-ins, during their jabs, during illnesses.

MoonUnitAlpha · 23/01/2011 22:51

I think at 11 weeks there's a good chance your supply will dwindle with just one feed a day. Can you breastfeed during the night too? Maybe co-sleep so you can get lots of feeds in?

Stimulating your breasts by expressing during the day as often as possible will help maintain your supply too, even if you don't produce much.

Original poster

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 22:52

Yes, Bella, we've spoken about it, and my employer is actually being very accommodating re expressing :)
I spend the majority of the day driving around as I care for disabled people in their own homes, so it'll be strange doing it by the side of the road lol, but needs must.
Thanks :)

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 23/01/2011 22:57

Your supply should adapt, yes. In fact your supply can adapt to feeding at weekends but not weekdays, too.

From what I have read, when older children nurse once or rwice a day, the concentration of antibodies etc in that milk is actually higher than that in milk produced for a tiny baby who is feeding every 2 hours or so - I assume it would be the same in this situation, although nutritionally it won't change I wouldn't have thought.

Here's a page on kellymom about combined feeding - it's interesting :) www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-partial.html

missmakesstuff · 23/01/2011 22:58

My baby was older when I went back to work, 6 months, so I dont know how much help I will be, but we have managed to continue, even though I found it hard to express (due to pressures at work, not the actual expressing IYSWIM)I just took it one day at a time, and made sure that I tailed off the expressing gradually, for example expressed for the first 6 weeks x 2 a day, then 1 x a day for another few weeks, now down to two feeds a day while at work, and on demand (but not at night anymore ) at weekends.

I really didn't expect it to last, but it has, she is now nearly 10 months, and going strong.

Why not just try and see how you go, you might surprise yourself - but at the end of the day, BF also isn't the only amazing thing you're doing for your baby, so don't dwell on it too much, you've given her the best start.

Bella2010star · 23/01/2011 23:01

Wonderful as long as they are being supportive try to express during the day think at that age they suggest expressing every two hours this may be challenging at first but it will get easier the more you express. They suggest when expressing that you should drink plenty of water and have either a picture of your baby or an item of clothing with their smell it is suggested that this helps to stimulate your let down. Also massaging your breast in a downward motion towards the areola will stimulate your letdown.

Just thought you want to look at this

missmakesstuff · 23/01/2011 23:04

Ooh, practically speaking, also recommend getting a little cool bag, I got a funky red dotty one. Freezer packs overnight, little mini ones, get them out in the morning and pop them in. Pump in zip lock bag, washed and sterilized night before, kept in fridge then bag during day. Keot a muslin in there too, and extra milk bags/breast pads.

I also taped a pic of dd to the top of the bag!

(and kept chocolate in it!)

Lots of people on here will have advice about increasing yield etc when expressing, I found it very useful - swapping between both boobs often during session was a good one.

Original poster

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 23:05

Bertie, thanks! That link was really helpful and reassuring.
I'm thrilled that you can actually bf on certain days, as I'm off every Tuesday (plus one other day, which is variable).

OP posts:

Bella2010star · 23/01/2011 23:06

Just thought I would mention that I managed to get b.feeding milk storage bags from home bargains for £1.49! for 25 much better than other places the rip off merchants. Hope you have one near :)

missmakesstuff · 23/01/2011 23:08

I am off every Tuesday too - really hasn't been a problem, never been engorged on the Wednesday or anything, amazing things, boobs!

Original poster

xRussianDoll · 23/01/2011 23:12

haha... somehow I've managed not to get sore boobs after even three full days of stopping, and fed her just fine this morning. Amazing things indeed.

OP posts:

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