Going back to work, what to give DS to drink during the day?

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Hi there, I'm going back to work in 2 months, DS will be 14 months. I don't know whether he'll get enough milk from me in the morning/night feeds so I'm thinking about giving him either formula or cows milk during the day.

I recently went in to work for a KIT day and DS bit me whilst latching on for the morning feed, I 'ouched' and he got upset and refused to feed. So I had to express for the first time in ages so my DH (who was looking after him that morning) could feed him later. It was the first time I'd expressed in months but I managed to get 250ml out in about 5 - 10 minutes and probably could have got some more out given more time. DS had this happily from a sippy cup while I was in work. Am I right in thinking that babies are able to extract more efficiently than a breast pump?

Really my question is, if DS gets that much milk from me morning and night does he need any more milk during the day (or will water do), and if so am I better giving cows milk or formula?

thanks for your help

Generally speaking, past a year, there is no point to formula - cow's milk (full fat) is fine.

And lots of babies (toddlers?) of this age manage fine on just morning and night feeds. They are much more efficient than a pump, generally speaking.

If you were concerned about him getting enough milk in the day, would pumping be an option? It certainly sounds like you get lots of milk out!

NotQuite thanks for your reply. I'm not to keen on the faff involved with formula anyway so would prefer cows milk, but then I don't understand the difference in nutritional value between the two. But then if DS is still getting morning/night feeds is it that important?

I was very surprised how much I got out that morning! I'm going to try replacing day feeds with milk or water over the next few weeks but i didnt want to express as it will keep my supply up and (as I think it will be difficult to express at work) I don't want to end up engorged/leaking in the office. When DS started sleeping through the night it took about 6 weeks before the supply reduced so each morning I woke up looking like Jordan in a wet t-shirt competition!