EBF 11 week-old and away one day a week

[themammy73]

Just wondering if anyone can give me any advice on how to manage this situation: in 3 weeks' time when my DD will be 11 wks old I will be starting a short course of 8 weeks duration which requires me to be out of the house for one day a week, roughly 9am to 5pm. I'm not good at expressing and can't see this happening while I'm away so I was going to get DH to give DD formula when I'm gone. Is it going to be possible to get away with not feeding her for that day only and maintain supply (and not be over-engorged)? I may be asking too much but reluctant to go for mixed feeding all the time unless I have to (ie. get a job!). Many thanks in advance.

Really don't know about that one 73. Mine were older when I returned to work, I expressed and still ended up getting mastitis when I returned after dd.

If expressing is a struggle, have you got a bfing support group nearby? They may be able to help you with hand expressing. They should also be able to talk you through leaving dd. which pump have you tried? I found the avent isis worse than useless, but did do better with the ameda lactaline.

Could someone bring her to you for a feed at lunchtime?

I had a KIT day yesterday, dd just under 11 weeks old and ebf. I express using Medela swing and have a stock of frozen milk in freezer. Yesterday I got up and expressed and then fed dd at about 7.30 am. By lunchtime I was feeling full so had to go to loo and hand express - so worth you being able to that for your own comfort even if you opt for giving her formula when you're away. I was full again by time I got home so fed her then, it was around 6.30. Supply seems fine today.

What's a KIT day. Is it anything to do with night rider?

KIT - keeping in touch day. You can do up to 8 of them whilst on mat leave, and get paid for them.

I have a cheap Tommee tippee hand pump which I thought was ok fir every so often. However i have recently learned to hand express - wayyyyy easier once you get the knack and aim right! Do feel like a cow but it's all good :)

I'm at 7mo and if LO is overdue a feed I can feel a letdown even though I've never majorly leaked so my guess is you will have to express that day or you will get engorged/leak.

GL :)

Thanks so much for the responses which are really helpful. It looks as if some kind of expressing may need to happen during the day when I'm gone.

JiltedJohnsJulie I have used a Medula electric pump before which took a lot of time and effort for very little milk! Maybe some kind of help from a group would be a good idea on technique!

I might just see how I go on the first day hand expressing and maybe have a manual pump if engorgement is too much. How much would you express by hand? Just enough to be comfortable? I won't get much in the way of breaks though as it's more of a practical patient-based course. It might just be a case of doing it and seeing how it goes.

Thanks for the advice.