will i have to stop?

[hydeyhi91]

My 17week old dd is ebf, after the initial problems of latch and very sore boobs I now really enjoy it.
I'm planning on going back to work in February and not sure if that means the end of bf?
I'm only going back part time- about 25 hours a week. Probably a week day shift, an evening and a weekend.
How do I go about this while still bf? I would preferably like to mix feed as hate the idea of having to express in work. It just wouldn't work in the job I have. Saying that I also don't want my boobs to explode and end up with mastitis!
Will my supply be established enough to still bf as normal when not at work?
And how do I begin dropping some bf for formula?
Would be very grateful if someone would literally hold my hand and talk me through it as I have no idea where to start!
Tia

My story is a little different in that I didn't go back to work until my boys were a bit older (10 months and a year, respectively), but it's entirely possible to keep BFing when you go back, especially if you're only working part time.

I did express one feed in work a day both times (still doing it for DS2), but if you don't/can't and swap those feeds for formula your boobs will adjust, and your supply will almost certainly be robust enough at that stage to keep feeding outside of work. I know lots of people whose babies had formula at nursery/childminder and "straight from the tap" for the rest of their feeds. Unfortunately I can't help on the dropping feeds bit as mine had already just dropped feeds by themselves because they'd ramped up so much on solids by then. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about going back with a slightly younger baby will be along shortly.

Thanks for replying :)
I'm really hoping my supply will just adjust and i can feed on tap when not at work and not have to top up with too much formula apart from the times I'm not there!
First had in my mind I wanted to feed til 6 months then slowly stop because of work but love the convenience and saving money so wanna keep going til a year now I think.
How long did you feed toys boys til?

Anyone else with advice? How far in advance will I have to drop a feed or two before going back to work?

I fed DS1 til he was 2.5! He dropped the lunchtime/expressed feed first, then the one when I came in from work, then just fed morning and evening for over a year. DS2 is only just over a year and still feeding away.

I went back to work pt when dd was just over 5 months. I found it bloody impossible to express full stop and the nature of my work would have made it hard too (self employed gardener). I bought little cartons of formula for dh to give to dd when I was at work and some how the boobs adjusted slowly, when I first went back for a full day (being out of the house for about 9ish hours) they were bloody sore but sticking baby on as soon as you get in sorts that out. Also not wearing a bra helped, just a soft stretchy vest, not the best look in the world lol but I found any bra hellish... Dd adjusted well and I she got boob all day when I was home. We just kind of muddled through and she's just weaned off me altogether at 14 months. Hope this helps.

That really helps thank you! I'll be going back when she's just over 6 months so at a similar boob stage to you haha
Your experience gives me hope so thank you, I hope it works out the same for me! Although I work in retail and have to wear a purple shirt, so thinking I need to invest in some very absorbent breast pads to avoid any embarrassment!
How did your little one take to formula? Did you introduce it before you went back to see if she would take it?
I introduced a bottle of expressed milk at 2 weeks with my dd so she can take bottles, just wondering if they can tell the difference with formula?

I had planned on leaving enough expressed milk (hollow laugh) on my first half day back at work, and had left some of the wee cartons for 'emergency'. Apparently dd took all 40ml I had managed to express in one go, and when I got home she was merrily chugging through a carton in a bottle without a bother on her...It's good you've got your wee one will take a bottle from you, dd never did take one from me.