Mix feeding and going back to work

[missmargot]

I will be going back to work two days a week from April. DS is currently breast fed with formula top ups due to previous lack of weight gain. My plan is to send him to nursery with formula and continue to breastfeed/top up when I am with him. I won't be able to express at work and I'm worried both about my supply being adversely affected and becoming uncomfortable during the day.

Am I best to stop breastfeeding during the day even when I'm with DS and just feed mornings and evenings every day? Or do I just suspend daytime feeding the two days a week I am in the office? Do I need to start making changes now so my body gets used to it?

Any advice much appreciated.

DS will be 3 months when I go back. Did you find your supply affected at all?

Thanks Paintyfingers, much appreciated. I want to carry on breastfeeding as much as I can even though he is taking formula too.

I went back at 9 months and BF when I was there, formula when I wasn't.

Just to pick up on one thing - you say you won't be able to express at work. Do you really mean that? You know your employer is obliged to make it possible, right?

I'm a freelancer so not sure I have the same rights, but even if I did the issue isn't them not supporting me so much as there being literally nowhere to do it except the toilet or my car, neither of which is ideal. The office is just one room, there's not even a stationery cupboard I could use and I wouldn't be comfortable doing it at my desk.

Fair enough. Just thought I'd check that you really did mean it!

I appreciate the support and it's a tricky one, I did think about making a fuss but I couldn't see a viable solution. That said, my breast pump does take batteries so if I do get desperate I could go to my car and do it there.

www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/law.htm

Have a read here. I'm in a similar (vaguely) position, the onus isn't on you to find somewhere to express.
Your car or the ladies' loo is not the place- hardly relaxing or appropriate.

Do you have the contact details for the employers' H&S rep- talk to them. Are you in a union, could they offer any advice?

The problem is there is literally nowhere- a very small company with 10 employees in one room. Shared toilets with another company in the same building and that's it- no meeting rooms, no kitchen, nowhere I could ask to use.

I'm ok with the idea of not expressing in terms of DS having formula rather than EBM as he's mix fed anyway, but I don't want to end up with mastitis. The Kelly Mom website seems to think my body will adjust and it shouldn't be too big a deal, but that could be referring to older babies where the supply is better established.