BF baby but have to return to work soon.......

[frenchmummytiger]

I return to work in JAnuary when DD will be 5 months old. At the moment (18wks, 10lb7oz) she is BF with a FF at 11pm. She is VERY interested in our food (tries grabbing it )and everything goes in her mouth at the moment. She is dribbling like crazy and seems to be feeding more often during the day. This last week, despite having 8oz of formula at 11pm, she has been having a BF at 1.30am, 4am and 6.30am...... I work 12 hour shifts and will not be able to express at all during this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated as would ideally like to try to wean before I go back to work.... HELP !!

she is teething. that is why she is waking up loads.

why wouldn't you not be able to express at all? if she is grabbing stuff then let her grab and sample. you could offer her broccoli, carrot sticks, tortilla, pitta - all prepared for her but put on the side of your plate for her to grab. it is just about textures and exploration at this time anyway as all weaning food have less calories oz per oz than either bm or formula.

Won't be able to express as am paramedic so hardly reach station during 12 hr shift and when I do, it's not a guaranteed full 30 mins (phone could ring any time so food for me has to take priority ! Hope that doesn't sound selfish !

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work 3 or 4 shifts in week with 2 off. alternate sets between nights and days..... Got to figure out childcare as well !!!!! Talk about headaches !

You can mix FF when you're at work with BF-ing when you are at home and your DD wants to nurse, if you want. I don't work your crazy shift pattern but DS copes perfectly well with BF first thing in the morning and last thing at night if I'm at work or following a different pattern if I'm at home. It's much easier than going through a weaning-off-the-breast process.

Agree that weaning onto solids is unlikely to help with the waking up (sorry!) but no harm in letting her grab things if she wants (she may even put them in her mouth, but is unlikely to actually swallow anything until 6 months unless she's spoon-fed).

you haven't said if you were hoping to continue to bf after you go back to work. if that is the case and you want to continue to bf and hopefully express, there is information out there to read up and discuss with human resources before you return.

ameda lactaline has an adaptor that works in vehicles. it can solve the problem of not being in a building at a convenient time. storing ebm is not such a big issue as storing formula. also, as i express at work, you will find that you can express an hr earlier or later, depending on what goes on.

another option is to build in an extra feed for the pump at night after your baby goes to bed.

hth.

LOL at pump which works in vehicles !!!! Not sure my mate would appreciate my exposing myself in order to express milk !!!!!!!!!!!! Or maybe he would !! We're well up on anatomy etc, but I really have no desire for my colleague to see mine !! Don't think DH would approve either !!!
Thanks very much for the info regarding HR though, I will have a word and see what they can suggest.

you don't have to get your baps out so to speak to use a pump in a vehicle. nevermind. doesn't sound like you're too interested anyway.