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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Quick breastfeeding question/help

25 replies

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 15:48

I am definitely being a panicky FTM, so please bear with me!

DS is 14 weeks, EBF. I left him for the first time today for a lunch, didn’t take any pumping stuff as I thought I’d only be away for 3-4 hours (he has plenty of EBM at home). However some people were late and service was slow, so I’m only just on my way home. As soon as we get home, we have to go straight out in the car for a swimming class, so I’m unlikely to be able to feed him until 6:30, meaning I won’t have fed him for 7/8 hours.

Obviously I’m uncomfortable, but the bigger issue is that I am really really worried about this somehow screwing with my supply. Is that possible at this established stage? What would I have to do to mess things up? Any tips for how I play the rest of the afternoon?

Thanks all!

OP posts:

lulu12345 · 14/12/2018 15:52

I'm sure you haven't messed things up, don't worry! Having said that I'd be tempted to give the swimming a miss so you can feed him. You might find he goes mad when he sees you again!

Ohyesiam · 14/12/2018 15:54

No, your supply will be fine.
He might not be keen on swimming though.

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 16:02

Am I going to get mastitis?

OP posts:

FloatingthroughSpace · 14/12/2018 16:06

His need for a feed is greater than his need for a swim. Feed him and give swimming a miss this once.

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 16:08

Good point. Can’t do it all

OP posts:

Bowlofbabelfish · 14/12/2018 16:09

If you do it regularly it will affect supply.
Once wont harm supply but it will make you uncomfortable. You may leak quite a bit while swimming/showering/ changing

It is definitely possible to get mastitis from not feeding for eight hours (ouch, I know from experience.)

Give him a quick five min feed and be late for class .

Bowlofbabelfish · 14/12/2018 16:11

Also you may find he’s very clingy if this is the first time you’ve been away from him. He will likely want to stick to you all evening.

I’d ditch the class this week tbh. You might not enjoy it with a grumpy baby and leaky boobs...

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 16:13

No one has ever changed tubes faster than I’m doing now!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 17:46

We didn’t bother with swimming, thanks everyone. How soon will I know if I’ve got mastitis? DH says DS has been really upset, wouldn’t take a bottle, cried real tears etc. Feel so guilty

OP posts:

holidaylady · 14/12/2018 17:49

Signs of mastitis are red rash on your breast/s, you feeling like you have the flu.
You will know I promise you!

Mastitis is when the milk is pooliyand not being expressed. So if you feed each side to take the pressure off. Let baby calm down a bit and have a lovely cuddle.

Then feed again both sides to try and drain each breast.
And feed as much as possible for the next day. Mastitis isn't a definite.

Definitely give swimming a miss!

Confusedbeetle · 14/12/2018 17:53

You won't get mastitis, just feed him. Shame you didn't know he wouldn't take the bottle. It would be worth offering him one once a week (by Dad) It won't upset your feeding and may be important if you were ill or had to leave him again. A useful thing, although he is not daft and knows the good stuff

moreismore · 14/12/2018 17:53

Lots of good bf advice.
Good anti-guilt advice? He will never remember. And you’ll be a better mummy after a break.
Hope you’re enjoying evening cuddles.

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 18:01

He’s always taken a bottle before - DH gives one a week as I’m going to work next month. Guess he just got too upset today, poor thing.

Anyway, I’ve fed both sides twice and expressed once with a hospital grade medela. Only got an ounce per side out so can’t be too much milk left.

Bit worried about going back to work now, having come this far I want to keep BFing at least until he’s 6 months. Finding time to pump might be trickier once I’m back.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 18:01

Thanks everyone for such quick responses x

OP posts:

Smurf123 · 14/12/2018 18:10

@Bananabus I went back to work when my son was about 5 months but he and I coped OK with the transition and I'm still bf now at 9 months... Although I don't express he gets formula while I'm at work although he tends to only have one maybe two bottles while in working and holds off (happily though) and then makes up with evening / night feeds.. First couple of weeks at work were hard as I was a bit sore but body soon got used to it

CrazyOldBagLady · 14/12/2018 18:14

Hi OP sounds like everything is under control now, just thought I would suggest you have a look at hand expressing so you know how to do it if you I don't yourself in a similar situation.

Harebellmeadow · 14/12/2018 18:15

I couldnt think of leaving a baby hungry for 8 hours . . I get shudders just thinking about the possibility. Good that you didnt have to do so and hopefully it wont even be an option next time. (Have a 16 wk old here)

Imagine if you were ragingly hungry for 8 hours and the misery of it please please please dont leave your baby hungry for so long.

Verbena87 · 14/12/2018 18:21

When are you back at work? I do 3 days a week and still breastfeeding at 15 months - initially it was tough then he fed more overnight instead (cosleeping makes this bearable!!) and my body adjusted.

If you’re in the U.K. work have to provide you with somewhere to pump - I’ve got a pile of cushions in our big lockable walk-in store cupboard (nicer than the disabled loo!) but rarely need to pump at work unless I do a long day.

Are you in pain? If it doesn’t hurt you’re unlikely to get mastitis, and if you do get it you won’t be in doubt!

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 18:31

hare obviously I didn’t plan to leave my baby hungry for 8 hours, as I’ve said above, he’s always taken a bottle before and there was over 20oz of EBM in the fridge for him

verbena he will be 16 weeks when I’m back. I’m self employed so the breastfeeding rules about workplaces don’t apply to me, unfortunately. I’m a lawyer and it’s the days in court that will be the hardest, as the breaks are infrequent and often you need to work through lunch. Will just have to wait and see how it goes.

OP posts:

PragmaticWench · 14/12/2018 18:31

That's right about work having to provide you with somewhere private to pump. Worth checking now to see if they have a fridge for you to store your pumped milk.

It might also be an idea to offer a bottle once a day rather than once a week, a week is plenty of time for a baby to forget that they'll take a bottle!

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 18:39

I’ve written the breastfeeding policy for my actual office, which includes a private space, washing and sterilising facilities and a fridge. It’s when I’m out of the office that it will be tricky.

OP posts:

holidaylady · 14/12/2018 18:41

Honestly don't worry about bf and going back to work, your body will work it out!
It will take about 3 days to adjust each time the norm is changed.

Do bring a manual pump to work in case you get engorged, but otherwise you will be fine. I've heard of mums who did 3 days a week jobs and their bodies figured it all out, it's amazing.

The milk is ok for 6 hours out of the fridge btw, in case you can express enough to bring home in a flask.

Original poster

Bananabus · 14/12/2018 18:49

Thanks holiday - I’ve invested in a cool bag and ice packs for out and about!

OP posts:

holidaylady · 14/12/2018 19:02

Great idea. Just go with it, your body will figure it out, and so will your baby
Big hugs

Verbena87 · 14/12/2018 22:18

If you end up doing long stretches where you can’t pump, you need to avoid squashing your boobs. Non-wired stretchy bra if possible (or a couple of cup sizes too big if you need wires to look right under your clothes), and not a stiff fitted dress (learnt this the hard way by getting mastitis in a proper bra and tailored pencil dress for 6 hours).

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