Going back to work and weaning

[LexB]

Help I am panicking about needing to cut down on bf my dd who is 8.5 months in time for my return to work beginning of October when she is 11 months. By then I need to just be feeding first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. So I know that soon I need to start cutting down on bf during the day so that dd has time to get used to it before start of Oct.

I thought that I'd start by giving a cup of formula yesterday mid-morning but it was emotionally difficult when underneath it all I'm quite happy to feed her myself.

So I don't know how I'm going to cope with this. Can I leave it all a bit longer, say 8 weeks before I go back to start dropping the 2 day-time feeds? Am I being daft here - should I just accept that she's growing up and be happy that she'll be moving on to beakers? Perhaps I am thinking more about my own need to bf than dd's needs? Ahhh, I am quite confused - I didn't manage to bf ds1 and dd is going to be my last baby... maybe this is something to do with it. I just feel upset that am going to have to do something that feels unnatural to fit in with work demands. Although I guess that is just life!!! Sorry, this is a long rant, gets it off my chest though!

Why are you introducing formula at all?

Since she will be 11 months when you go back to work, leave everything alone till you go. Feed her as normal when you are at home. Breastfeed her before you go to work and wqhne you come home. At 11 months it could even be feeds when you get home. Water or juice as drinks with solids when you are away is all teh nutition she needs.

LexB - I sympathise completely - I have just been through exactly the same thing and I felt exactly as you describe so it is completely normal.

I had my first day back at work last Wednesday...it went really well and I actually enojyed it!
Like you I am still feeding first thing and last thing. My DS (now 10.5 mnths) has never been bottle fed or had formula other than on his weetabix when first moving him onto solids, and he really isnt interersted in having anything other than water from his spouty cup but he has been doing fine with that.
I was initially worried that he wasnt having enough milk but he eats cheese and has yogurt every day so I think he gets enough calcium and he is happy and healthy which is most important.

My HV suggested dropping 1 feed over 7-10 days, so if you only have 2 feeds to drop you could probably leave it a bit longer yet...it is a heart wrenching thing to do but it just makes the morning and evening feeds so much more special

I found that between 8-10 months DS was able to go for longer and longer between feeds which made droppping feeds feel like quite a natural thing to do.

Don't know how I am ever going to drop the evening feed though....I don't know how else to get him to sleep!!!!

Good luck

My advice - don't try and prepare her her - doesn't work for her or you.

As long as she'll drink from a receptacle - beaker, cup whatever, she'll be fine.

I went back to work when dd was 7 months. Expressed once a day at work until she was 11 months. Tbh I gave up expressing because she really was drinking hardly any ebm when I was absent - was OK on water and food.

She would feed when I was around, and take water/food when I wasn't. You can't recreate not being around, so don't even try. Enjoy your time with your baby. Things have an amazing way of working themselves out when it's a necessity

I agree with mears - just relax about it. I'm going to be in the same predicament in November when dd will be 10 1/2 months and I'll have to return to work (sob!). I'm not going to give ff - she should be able to manage to have a bf in the morning and when I get home. I'm also lucky that I work nearby and could pop home (dh will be house husband) to feed her if needed. If you feel nervous about leaving her in the day without milk - just leave some ebm the first few days just so that you don't worry. I bet she won't want it. Well done for bf'ing for so long! You should be sooooooooo pleased with yourself!!

Phew, thanks for these messages. They have put my mind at rest! Great that I actually don't have to change anything at all!!! Think I will ask work about expressing, just in case I need to do this for a while after I go back. HenryB, glad your return wasn't too traumatic. I found the same when going back last time. I dreaded it but the reality wasn't quite so bad and the joy of having a cup of tea uninterrupted and a lunch break! Congrats to you too Reesie.