Breastfeeding my 1 year old on return to work

[RainingCatsandDogs]

Not sure if I want to carry on breastfeeding much longer ( 1year was my original plan) but ds certainly does. I've had comments recently of how long am I going to carry on - not very positive - and do feel more social difficulty in feeding a toddler as against a baby in public.

I return to work next month(3 days) and at the moment ds feeds 5am and 3 or 4 times in the day. Will I be engorged if I feed him when not working or should I try to cut down the day feeds?

I basically feed him when he wants during the day and some of this may be a comforter to him.I'm worried when I go back he may find the lack of the comforting breastfeeding upsetting in addition to not having me there.He seems to have been breastfeeding more recently rather than less and is quite clear he wants a breastfeed and not a snack.I haven't left him more than a couple of hours since he was born but have some trial days coming up.

I'm basically unsure whether now is the time to reduce feeds and if so how to go about it or to let ds self wean and if so if this is compatible with working and how long this is likely to be.

You won't necessarily get engorged - if you get uncomfortable you could express som e milk off but it is most likely you will find it manageable.

When I returned to work I breastfed at home as normal and when babies were about this age I did not need to express at work.

He is getting older now and will be able to be distracted at home by who ever is looking after him. You might find that he loses interest in breastfeeding or infact seeks more feeds when you are at home.

I think you just have to wait and see. I wouldn't alter anything deliberately in advance.

My last 2 babies self weaned at 14 and 15 months respectively despite breastfeeding frequently during the day at a year. Tried esperately to get my last baby to continue but she wouldn't have it!

Thankyou.

I feel reasurred.Going to keep feeding at the moment.

Don't think I'll have the time to express at work(half an hour lunch only) so I'll see how the trial days go.

rAINING,YOU SHOULD BE FINE.bY 8 MTHS,MY BABY COULD GO ALL DAY WITHOUT ANY BREASTMILK ,ebm OR FORMULA,JUST HAD WATER.I was working f/t and we breastfed for 2 1/2 years.