Going back to work and expressing - is it feasible?

[knickerelasticjones]

Hi all

Looking for a little advice here - especially from any BFing counsellors who might be floating around...

I'm going back to work at the end of January when DD2 will be nearly 6 months. She is exclusively BF'd at the moment and I would like to continue BFing her as long as possible.

I work two days a week (mon / tues) but the problem is my shifts are very long hours. On an early shift I will be away from her from 3.30am - 2.30pm approx. On a late shift I'll be away from 11.30 am until midnight. (The shifts change from week to week) So depending on her waking time I could go for nearly an entire day without actually feeding her, but just expressing milk. (And bless my DH who has to deal with two DDs all on his own because of these crazy hours!)

Obviously I plan to express at work, but I'm just concerned that the long hours away may play havoc with my milk supply and I then might have problems feeding her the other 5 days of the week when I'm at home.

Also - I'd really appreciate any advice on what breast pump to get for maximum efficieny. I've already got a manual avent one, but given the time pressures I'm wondering whether I should invest in a full scale double electric pump.

Sorry that's such a big ramble - but any help / advice / wise words would be greatly appreciated

thanks!

Here is the advice from LLL (via LL)

Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool milk in refrigerator before adding to frozen milk.

Human milk can be stored

at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks
in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

I'd thought it was about a week - but didn't want to say that in case I had remembered wrong!

Thats brilliant, thank you all for your help, I feel much happier now knowing I'm not going to be bumping off my DD with my milk