I don't want to mix feed

[Stefka]

I am worrying about this far too early but want to post anyway.

I am hoping to go back to work in August - my DS will be ten months. I am BF and want to keep doing so - hopefully for as long as DS wants to. I was speaking to someone who went back to work and she said she had to mix feed and gave me her left over packets of formula.

I had a terrible time getting BF sorted - weeks of pain and infections. I really don't want to give my baby formula. I know that if I do go back to work that my job will be really full on.

How much milk does a baby need at ten months? Am I being unrealistic about being able to over breast milk exclusively and work full time?

Hi Stefka, I don't know the answer as my ds is only 4mo, but I'm also planning to go back to work when he's around 10mo and would also like to continue bf, so am bumping this in the hope someone can help us

If he's going to be 10m I think I would go straight to cow's milk

can't you feed him in the morning, when you get home and at bedtime? That should be fine at 10 months?

There are people on MN who've gone back at that point and their DC has just had water during the day and made up for it with increased bf in the morning/evening/night.

Alternatively, you can start working on pumping and freezing a stash now so that he can have EBM.

SORRY, TO CLARIFY!!!

To go onto cow's milk instead of formula... NOT to give up BF!

(i.e, replace BF 'lost' at work with milk)

Stefka, I went back to work when ds1 and ds2 were 4 months old and when ds3 was 6 months old. I expressed once a day when away from ds1 and twice a day when I was away from ds2 and ds3. Ds1 got one bottle of formula a day, ds2 and ds3 got none. Expressing for ds3 was done in 2 15 minute sessions with a double electric pump.
It really depends on the baby. Some at that age, don't drink any milk at all during the day, some need their 2-3 bottles of breastmilk! You would have a better idea when your ds is closer to that age. If you are in the UK, there are guidelines for employers as to what they should provide, basically a private place with a lock and a fridge.

I agree it depends on the baby. With my ds1 I went back to work when he was 10m and by that stage he was only demanding a feed morning and evening before bed so it was fine. He was happy with his 3 meals a day and water from a cup by that stage. It is doable at that age I think to still keep bf - I just let him decide and he finally gave up at a year.

You'll be fine Stefka.
My babies were fine all day without a b/feed at this age-no formula or EBM even, just water or juice.I was working f/t but we carried on for ages-feeding am and pm in the week and whenever they felt like it at the w/end and holiday.

No need to mix feed imo. My dd just stocked up when she saw me and ate solid food during day.

Great news - thanks I wasn't sure how much breast milk they need at that age but if I can feed him on demand when I am there and give him water when I am not then that's very good news