Experiences of expressing in work

[Sewing45]

I have just returned to work and DD is 6 months and completely BF. We’ve started wearing but I am struggling to express enough to keep up with her needs. I am only able to feed/express on one side but it has not been an issue until now. My work is very supportive, but I wondered if anyone would like to share their experience of how often they could express in work and if you experienced a drop in supply when you returned to work? I work 9-5 and express around 3 times during the working day, trying to replicate when I would normally feed.

weaning

Mine were older when I returned and I mainly pumped for comfort at first so can’t be of much use sorry. If you’re struggling to keep up with demand though, have you spoken to a BFC on one of the BFing Helplines?

I returned when all my DC were 7 months. With my first, I went back 5 days a week. My routine was: feed one side/express the other just before going to work, feed the other side/express the first on return. This produced two bottles which baby had when I wasn’t there (I was out 8-5.30ish). I did express a little in work for my first but the faff wasn’t really helping it and this routine worked. At weekends and my day off (I was four days a week by the time DC2 was born) I’d express another bottle so there were supplies in the freezer.

my second never took from a bottle really, so his milk went in a sippy cup at 7 months. My third - I can’t remember - may have been sippy cup too.

by 10 months or so they had nothing during the days I wasn’t there. Occasionally Dad (who looked after them between 7-11 months) would pop by the office and I’d feed them during the day

All three were fed to a year (and two of them significantly beyond). However all three were milk monsters when I was available..

good luck working out what works for you. (Sorry have just reread and seen you can only use one side.. I realise this is phenomenally unhelpful…)

I went back at eight months and fed a lot in the morning and the evening, and then pumped 1-2 x in the day. The babies only had 1-2 bottles in the day, even thought I had a stash. I never noticed any supply issue, extended fed both of mine til 16-18 months. I could actually drop the pumping at age one.

i would say I found the fancy electric pumps a bit rubbish. My cousin pumped and told me to get a £25 Medela hand pump, weirdly I found that so much more effective. Could express in under ten mins.

You probably know this already, but what helped me was getting one of those little cool pack bags. I stored the pump and bottles in that with the top open in the medical fridge so it was discreet. I put the pump back in in a sandwich bag and kept it in the fridge, then put it through the dishwasher and sterilised it each evening.

Its hard getting used to it at first but after a couple of weeks it became second nature and very quick

Also do not feel bad about substituting in a formula. One formula in the daytime won’t hurt. Take the pressure off having to express enough milk. Occasionally I was so busy I couldn’t pump at all- sore for me but my supply was still fine

I went back at 5 months. I pump every 2 hours and normally get enough for next day's nursery. I pump a little bit on my days off so there's some in the freezer if I have a bad day.

The most important thing for me was seeing a lactation consultant about pumps. Not all pumps are equal, and not all suit everyone. The biggest thing was getting my nipples measured and using the correct size adaptors. That makes the difference between nothing and 100ml! I also replace the valves fairly regularly to maintain suction. I actually use an old Medela freestyle that I got for €30 second hand and it takes me 8 minutes plus hand washing. I don't wash the pump bits every time, I store them in a box in the fridge.

ETA I'm in a country where most women go back by 6 months, so pumping consultants are easy to find and we get paid pumping leave until 9 months. I'm therefore under a bit less pressure, but we also have more comparison about what is normal.

Thank you all for your perspectives and advice. Much appreciated!