Lots of silly questions about managing breast feeds when I go back to work

[MamaChris]

ds currently 9.5mo, and I go back to work when he's 11mo. He is bf around 9am (before nap) and 3pm (after nap), 6.30pm (before bed), 10pm, 1am, 4am then pretty much stays on the breast till 6am.

When I go back to work (out from 8.30-5.30, possibly able to come home lunchtime some days), will he be able to go all day without a feed? Will my supply keep up if I'm only feeding him morning and night? Should I substitute formula in the day (can't express much these days, but he's also never accepted a bottle and still not great with a cup)? Should I try changing his routine slowly from a couple of weeks earlier, or will it be more confusing for him to have me there but not bf-ing?

So many silly questions, but thanks for any tips

I went back to work with DD2 at 6 months (she's 9 months now). I'm still feeding morning, evening & dream feed & supply is fine. Best tip is to start weaning of the daytime feeds slowly (dropping one feed every 5 days or so) & substituting with formula.
I also had a problem where DD2 didn't want the bottle but nursery staff seem to have no problems so I just had to go with some very milky spoonfeeds of cereal to keep up the fluids but was very frustrating. Can you get anyone else to bottlefeeds in the daytime? Good luck

It'll be much easier to express when you are expressing instead of a feed, rather than in addition to it. However, he'll be fine with solids and water in the day and you the rest of the time. If you are pt, then your supply will cope with no feeds a couple of days a week. But expressing breaks make a great excuse for a peaceful sit down and relax - I missed them when I stopped expressing at work (I expressed for a year)

I'd concentrate on water in a cup at the moment so that you know that he'll get enough fluids.

At this stage supply can regulate itself in remarkable ways. I used to feed more on the weekends than the weekdays and my body seemed to cope fine.

DS just used to have solids (and the odd sip of water) during the day and was fine. After a week or so I wasnt over full during the day either.

He did use to want to feed before we went home from nursery though - spent a lot of time sitting in the car feeding him!

I went back to work when DD was almost 10 mo and BF. I started off expressing and sending about 20z of EBM to nursery with her. She only ever drank about 1/2 oz to 1oz so it really wasn't worth it.

She has never had formula but was having water in a cup at nursery, and solid food.

I BF her at nursery when we arrive then she feeds on and off all evening (and several times at night ) She is 19 mo and still BF.

thanks all - sounds like I will be able to continue feeding just when we're together, which is great news though I am hoping ds will soon start to feed a little less often through the night...