expressing at work, worried there won't be enough milk

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I'm back at work this coming Thursday. Had been building up my supply of ebm in freezer... but then discovered thrush and had it for a long while... was told I had to throw away all frozen milk from when I had thrush (or suspected it) because you can't freeze milk with thrush... Anyway, was heartbreaking throwing all of that away But was left with 5 measly bags! I can't express enough at once at the moment. Only an oz or 2 at a time. Going to try eating oatmeal for every single meal tomorrow and see if that helps. I do not want my 9 week old ds to have formula while away from me. I will express at work, but have noticed that I get much more milk first thing in the morning... hardly anything midday. I am so worried I won't have enough for him. Ithink he'll need 4-5 bags of 120ml ebm for while I'm away (8am-4pm). I will be able to do a midday feed on some days.
Any advice on how to express MORE milk, greatly appreciated!! And not just in the morning or in the night. I need to get some while I'm at work. It's hard to get it in the morning/at night because ds likes to have that milk

If DS is only 9 weeks, are you still establishing your supply? How often does he usually eat during the day? Just curious - I leave DD (10.5 months) at nursery with just 2 bottles of 120 - 150 ml each - I feed her just before I go at 7:30am and then as soon as we get home at 4:30 (she has the two full feeds in the 8 hours we're apart...) Also, I find that expressing while feeding her the 4:30 feed - she's on left, pump's on the right - REALLY helps the let-down and I can get out 8 - 9 oz in the one go. That being said, she also eats a LOT in the evening and through the night to catch up. I think key is getting your body used to making milk at certain times every day - ie, I always try to express at 1pm and at 4:30 and I think my milk supply has caught up with that demand if that makes sense?

another thought - are you using a manual or electric pump?

but if he's looking hungry while I'm away and I've only left 2 bottles... he will surely have to be fed formula, right? How do I make it so he eats less while he's away from me?

www.theworkingcow.com is also good.

I would try to express 2 oz from one breast each time you feed your baby off the other side during his day feeds between now and Thursday, and you will have enough for Thurs and Friday. Let him feed on the side you've expressed on when he's finished his original side, he'll still get some out, even if its stopped flowing into the pump. Your supply will quickly increase. You can keep this milk fresh in the fridge over this time period, or freeze if you prefer. At work on Thursday after a few hours without feeding, you should be able express a good amount each time you're able to have an expressing break. You will probably feel your milk start to come in at your usual feed time, and that would be a good time to express. If you feed just before leave and feed as soon as you arrive at childcare, that's also 2 feeds less you need to leave.
If you can, make your first day back a short one. They should understand the need to stagger to ease both of you into the separation slowly. I didn't ask, just informed my boss that I would work until 2.30 the first week, and still took my expressing breaks. I was quite nervous and felt cheeky but luckily they were fine!

thanks apostrophe and maygirl. Very helpful! lol at "working cow" title!
Maybe he won't eat as much without me. My best friend is looking after him while I'm at work - I'm a teacher. I might get to do some luchtime feeds as well, so that might help. she lives very near the school.
So that means hours are short, but not flexible... someone has to be with the kiddos (they are 6-7 yrs old). I'll feed just before she picks him up and right when I pick him up and chat with her about only giving him what he wants and not encouraging him to eat loads.

apostrophe - was that 8-9 oz per breast or from both together?

lol at that nork image thanks apostrophe! Was starting to feel like I produce very little milk as I just had no idea what a "normal" person produces. I don't have large breasts, unfortunately.
I've been eating oatmeal all day and pumping while he is on the other breast and get a max of 2 oz per breast. I guess if I could get 4oz total when double pumping at work, that would make me feel like I'm pumping what he eats...
I got the "breastflow" bottle today and DH fed him from that a bit of ebm while I double pumped just now and it went well. He had to work harder to get the milk out, so not as much wasted and he didn't take as much as he usually would from a bottle either. Hated to waste ebm at home, but needed the reassurance of the new bottle and what he will take. I know it will be different during the day.

I used this bottle, and found it good, no nipple confusion. Have small boobs too, so was probably similar for him! Good luck tomorrow!

Um, no I don't have "norks the size of Cornwall", but yeah - the 8 or 9 oz is off one breast. Granted it'll have been 7 -10 hours since I last fed off that breast. Oh dear god - I'm truly a dairy cow, aren't I?!?

DD is 10 months now and BIG - so maybe my norks are just well practiced? She feeds on demand round the clock...ach, I'm just a freak of nature apparently. Actually - it has to be the timing bevause looking back I think when DD was 9 weeks I was only expressing 3 - 4 oz off each breast.

Hope all goes well for you - the two key things for me when expressing are trying to be as relaxed as possible and staring at pics of DD - I usually scroll through the pics on my mobile - always makes me smile.

Let us know how you get on

pumping porn (aka baby magasines) in your desk draw-never never try and read emails or work when expressing. lots of skin to skin and regular feeding at other times, it will work out but will be HARD

also get baby used to drinking cold milk as then is less wastage as don't have to throw it away if doesn't take it right away. Ours fed with ice still in it! started as one day dh didn't have time to finish defrosting and she took it!