I need help with mixed feeding

[Cantspellmynameright]

I have just got a job and start on Wednesday. Whilst childcare is covered I am really struggling with DS (8 months old) and how to cover his feeding. I will be working 3 days a week 8.30 to 6pm. DS is currently OD BF but I have been getting him on to more of a 'rountine' over the last week, encouraging him to take a little more at regular intervals rather than snacking on and off all day. This is going well and he is now feeding at 6am, 10am, 2/3pm and 7pm with one night feed.

My problem is that despite trying expressing by hand, hand pump and electric pump over the last week I am unable to express more than an oz or half oz at a time. I have tried different times of day and before/during/after a feed. I had the same problem with DD and couldn't express with her at all.

I am now resigned to mixed feeding with formula during the day when I am at work and bf all other times. I would prefer him to have breastmilk all the time but don't want him going hungry as I can't express enough to provide for the time I am away from him (and feeling bad enough about that!).

I need some reccomendations on which formula to give - he has some eczema but is fine with cheese/yogurts so I'm not worried about cows milk so much. Also how much should I make up? I have no idea how much he takes at one feed (other than one boob full!) so what do most babies take at 8 months? Also can I make up the 2 bottles in the morning?

Sorry for the rambling, I'm having to start much sooner than expected so having to organise lots all at once!

Thanks in advance...

I meant to add that he is also having breakfast lunch and dinner!

Does he eat quite well and drink water in a cup?

If so ,there's every chance he can just feed before and after work at this age. I would express for comfort while at work but not feel obliged to produce a full feed for him, IYKWIM.

But if you want to offer formula I would probably plan for about a 7oz feed and adjust it if neccessary, will he take a bottle at the moment/does he like formula?

Current guidelines are to make the formula when you need it to reduce the risk of bacteria growing in it. But if he is going to CM/nursery you could make them that morning or send cartons of ready to feed milk.

All brands are much the same really, just try one you like the look of and see if he will drink it

He eats very well! He will have a sippy cup and I think some of the water goes in when it's not being spat out everywhere!

He does seem to need his milk on top of snacks at the moment si I think I'd prefer to offer formula rather than water/nothing.

Thanks for you reply

DS was a bit older when I went back to work but still feeding as often as yours. I needed to express while at work for the first couple of weeks as I got uncomfortable but found I adjusted after a week or two. DS still feeds in night, late morning, mid afternoon and bedtime when I am at home but is quite happy with (lots of) food and water when I am not here.milk preparation guidelines here

hth

That's great thank you!

If it's any consolation, I had the same problem - not being able to express enough - when I went back to work. DS was just 4 months. I felt abysmal about it but had to give in and give him formula. Result: one immensely happy baby! He seemed to get much more out of the formula than he had my breast milk, put on more weight (in a good way) and slept better at night. He's a fit and healthy 2.5 yr old now.
So don't feel too bad...

it took me 3 weeks of expressing to get up to 3oz and 6 weeks to get up to 7oz expressing 4 times a day, (7am, 12pm at work, 6pm and 11pm) so if u really want to continue with breast milk it will take you several weeks to produce enough. if ur willing to persevere, u could give formula in the meantime until ur expressing enough or give formula plus however much u can express- even a small amount of breastmilk has antibodies etc in it.

Don't feel bad if u need to feed just formula tho, you've done great to get this far!

Been to work 2 days this week, he's had a waking feed, breakfast, then a top up before I leave the house. He has snack, lunch, then another snack with water offered frequently. When I get in he has dinner then his bedtime feed and one in the night AND he's happy!!

So glad not to be needing the formula He's happy, I'm happy and I am safe in the knowledge that he can go without his 'snack' milk now - he hasn't even looked for it when I've been home with him!

Thank you all for your help