returning to work and cutting out a feed

[arolf]

I'm going back to work in 2 weeks and will be leaving DS with a childminder from ~8.30-3 every day. he'll be 7 months old, and currently tends to feed at roughly 6 am, 8 am, 11.30am, 3pm, 7pm, 9pm, and then a couple of times during the night. he also has 2-3 meals a day, but BLW, so it's not a set amount.

I really don't want to express if I can help it - I've compressed my work hours enough as it is, without having to take time out to express in the middle of the day - but I'm worried that a) I'll get mastitis again if I drop that morning feed, and b) my supply will totally drop if I lose 1 feed.

has anyone been there/done that, and if so, what did you do? if I have to express, I will, but I'm happy with him having formula once a day! just don't want to stop bfing altogether.

Hi Arolf, I went back to work when DS was 8 months, so a little older than yours but not much. I found that my supply was absolutely fine, it adjusted to the change in feedings just as it did when the amount of milk he was taking when we started weaning altered gradually.
I fed in the morning, loved that morning cuddley time, and again as soon as I picked him up, then before bed as usual. I don't think DS was feeding in the night at that stage. Childminder used formula for "morning tea", and "afternoon tea" feeds, and I think we'd introduced a sippy/doidy etc so he had water from that too (sorry, can't remember precisely). I didn't express, and I just made sure I wore breastpad for the first few weeks just in case of any leakage, but actually I don't think there was any.
As I say, I think your supply is robust enough at this stage to cope with the changes.
I think the only thing you might need to discuss with CM is what to do if your DS seems to be getting hungry for a feed close to pick-up time. If you definitely want to do that feed when he gets home, you may need to specify a 'no formula after X time', or just be prepared for occasionally picking up a full baby!

I noticed a big difference in the milk/food ratio of DS at 7 months compared to 9 months. I went back to work when DS was 9 months, he was at nursery 8.30 - 6ish and by that time was down to 4 feeds a day (roughly).

So, I don't think there will be a problem at all, but if things are at all difficult to start with, don't worry they will get better very quickly. Is your DS happy to take bottles/formula? Mine has never really liked either, so despite me expressing so he could have his 1 bottle a day at nursery, he very rarely took it, prefering water instead.

I am sure your DS will be fine and even if he doesn't drink milk when he is away from you, you are going to be with him for enough time for him to 'fill up' at other times.

With regards to you and mastitis etc, well I am no expert but my body adjusted pretty quickly. Are you working 5 days a week? Perhaps try to start on a Wed/Thurs so you don't have a full week at first, so you can see how 'full' you get, and whether you need to express a tiny bit for comfort at first? I always take about 4-5 days to adjust to any new feeding pattern.

Hope it all goes well

thanks, i'm working 5 days a week, 3 hours a day the first week, 4 the 2nd and then my full 5.5 hrs from then on. I'm just starting to dread it!! DS will drink/eat anything, he's a total gannet, to I'm not worried by bottles + formula!

That looks like a good way to ease into it, Arolf. It is (yet another) adjustment to make, and I did feel a bit like it happens just as you're starting to feel like you know what you're doing in the 'mother' role, you have to work out how to dothe 'working mother' role.
BUT, I did find that there were positives along with all my projected negatives.

• having a chance to do something for a concentrated period of time without interruption
• finishing a cup of coffee before it got cold
• really appreciating the time I have with DS
• regaining a real sense of 'balance' between work and home
• appreciating the other working parents in our workplace (I don't think I was really aware of how many there are!)
• income, benefits, more future maternity leaves
• social life that I can take or leave

I know these things might seem trivial but I did find they were important for making the transition.

If you're happy with the childcare you've sorted out that makes it much easier too. Your DS will probably settle fairly easily - good luck with it!