Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Breastfeeding and returning to work

10 replies

Onelittleone216 · 06/03/2024 21:41

I will be going back to work when my LO is 11 months old. He is breastfed for all but a bed time bottle with my husband on alternate nights when he does bed time. He is 8.5 months old and not really showing signs of breastfeeding less yet despite eating 3 meals a day and weaning well.
I want to carry on breastfeeding for a while still, including when I go back to work. I’d like to breastfeed in the morning and before bed, but ideally not need to pump at work in the day. I’ll be working 3 days a week. He will take a bottle from others so if he still needs milk he can have formula when I’m working, I would prefer to not give him formula when I’m with him and just breastfeed instead, but not sure how this is actually possible supply wise? Some places online say that my supply can just adapt to feeding in the day time when I’m with him, and then not when I’m not?! Does anyone have experience of this? Do I just need to accept that I’ll be pumping at work?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

thatneverhappened · 06/03/2024 21:47

You won't need to pump unless you choose to initially for comfort- I did for a month when I went back. My supply adjusted just fine and I had enough milk at weekends when I home and she wanted to feed all day. I would expect baby to feed a lot more when you're home, especially at first when they're adapting to being away from you

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 06/03/2024 22:09

By then pumping would be more for your own comfort than supply as your supply will be so well established that even if you did get some reduction, expressing or feeding more would build it back up. It is likely that you would just adapt. Your baby will be fine with food and water when you are out if they don't take expressed milk or you don't want to pump.

Fwiw I retrained when my youngest was just turned 13 months and they never took any expressed milk, just fed when I was at home and didn't when I wasn't. It was a mix of long days at uni when I was out 6am to 5 or 6pm and shift work so 13hr shifts plus commute including night shifts. I only ever pumped after getting home and that was for comfort if the baby was asleep and didn't wake to feed soon after I got home. I feel that child for over 3 years. They just fed lots more when I was around, which did involve a lot of night feeding if I had been out all day I'm afraid!

BendingSpoons · 06/03/2024 22:14

I went back to work when DD was 9m. I never pumped, just fed as soon as I got home. Felt quite full the first day or two but it quickly settled down. I carried on with a daytime feed on my days off.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

6-9 months old 9-12 months old Babies & sleep Breast & bottle feeding

Laura0589 · 06/03/2024 22:24

Your supply adapts at that age, it’s wierd but it really doesn’t matter. Don’t stress it you don’t need to do anything.

Blessedbethefruitz · 06/03/2024 22:25

I returned at 7 months, full time. She's 2 now, still exclusively breastfeeding, no milk of any type from anywhere else... I pumped during the day for a while (hands free electric pumps) but haven't for a very long time now. Supply adjusts. I tried leaving it longer and longer, cut down number of pumps gradually once we hit 12 months only pumping for comfort.

Laura0589 · 06/03/2024 22:39

I was sent this by a lactation consultant when my first was 11months and I was going back to work and I wanted to wean. Hope it helps. I didn’t fully wean until he was 16 months and worked 13 hour shifts 3 times a week. The boobs just adjust I don’t know how! https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/twitter-and-blog/weaning-toddler-bob-and-pre-schooler-billie-how-do-you-stop-breastfeeding-an-older-child

Weaning toddler Bob and pre-schooler Billie: how do you stop breastfeeding an older child? — Emma Pickett IBCLC

Bob is 18 months. He is breastfeeding on demand. This usually means breastfeeding at least 6 times in 24 hours. Billie is 3 years old. She breastfeeds in the morning, at bedtime and usually once during the night. Let’s imagine you are Bob or Billi...

https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/twitter-and-blog/weaning-toddler-bob-and-pre-schooler-billie-how-do-you-stop-breastfeeding-an-older-child

Twolittleloves · 06/03/2024 22:56

I went back go work when my little one was 10mths, she was fine, even though she always refused bottles/formula- she managed with food and water and made up for it when we were together again!
I was working 2.5 days.My supply adjusted fine, although I was certainly ready to feed her when we re-connected!

Bumbleby · 06/03/2024 22:57

Now he is on 3 solid meals, he will not need milk while you are at work, assuming you are 9-5. He can drink water and have his meals, that should meet his nutritional needs. You can feed him when he wakes and after your return from work. If you gradually work on getting into this pattern, before your return to work, it will avoid you feeling uncomfortable or the need to pump

Original poster

Onelittleone216 · 07/03/2024 12:56

Boobs are amazing aren’t they! Reassuring to hear that they really do just adapt. He’s not a great sleeper anyway so fully used to being up feeding overnight, I won’t be expecting that to calm down.

OP posts:

AegonT · 07/03/2024 15:03

I fed my two till 3.5 and 2.5 years going back to work at 7 months and 14 months. You won't need to pump at work. I fed just morning and evening from 12 to 24 months old for both mine then just at bedtime, not even everyday towards to end. Your supply adapts. They probably won't need formula in the day for very long if at all if they are almost 1 and eating well.

Flip