Expressed milk and nursery

[MostHighlyFlavoredGravy]

My maternity leave ends in a few weeks and DC2 will be 9 months. Nursery will be 4 days per week, for a full day. I'm breastfeeding and planning on expressing until he's able to have cows' milk from 12 months (to the extent still needed at that point). DC1 started nursery at age 1 so I didn't have to consider this last time!

If you sent your DC to nursery with expressed milk, how much did you send them in with per day at this age? Did they need more or less than they would typically have at home? I know all babies are different but I'd like to get an idea of how much expressing I will need to do so that I can get into a routine between now and then (I'm planning on expressing every day so will have a stash in the freezer).

If anyone is able to share their experience that would be very helpful. TIA.

My little one is 10 months and also starting soon. I decided I don’t have time for so much pumping so intended to use formula instead. Have had a few KIT days where family have had him and despite previously drinking formula, he’s had hardly any. He eats a lot of solids and seems to be ok without milk when away from me. You may find yours is the same and you need to send less than you expect! I asked about this at an NCT breastfeeding group too and she said babies at this age often don’t feed away from mum. Yours is a little younger so may still need some but you may find within a month or two he’s ok with none.

Slightly older but when my DD started nursery at 10months I didn't send her with any milk at all. She had taken to solid food fairly well, and still bf morning and night. From 9 months old I started reducing day feeds so I was confident she would be ok without milk during nursery hours. Planning to do the same with my second baby.

Same, mine wasn't drinking much at nursery so I soon stopped pumping during the day and sent 2 bottles of premade formula instead. He barely gets through that by the time he's had 3 meals and snacks and been offered water. He feeds before, after, and at least once at night

Both of mine started at ten months and I didn't send any expressed milk. I think I sent formula with the eldest but she never took it and I didn't bother with youngest.

Hi!

Due to being self employed mine both went to nursery at 4 months but EBF to 1.

Their nursery was brilliant and they used to keep frozen milk in the freezer so at 9 months (both eating solids very well) I would send one bottle of fresh/defrosted and they always had a couple of bags in the freezer so if they were unsettled or particularly hungry etc they had some.

By 9/10 months they are able to get by on solids and water in the day though you may cop for some reverse cycling at night!

Thank you everyone for your replies, all sounds very reassuring! DC is still not eating huge amounts of solids but that should change in the next few weeks 🙏. It sounds as though by 9 months he won't need much additional milk during the day though, which is useful to know. He will still have a feed first thing and before bed as well as the many many overnight feeds. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.