Returning to work and weaning

[MichelleOR84]

I am returning to work next week, full time five days a week. My nearly one year old ( turns one in four days 😭) is currently nursing 3 times a day ( morning , mid afternoon and evening ). When I return to work I will be weaning him off the mid afternoon feed, replacing it with whole milk . I will continue to nurse mornings and evenings as my hours at work allow this .

My question is, on my days off could I still nurse him in the afternoons instead of whole milk? Will my milk supply allow this if I only do this two days a week ?!

I’ve exclusively breastfed ( plus introduced solids at 6 months ) up until now and I have never had issues with supply .

Hi Michelle, I'm basically doing the same and haven't had a supply issue on my days off, but what I find is that sometimes he's not interested as it's harder work and takes longer than drinking from a beaker.

Heya
I would say don’t over think it, it will add to the anxiety of returning to work.
Your milk supply will dwindle as you will be dropping lunch time feed (unless you plan to express at work?) but there is no way of knowing when.
I would personally feed as much as baby wants it when you are with them.

I went back at 12 months & he just fed when I was at home & weekends. Still going now & he's 2.5

At this point you should be able to feed as and when fits in with your routine. It won't be a problem to do an extra feed at the weekends. You might feel very full for a couple of days but that should settle quickly. I returned to work when DD was 8.5m and fed her until nearly 3yrs. I am now feeding DS (just turned 1). When I am at home he usually has two extra feeds compared to when I am at work.

You'll find DS will decide for you and seek out more feeds. You may find he wants more in the night too with you not being there in the day.