Weaning, breastfeeding & returning to work?

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Just a bit confused. DD is 4.5 months but I'm beginning to do some research on BLW for when she's 6 months or so.

So once she's ready to start weaning, when is the best time to breastfeed her - I would guess I would top her up as required after she's had a nibble of food? Do you offer solids at every daytime feed or just 'meal times'?

Now... I'm going back to work (3 days a week) when DD is 9 months. Can she go during the day without breastmilk? Would she be okay with a beaker of water or bottle of formula? I plan to continue breastfeeding in the morning and evening (and on the days I don't work) but it is impossible to express during the day at work. What do other mums do?

Sorry for the stupid questions - first time mum

First time mum doing BLW. I feed her before the meals; trying to have her with me/us for 3 or at least 2 meals.Offer her more milk afterwards- I think the intensity and learning makes DD1 hungry.

DOn' t know if it' s 'right'/But going well thus far.

Goodluck. Great fun!

Disclaimer: I did not do "pure" BLW, more a mixture of purees and fingerfood.

However, IME at 9 months you will be absolutely fine with being at work for a few days a week and your LO going without BM for that period of time. You may need to express at work for your own comfort and you employer is obliged to find space/time for that. That milk could be offered to her via beaker/cup by whoever looks after her.

I went back to work before DS3 was 6/12 old and even that worked just fine - not that I was not totally stressed out about it of course !

Good luck, it'll be fine.

9 month old babies vary in how much milk they want/need. You could send formula or expressed milk in at work - as long as you always breastfeed at home, you should be able to continue feeding as long as you want.

I used to offer food when me & DP ate and continued to breastfeed on demand.

Thanks everyone, feeling a little less stressed out. I don't want to push expressing provision at work as this would be difficult for them to provide, would rather pick my battles and push for my continued reduced hours. Harsh, but true - that's the NHS for you

Obviously do what you are comfortable doing and I know picking my battles has been a good strategy for me too, but: the NHS or rather your trust should sit up and take notice if you are asking for space and time to express.... There was a recent much publicised case based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley were a doctor was expressing in toilet cubicles initially. I think with help from the BMA better facilities were found for her. I'll see if I can dig up details.
All I know is I had to express initially to avoid problems with engorgement and blocked ducts (which I am quite prone to).

OP - returned to work when DS2 was 7 months . He has formula - and lots of food - during the day and bfs morning and night time. If your DC doesnt like formula, water and yoghurt is a good substitute - they'll just bf more when you're around.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll stop worrying about it and hope she gets on with a cup. Don't really want to do bottles and formula just because I can't be bothered with the faff, but good to know other BF babies have happily taken it.

I expect I'll also be expressing in a bathroom but will ask my boss to find out if any other departments have somewhere I could go.

Hi purple. Ditto NHS issue...I can only imagine the response if I asked for time/place to express. Inconvenient enough when you dare to get pregnant.

DD1 is nearly 6mo, ,now mixed feeding her, and down to 2 bf a day.Hoping to quit bf completely before return to work in 6 weeks.

Bottles really not that much of a faff and she has been fine taking formula.

BLW going well. I started offering her bit earlier than recommended and nursery fine with it.

Going back full time...no idea how I will get us all out the house on time but that' s the next callenge.