Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work

I pumped at work for my 3 kids. I tried to pump based on their eating habits but the only problem is that I would get so busy at work that I wasn't able to keep on schedule, but do the best that you can. My doctor didn't ok mixing cereal until my kids were 4 months old but I had stockpiled some milk prior going back to work so that also helped.

It helped my transition by pumping at work but then breastfeeding when I was home so that I could keep feeding my babies nutritiously. I wish I could have kept it up longer (I stopped at 4-5 months). Enjoy it while you can! I love that closely with them, especially at their night feedings.

Good Luck! My kids are now 12 yrs (girl), 9 yrs (boy) and 6 yrs (girl) and I can't believe how fast they've grown.

N.:
Hello. When I returned to work my daughter was only 2 months old, but she was on an every 3-4 hour schedule by then. It will be a lot on you if you have to pump every 2 hours. I pumped twice while at work, and this was doable - I think anything more than this will become hard on you both in terms of productivity and you'll get tired of doing it.

You might find that even though he takes the bottle every 2 hours, he's not really drinking that much at a time, hence you can still pump every 3-4 hours while at work, and actually produce enough to satisfy his eating habits of every 2 hours. I found that as long as I kept to my schedule of pumping at about the same time every day, my milk flow didn't change. Once in a while when I ran over (due tp a meeting or something), I would have a lot of milk built up that made up for being late to pump. Some mothers supplement with formula, but still pump every 3-4 hours while at work. This might be worth trying as a last resort if you think you're not making enough breast milk pumping.

I wouldn't start cereal yet because even 4 months is still early (ideally 6 months is best). I have a feeling you'll find that you'll produce enough milk pumping every 3-4 hours so that he'll still be able to eat every 2 hours.

I hope this helps.

Take Care, R.

I was unable to get anything when I pumped so what I used to do was go at lunch time & nurse my daughter & then she would have formula twice a day while she was at daycare. I also nursed her before we left in the morning & then when we got to daycare I topped her off & when I got there to pick her I would normally nurse her before we left or I would do it as soon as we walked through the door at home. Sorry I really wasn't able to help you with your question but I though I would suggest going at lunch time to nurse him.

You should talk to a lactation consultant.
I don't know where you are located but if you are near DC then the Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington has a Going Back to Work Class you might find helpful.
I took the class even though I didn't end up going back to work and it was very informative. The BCGW also has free info classes for babies 0 - 4 mo once a week where you could ask those questions. One thing I do remember is talking about is when to give babies solids (and cereal is a solid). The recommendation is to not give infants any solids until at least 6 months of age. You might find this website helpful: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html
or check out the WHO page on breastfeeding.
In the end, though, you have to do what is right for your family. Good luck!
~M.

Well N., I did it twice. Try and go 3 hours if you can use your break to pump and then just before you get done with lunch. Tell whoever is watching the baby to not feed them just before you get home that way you and the baby are both ready. If the baby can't wait have the sitter just give them half of what you normally would. then you can try and get the baby to nurse when you do get home. Do NOt panic if the baby does not want to nurse from you when you get home or if the baby can't wait. Just pump and then follow with the same routine you would if you had been home all day. The more you pump the more you will produce. What always happened to me was that I would get home baby was not hungry. I would go pump and then the baby would be hungry so I would try to nurse. The baby was normally not as hungry as I thought and just wanted to be close to me, but sometimes they were and I would just feed them from a bottle. The next feeding went fine after that. With my first one I stressed out so much on the breastfeeding that I was a nervous wreck, don't do that. It all comes and the most important thing besides the nutrition is the fact that you have that 1 on 1 time with the child after having been at work all day. Nighttime feedings were my favorite time of the day when I went back to work.

Advise on pumping at work, if you cannot take the full 15-20 mins to pump at work pump enough to relieve the pressure at least 10 mins, and then pump the full amount plus 5 mins more at your lunch. Relax at work when you pump. Try not to feel rushed when you are pumping even if you are. Take deep breaths, think about the child and all the good they are getting and if you can take a magazine with you, not work, to look at. Do something that you like while you are pumping. I hope this helps and good luck to you. N.

I pumped at work til he was one and then I just breastfed at night. I went back to work full time when he was 6 weeks old. I had the Medala Pump in Style and it was great. I nursed right before I left, pumped about 10:30ish, nursed him at lunch or pumped at lunch, pumped around 2:30ish and then nursed him as soon as I got home. Occassionally we had to supplement with formula because he got so hungry during the day, usually when he had growing spurts, sometimes but I never ran out of the freebies/samples the dr's office gave us or the hospital or the formula companies. This way kept up my milk supply til he was about 7 months old and we started on cereals. Good luck.

There are studies that show giving a baby cereal before 3 months old may contribute to the onset of diabetes. I wouldn't chance that. I went back to work when my daughter was 7 weeks old. I pumped every 3 hours. When I tried pumping more often, at the end of the day, I had the same amount of milk. You can experiment for yourself and see what happens. Used to pump at 9am, 12 noon and 3pm then I'd be home for her evening feedings. It worked great for me. I made sure to really stop what I was doing, drink water, relax and look at pictures of my daughter. It was my time during work hours just for her. My daughter got breast milk until she was a year old (I never had to supplement) and it was so worth all the effort!

I'm now a stay at home mom and I nurse my 5 month old who requires supplement formula! Who woulda guessed??!! Funny how life works sometimes!

I pumped 3x a day when I went back. I had extra stored if I ever got low, I always nursed her at home. I got 20-25 OZ a day. That first morning pump is so important, its when you have the most milk. Just keep your supply up and try not to overtire yourself, keep in contact with a lactation consultant for any issues. I would definitely use the double pump to save time. I just stored the milk in a lunchbox with icepacks. It's a big committment but so worth it! You can do it with the right support and equipment.

Hi N.,

Yes, continue to pump your breast as if the baby is still feeding. He is in a growth spurt so he will need to eat often. I don't believe the Doctor will order food so early. The longer thee baby is fed on breast milk alone. the healthier he will be. Now-a-days mothers are introducing foods early and we are seeing an increase in obesity in children.

Hi again, there is a web address for Le Leche League at

www.lllvawv.org/tidewater.html for contact information in the various cities in the Tidewater area. Hope this helps. D.
Have you contacted the La leche League. They are breast feeding authorities. I need to find out what the contact number is myself so I can give it to young mothers like yourself who don't realize the importance of breast milk for their babies.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

D.

Yes, you should pump as often as he eats (every few hours) while you're at work. That will ensure you keep producing enough milk. Keep the milk in the fridge and bottle it for daycare the next day. Continue to breastfeed when you're home. As he starts eating less often, pump less often. The doc will probably not recommend adding cereal to his milk at 2 months (3 months is the earliest I've heard endorsed by a pediatrician). To help make sure your son will not get hooked on the bottle, try nipples that are designed for nursing moms and start with the small size/flow. When my son went to daycare, he got hooked on bottles because the nipples had a faster flow than my breasts - so I had to pump and feed him EVERY time because he stopped nursing completely at 4 months.

Hi N.,

My youngest son was completely breastfed until he grew teeth (4 months) andthen I began adding cereal to his milk. I continued to breast feed until he was 1 years of age. Pumping at work is important because it keeps the supply going or unless you are trying to dry out. The more you pump, the faster the milk comes and the more you produce.)But even then invest some breast pads and bring an extra shirt. I remember returning to work and pumping every 2 and 1/2 hours at work. I just excused myself to the restroom, stopped by my locker and picked up my purse/freezer bag and returned it to my locker with 1-2 bottles of milk two-three times a day. These were my bathroom breaks. It took no more than 15 minutes. ( So when I got home from work, I breastfed him and placed the bottles that I had pumped while at work, in the freezer for the next day. In addition, I pumped milk before leaving for work. My then husband, would feed him
during the day.
At night time, my son slept with me so that my sleep wouldn't be to broken. You develop a routine and it gets easy.

Hi N. - I hope that your first day back goes okay. Remember to take it slow and know that your little one will thrive while you are away.

As far as the pumping is concerned you didn't say how much your little one is eating when he does eat - that should be your barometer for how much to pump during the day. If he is taking in a small amount then see if you can pump enough in one sitting to cover two feedings. If he is eating a lot during those times then you'll need to get your milk up to cover the feedings during the day - so maybe this weekend you could pump after each feeding. It is also good to try to get a small reserve going so if you miss a pumping session you have the milk to cover it. I hope that your employer is an understanding one while you try to accommodate pumping. I would stay away from the cereal for now as breast milk is best-especially since he is still little - but I'm not a doctor :) I hope this helped.

As far as nursing at home - just try to time your pumping around when he would normally eat so that when he is ready for dinner your body is ready to provide it. Cheers, T.

Yes, you will have to pump while at work. The first day pump every 2-2 1/2 hours. After the first couple of days try to stretch the times you pump a little longer. It will take a week or so to figure out what works for you and how much your breasts can take. Sorry sweetie, but your cereal thought I'm afraid is not going to happen till 4 months. I have three kids and not one of my Ped doctors has ever suggested or recommended cereal that young. Its not good for their tummy :( I hope everything goes well at his 2month check up :)

You are already doing a great job! Some moms don't even want to try to breastfeed. Pumping at work can be trying! Do the best you can to pump when you can while working. Your baby may still be eating so often because his tummy is still small and can't hold anymore. Cereal given too early can cause other problems. That may not be the best idea. Keep pumping to get a good suppply. As long as you are ahead a day you should be fine. You don't need to tax your body too much by being weeks ahead with your milk supply. It will be an ajustment. Take a picture of your little guy to work with you and look at it when you are pumping. Keep up the good work!

Hi N., I breast feed my daughter for about 3 months(she is now 5 years old)however, I just pumped because she would not latch on. I don't think the doctor is going to suggest that you start supplementing with formula because(it's to early) your precious one is only a couple of months old. My doctor to me that when you start the baby on cereal to early they are more proned to developed allegeries. So, I would just encourage you to pump during that time BUT, I am not a doctor so just talk with your doctor and see what she(he) says.

Blessings,
S.

With my son, I did pump twice a day until he was three months. This was enough to make 3 4-ounce bottles which got him through the day at "schoool." Then I started to pump once a day at work. This made 2 4-ounce bottles. His third bottle at school was formula. This worked great for me. I still had enough milk on weekends to nurse exclusively. When he was 9 months, I stopped pumping at work but still nursed at home until 12-13 months. Some people worry about losing their milk supply if they supplement. This was not a problem with me but you may want to talk to your doctor. You child may want more or less than mine did--I only have one so I have no comparison. :) It did take awhile to convince my son to take a bottle. Warm milk was important. Good luck! You will find what works best for you! I felt good about supplementing with formula a bit since I thought if I was lacking in a certain nutrient, then the formula might even everything out.

How often you pump really depends on the length of your shifts. also, if you don't have a supply of frozen breastmilk going in your freezer it is a good idea to start. if you are going to begin pumping prior to starting work add a breastpumping session in the morning between feedings. your milk supply will gradually increase. try to pump or breastfeed in the morning before you leave for work and in the evening when you get home. a lot of babies will make up for the time apart by nursing more frequently when you get home. there are also a few local hospitals in the area which offer free advice from lactation consultants. they are a great resource. good luck. I hope everything goes well with your return to work.

You will probably need to pump every three to four hours, since you are pumping on "both sides" you won't need to do it as often as your son nurses. I would NOT put him on cereal or any solids for a few more months, they're digestive systems aren't ready for it yet. Wait until you see some teeth, that's a sign they're ready. And when it is time, why not feed them something with a little more nutrition than cereal? try yams, squash, pears etc.There's a good book on feeding babies called "super baby Foods" that has great ideas.
I pumped too when I went back to work and it is a committment to keep it up, but worth the effort.
Good luck

N., I would pump at work as needed. at least twice during the day. save the milk and let sitter use the next day. your supply will adjust. if it decreases a little during the day it will still be there when baby needs at other times during the day.
as cereal may extend feeding during the day, baby will do just fine with plenty of brestmilk for first 4-6 months. less chances for food allergey to develope.
also, it may be till 4 months when baby will sleep 6 hours through the night.
through it all--your milk is the best and future benefits for babay out weight the bumpy road you have at first.
good luck.
Mommy of 3
S.

Yes you should, your breasts are used to it so if you go beyond that they will get very full and extremely painful. Not easy to work like that. Besides, he'll need this breast milk during the day anyway. You should not give him cereal at this point, his body is too little and not able to digest it easily and comfortably yet. Good luck!

Pump every 3 hours. You will see that usually you have quite a bit. Anytime you can pump at home do so as well and freeze as much as you can. After breastfeeding at home I would get the baby to sleep and then pump to get anything else I could so I would have plenty. Pumping at work is hard. Definitely schedule your time to do it and stick with it for as long as you can. I have pumped at work for two babies at two different job sites. Hopefully you have facilities to pump that make it convenient. My first place of employment had a great room with fridge, sink, lockers, mags, and even an industrial pump. The second I had to use my bosses and co-workers offices (of course they were all men). Made it very difficult, but I did it for 5 months at work. Keep thinking about the benefits for your baby and stick with it.

Hi N.. I am also a first time mommmy to a 19 month old (due with our second in July!). I just recently quit work but did work the whole time I breast fed (which was 16 months). When I first returned to work I did pump every 2 to 2 1/2 hours. As time went on I spread the time out so eventually I was only pumping once a day. My employer was extremly nice about this and quite honestly it only took 15 minutes (which is a cigarette break for most people). I used the medella pump in style which allowed me to double pump. It takes a little practice to get it all down but soon it will become easy for you. I purchased a bra from (a sentera nursing place on Volvo in Chesapeake) that allowed me to pump handsfree (defintley worth the purchase), I also used medella quick clean wipes, so I did not have to fully wash the breast pump parts each time. In your bag make sure you have a picture of your sweetie, a towell, bottles or bags (I used the medella bags which I liked best and attached nicley to the handsfree unit, a pen and some masking tape to write the date and time on the bottle, a bag with a freezer thingie, extra stuff (bottles, cleaning wipes, parts if possible). I also purchased a little frigde from Home Depot to keep at my desk (just so I did not have to store it in the company fridge). Try to anticipate any problem you will have. When I got home the first thing I did was breastfeed which was actually something I really looked forward to and was relaxing. Also, make sure one of the first things you do is wash your breast pump stuff so it can dry for the next day. I guess in retrospect it can be perceived as a lot of work but I did not think so and it is totally worth it! Good luck and contact me if there is anything I can help with.

Hello N.,
My name is N. & I breastfeed both of my children. With my daughter, I went back to work & it was quite a transition! What I did was I pumped when my breast got full & this still kept up my milk supply! When I got home I would feed her right away & continue to breast feed her for the rest of the evening. The doctor will probably tell you to hold off on the cereal because your baby is still to young! I started cereal at 4 months. Don't worry, your 2 mo old will slow down on the eating once he or she is in daycare!! Best of luck to you!!

N. S.

I hope you had a good day back to work. It is never easy to leave your baby, no matter how many you have.I breastfeed both of my children until they were a little over 12months. I went back to work when they were 7weeks old. I would take 3 breaks thru out the day approx. every 2-3hours, and for about 20min each time. It was not always easy, but it was the best I could do. Neither one of my children ever had formula and I worked a 10hour day 5 days a week. If I had to miss a break I would take a longer one the next time. If need be I would pump in between feedings at home. My children are now 12 and 14 years old. It was the best thing I did for them, since I could not be there all day everyday. HANG IN THERE!!

Just one more thing - wait and have the caregiver give your little one formula only when they run out of your breast milk. If you mix them together and your son doesn't finish the bottle, then they are throwing breast milk away, which you'll soon see is heartbreaking and a waste. Make sure the caregiver gives him bottles with just two or three ounces rather than a full bottle of five, for instance. A two month old won't drink that much and you can always give him more if need be. Also - you're supposed to toss out anything the baby's drunk from rather than save it for later, and that's certainly true for formula. But if your son is given a bottle of breast milk and he's just not hungry, it really is okay to put it back in the fridge for the next feeding in an hour or two - breast milk keeps very well and it would be a shame to dump it. (No one can say this officially but you can see that it really can't go bad in that short a time. I wouldn't keep it overnight, though.)

As for pumping, if you have your own office you can close the door and carry on. Most of us aren't that lucky, though. I occasionally brought portable work with me, but mostly I read my parenting magazines while pumping because they put me in a baby frame of mind, helping my milk let down, and also distracted me a bit, so I wasn't staring at my breasts saying "Come on come on come on!"

Good luck!

Never did that but I know the sucking action can be confusing to baby between bottom and you.
If you don't spend time pumping your supply will go down, also pumping for some doesn't work, they can get much like the baby can.
Food too early causes possible food allergies.
I've known people to do it and seem to do fine maybe you will.
So sorry you have to work!

You'll need to pump ahead, so that you have some breast milk available for your baby on your first day of work and then pump according to your infant's eating schedule. Breast milk is produce by demand, so when demand decreases. production goes down. Breast milk can be frozen and thawed when needed. I pumped at work until my daughter was a year old, carried a cooler.

Hello,

I have 2 kids. My son is 3 and my daughter is 2. I went back to work part time when my son was 6 months.

It will be hard, breastfeeding is very drainng as you know. Keep lots of healthy snacks so you can keep your energy after pumping. (fruit, nuts, some energy bars -low in sugar- ) You don't want to crash and burn and the sugar will keep you and the baby from sleeping.

PUMP WHEN YOU CAN PUMP. If you have an office shut you door and lock it. If not find a friend who does have an appropriate space and who wouldn't mind. The importance in pumping successfully is being comfortable. I know you will have pictures of your baby with you look at one while you pump that really worked for me. Use your lunch break, some feel it is good to eat while you pump.

INVEST IN LEAK PROOF,ADHESIVE NURSING PADS!!! Leaking is very irritating. Make sure your breast pads are adhesive, so they will stick to the other side of you bra. Being leaky and lop-sided is not fun!!! Keep an extra Black Blouse at work. Just in case you have a leak.

Routines, If you have a routine started try to stick with it as much as you can. But don't over extend YOURSELF! Most importanty keep yourself hydrated, well fed, and well rested.

I wish you the best

Take care of Yourself

K.C. Harris

You can pump breastmilk and work at the same time! Trick is to have a good double electric pump so the pumping is quick and effective. I've been pumping since January when I went back to work and my 3 month old went to day care. Definitely pump as often as the baby would normally feed so there isn't any interruption in your milk supply. Congrats on doing this, it is SO important for your baby to continue to get your antibodies. I know it's easier to not pump. But I feel as though my son's health is more important than my convenience. Keep it up.

Mixing cereal in with his bottle will do little besides constipate him and introduce foreign substances his body is just not ready to handle. As for how often to pump, you should pump as often as you can. Most moms pump 3 - 4 times during the day to keep up with the demand of baby. I would reccomend nursing him before you leave daycare, pump mid morning, at lunch, and in the afternoon. If you can squeeze in another pumping session, that would be great too! As soon as you get to daycare to pick him up, you'll want to nurse him again. At home, most babies prefer the closeness of breastfeeding, so you shouldn't have any problems meeting his needs by following his cues. Good Luck!!

N.,
You're doing a great thing by breastfeeding when going back to work. It's challenging-but I've done it and so can you! An 8 week-old tummy is not ready for cereal. If you can, try to pump and get ahead and store in the fridge for the day. Feed him or pump right before you go to work, then once in the morning and once in the afternoon at work. Make sure you've got a good electric double pump so you (and your boss) don't get frustrated! Then pump/feed him as soon as you get home. If you feel like he's not getting enough milk, supplement with a formula your doc recommends, not cereal. It may take a week or so to work out the schedule, but it will all be okay! You can do it!!!
H. (working mom of 4)

N.,

I tried to pump every two hours when I went back to work but it seemed to be a bit too much for me. I settled pumping every 3 hours and was able to get a sufficient amount of milk (most of the time). When I went back to work, we decided to increase the amount of milk my daughter had at each feeding in order to space out her feedings. There is a possibility that you may not get as much milk as you'd hope but stick to it even if it gets a bit frustrating. Just to give you an idea...sometimes I could pump 5 oz from one side and sometimes I would only get 2 oz. So it depends on the day.

I would not give cereal to the baby until she is a little older. If for some reason, you do not pump enough breast milk, you can always supplement what you are missing with formula. I had my caregiver give my daughter all the breast milk first and if it was not enough, than we would do formula. I hope this helps. Good luck at work!

N.: I have 3 children and had my first one when I was only 20. Luckily, I had a mom who was very helpful and knowledgable (she had 5 kids of her own and helped raise many brothers and sisters). I say this because first time mommys tend to strictly follow what their docs say. Unfortunately, not all docs follow the same recommendations. I've learned that you need to follow what your body tells you and what your baby tells you. I don't believe in the "scheduled feedings". You feed when your baby is hungry and when your breasts tell you they're ready. I did that and have 3 healthy children - none are overweight or have any problems. Nature is the best way to go. So, your body will tell you when you are ready to pump. Obviously, you will want to make sure you have pumped enough to get the baby through the next day. Hopefully, you have already started pumping so you can have a little to start out with, but if not - its okay. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for supplementing if you're not getting enough. Stressing out about it will only make it more difficult. My third child was premature and in the hospital for 6 weeks. During that time I was unable to pump enough breast milk to feed her during the day - my supply just wasn't there. She was supplemented with formula every day for 6 weeks. When she came home, she ONLY breastfed - without any problems. Again, nature takes over. When your baby starts to be hungry after eating often, that is when cereal will be good to add. Many moms have said 4 to 6 to 12 months. My children varied, but one started at about 3 months and that made him happy. He still breastfed, too, but the cereal kept him completely satisfied. That is why I say, let your body and your baby guide you. Good luck going back to work. Some people have said they are sorry for you to have to go back. It may be a decision that you made purposely - not based on need - because you value your own self outside of just being a Mom. As long as you have a good support system for you and your baby - working will work out just great. It sounds like you are making all the best decisions for you and your baby.

WOW!!! Your going back early...get ready mentally and physically...I am a first time mother as well my daughter is now 2 years old. I was breastfeeding aswell when I decided to return to work. I tried my best to keep with my childs feeding schedule which was similar to yours about every 2 1/2 hours. However meetings and other work related issues gradually changed my schedule.
I found in order to have enpugh milk to leave at home or with the daycare you will need to pump at work (store/freez) that milk and breastfeed at home.

Yes, you will need to pump a lot at work to keep your supply going strong. If you have a good electric pump it will be easier. Don't add cereal to his diet until at least 6 months of age. Anything but breast milk until then will possibly set him up for food allergies or sensitivities later on. Good places for more info are the La Leche League and mothering.com.

Good luck to you!

Hi N., It might not be realistic to expect that you'll be able to pump that often during the work day, but at least do it during your lunch break. Your baby and your breasts will thank you. If you don't pump enough during work to supply your baby during the day, then don't worry, he can drink formula as well as your milk. Good luck with work and the 2 month check up!!

Dear N.,
I amnot a doctor, but I am in a healthcare field surrounded by thousands of doctors and other healthcare professionals in both the traditional and alternative healthcare fields. The consistent message I hear over and over again is to never start feeding your baby cereal (or any thing other than breastmilk or formula) before six months of age. Reason given is that the earlier you start an infant on any food other than breastmilk or bottle milk, the higher the risk of allergies developing later as he/she grows. Hope this helps!
:) J.

N., it was definitely a challenge for me to work and pump! But I am happy to say that I was able to do it for 7 months after I went back to work. (And yes, sometimes it was a COMPLETE pain in the rear!!) I do suggest that you pump every 3 hours at work - and make sure you give yourself plenty of time. (I found that sometimes during a pumping my milk would let down twice, if I gave it enough time.) I also found that when I started to stretch out time between pumpings, or missed them altogether, it definitely screwed up my milk production. I wish I had been more disciplined about it.

I always nursed her for her "dinner" time feeding, and nursed for whatever other feedings we had at home (middle of the night, just before bed, first thing in the morning...whatever). I tried not to pump at home, since I read that pumping is not as effective at keeping up your milk supply as nursing.

I would caution against giving a 2 mo cereal...I was consistently told that cereal before 6 months was a bad idea, so make sure you are getting good advice before you go that direction.

Lastly, I would just say...if it's just too much to keep all the balls in the air, don't fret if you have to supplement with formula from time to time, or nurse just at home and give formula during the day. I felt terribly guilty about giving my sweetie any formula ever, but looking back, it was not a big deal, and in the end, it's keeping her fed and you sane that are the important parts.

Good luck!

Hi N.,

Pumping and returning to work is entirely do-able......I managed to do it for 11.5 months with my first and I'm hoping to do the same with my 6 month old son.

Most pediatricians will not recommend starting cereal until at least 4 months of age. Infants guts are just not mature enough beforehand and they still have the tongue thrust reflex, which will make trying to put something on their tongues any earlier a bit difficult. Most MDs will clear you for cereal around the 4 month mark, unless you have a family hx of food allergies, which would then push that back until closer to 5-6 months.

Regarding pumping and returning to work.....I typically feed our youngest and then pump before leaving for work, pump at mid-day and then pump again before leaving work. You just need some privacy (locked door, plug, etc) and it should be simple.

Good luck!

C

Pump as often as you can at work but if you have trouble keeping up with his demand try supplementing his bottles with formula to "stretch" out your breast milk. Cereals will most likely not be introduced until he's 4 months old.

Good Morning N. C

It has been almost 6 years since I was in your situation. While at work I pumped according to my body, when I felt full. If I remembered correctly, it was about every 3-4 hours. When I picked my child up from daycare I would nurse. To make sure I had enough milk for my baby I subsidized power milk. I would provide as much breast milk as I thought my child would consume and include some bottle with just water. I also made sure I had indivudual packets or premeasured container with powder formula. This was for back-up purposes. I never mixed cereal with my childs milk. I hope this helps

Hi N.
I don't think you have to pump that often but make sure you do it regularly so that you still produc enough milk...when I worked I pumped every 4 hrs. (so it was just 2x's at work) but I also pumped at home when he slept at least 2 extra times to have enough milk in storage.....don't rush the cereal...he's so young ...some peds now rec. waiting until 6 mths. although I know many who start at 4-5 mths. think about what's best for him first...physically and nutritionally he does not need it yet...as an slp I can tell you, he is not developmentally (in terms of oral motor skill) ready to eat cereal yet especially with a spoon.

Your 2 month old eats frequently because his belly is little and that is all he can hold. As he gets bigger, he won't need to eat as often.

2 months is way too young for cereal. AAP says 6 months, some pediatricians still use the old advice of 4 months, but either way, it is a long way off. Also, please don't put cereal in the bottle. I know people who do it, but my pediatrician was clear that it is a choking hazard for such a little fellow. With an older child it isn't so much an issue.

As for pumping, pumping as often as you nurse is a nice idea, but it likely won't be practical at work. I pumped every 3-4 hours. If I needed to pump after I got home, I pumped again.

Pumping at work and breastfeeding at home is pretty simple, just make sure you have a good quality pump. You will likely find that your son won't eat as much or as often from a bottle as he does from you. My daughter holds out for me and only eats the minimum she can from the bottle. Depending on how long you are away from him, expect him to eat 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours.

Good luck.

I worked in Pediatrics and their little tummies are not developed for digesting cereal until after 3 mths old. I know MANY parents do this but it's not for the baby's needs.

Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff that you can contact for advice on breastfeeding. They will tell you best about the do's and don'ts of pumping.

Good Luck to you and your little one! =) N.

N.,Admittedly, it's been a while for me since I breastfed (5 years), but I remember pumping during the day at work to keep up with my then 4 month old's schedule. Her Dr. recommended that I put her on cereal when she was ready for it, as opposed to putting her on it to slow down her schedule. Follow your body's milk flow and your child's eating habits. Mother Nature will tell you how to proceed.

Hey N., I breastfed my daughter for 7 weeks till i went back to work. My sister watches her during the day, However she gets 2oz breast milk and 2 oz formula with 2oz water. I work 6 hours a day so when i get off i pump and store. From 4pm till the next morning i just breastfeed her. So while she's with my sister she is really drinking 6oz of formula during the day. I think i have it good working only ten mins. away and 6 hours days. I'm not giving her any cereal till she is 6 months or so.

Hi N.:

After I had my son, I pumped 2 times a day at work. If your employer is pretty flexible, and your job compatible with it, you may be able to pump more. If you have an office with a locking door, you can pump and work at your computer at the same time (creative positioning to hold the equipment to your breasts using the edge of the desk).

I work in a lab, so I had to borrow an empty office. I couldn't really do a lot of work during that time, so I read books. I am salaried, so I would work an extra 45 min to 1 hr a day to make up for my pumping time. I did have to start supplementing with formula, but I breast fed (at least 50% of his liquids were milk and 50% formula) until he was 9 1/2 months old. How long is your commute? Mine was over an hour each way, so that impacted me, too.

Does he empty both breasts at each feeding? My son emptied one breast per feeding. Since I pumped both breasts at the same time, that equated to about 2 feedings, so pumping twice a day was the same as feeding 4 times in the same time period. Like I said, my commute make a big difference, since that would have been during another pumping session or a real feeding.

Your body will adjust to the pumping and feeding schedule. I did one morning pump and one afternoon. That way, I'd be ready to feed when I got home. You also need to work with your day care provider to help have your baby nearly ready to eat again when you are ready to nurse after work.

Some good books: So that's what they're for: Breastfeeding basics by Janet Tamaro and The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins. I've found both helpful and So That's What They're for is also funny.

Good luck,
B. M

Hi N.. You should only have to pump 2 - 3 times/day. I went back to work for 1-month while my baby was still eating every 2-hours and I was able to pump enough just twice a day. Also, check out kellymom.com. They have a lot of information on BF. Don't be too quick to supplement unless you eventually want to wean off Breastfeeding all together. Once you start supplementing, you are sending the signal to your body that you don't need as much milk. Also, if you are worried, start pumping a little 1-2 weeks before you return to work and put that milk in the freezer. That way you have a back-up plan if your sitter runs short on fresh pumped milk. Good luck.

I don't think you are going to be able to mix cereal in the milk. This is a bad practice because it is harder for the baby to digest. Your doctor may allow you to try a few different things. How long do you plan on breastfeeding? I didn't go back until 4 mo, but at that point, my son was able to eat cereal and I started weening him at that point. I used formally during the day and I breastfed at night. In order to continue to feed him breastmilk, you will have to pump while at work during the normal feeding times and store them to have an ample supply of milk while he is at the daycare. I am no doctor and different things work for different people. Good luck.

Your baby is too young for cereal, so I would not count on your doctor giving you the okay. Yes, you need to pump that much daily if you want your abby to eat that much, however, over time your milk supply wiht decrease becasue you are pumping and not nursing all the time. YOu may hvae to supplement wiht formula

Hi N.,

Congrats on goin strong with the breastfeeding! :)

Here are some tips from my experience:
I was also a first-time Mom and breastfeed very easily. I had an absolute abundance of milk and my son ate every 2-2.5 hrs as well at that age.

However, when I went back to work when he was 4 mo. old, I was SO surprised to find that I did not respond well to the pump. I got a Whisper Wear hands-free pump, very expensive, but it took a VERY long time, and I found that I was so rushed and didn't want to perform poorly at work by making my frequent breaks too long that I just could NOT produce enough milk pumping.

My milk supply obviously went down because of this. Your son is only 2 mo. old so he really can't eat anything else but milk. Here are some things that helped me at least pump some and also not dry up completely (I went on to breastfeed until he was 2, but when I started pumping at work my supply did decrease DRAMATICALLY):

* Have a picture of your baby by you, or something that smells like her/him while you are pumping. Also, RELAX.

* Breastfeed OFTEN when you are able to be home with him; whenever he's fussy or wants it, don't ever deny it. I come from a culture (S. America) where ppl breastfeed all the time, at the whim of the baby. Timing feedings is not even considered, as your baby not only gets nutrients from feedings but also good, quality mommy-time. The babies turn out to be so calm, they don't fuss, and aren't colicky. Any discomfort is treated with the breast; it works wonders! :)

* Stick to a pumping schedule while at work; I mean REALLY stick to it.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to share!

Shana Inofuentes
Fairfax
Mother to Amichai, 5 yrs old

Start out pumping as often as he eats. Eventually you can stretch it out as long as you are pumping enough milk.

Cereal should not be given to a two month old. Solids should not be given to supplement a feeding. Solids are meant to compliment milk, not replace it. Even then, babies aren't ready for it until around six months. Some go closer to a year before they're ready to eat food. If your doctor gives you the go ahead, find a new doctor because that one is not following the AAP's standards.

Hello N.,
I breastfed 3 boys all to 1 year. Going to work and breastfeeding can be very challenging. The only way I could actually make it work was to pump ion my car on lunch break (or more frequently). I needed a quiet place, and pictures of my babies was of utmost importance. I needed to look at my babies and think about the love for them in order to get the let down of my milk. It took some practice but I got so I could pump both breasts in about 20 minutes. A double electric pump can make it faster, but you also have to be quite coordinated to do this! Get rid of all distractions and just think about the love. A lot of people have trouble with diminished supply when they try to pump, but I think it has a lot to do with thinking you can just pump and get milk - sometimes it works that way, but a lot of the time the emotional connection is what initiates the let down, and helps keep the production up.

Good Luck!!
PS, I wouldnt go for any cereal before 5 months personally, but that's just my opinion - do what feels right to you.

D.

Hi N.,
Congrats on your new baby boy, they are awesome! Sorry that you have to work so soon but pumping and working can and will work if you are patient and determined. I did it when I had to. You definitely should pump and make it a priority above all of the work and business around you (it's hard sometimes but more important than anything). Here is my advice, have a picture of him or one of his blakets with you because oddly enough your body makes more when you are focused on your baby than if you are just doing it to be done (hormones are huge). Also, try to set your alarm and add a pumping time in the middle of the night. This will allow you store some milk and eventually you can reduce the number of times that you pump during the day at work. This is also great because you can allow your hubby to feed him (while you pump in another room) during the weekends and they can increase their bond aswell. My hubby loved being able to do this every once in a while, it made him feel more needed ;) Good Luck and God Bless.

N.,
While your baby is so young I would definately pump as much as much as he/she eats. I really don't think putting cereal into a bottle is a good idea. Cereal is for eating-not drinking. I wouldn't even start giving my baby cereal until he/she is over six months. I have heard of some mom's starting at four months but I think that is way too soon. I know that this is going to be hard to breast feed and work at the same time but I know it can be done and pretty soon your baby will not need to nurse so frequently. The time will pass more quickly than you think. Keep up the good work.