https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:16:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-181004 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:23:40 +0000 WiLLoWtReE 181004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thehistoryofus- thanks! I needed for someone to make me realize I'm just going to be gone for 3 feedings not forever. I guess I'm just making a bigger deal about it than I should lol<br /> @Purrpletulips- yeah I need to chill and not stress! That's just going to make things worse I guess. :) thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-180679 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:46:50 +0000 purrpletulips 180679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@willowtree: I started pumping when LO was about 5w old (would pump one side while she nursed from other then switch). I had a very small "stash" when I went back to work and ran through it pretty quick. I was never able to pump much so I ended up supplementing with formula. I took the if I can give her one bottle of BM a day and nurse when home with her she is getting some benefit. I tried really hard not to stress too much about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-180538 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 11:27:21 +0000 obxwife 180538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crash806: That's the rumor anyway! LOL, I'm not sure myself. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-180164 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 06:45:25 +0000 T.H.O.U. 180164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of people aren't able to build a "stash" before starting work (mine is gone now). </p> <p>Yes it can be stressful if you don't pump enough, but some moms just give a little less milk the next day. Think about it this way, if your baby was nursing and you produced a bit less, you would never really know. So if you are talking about a difference between 12 ounces and 14 ounces, your baby probably wouldn't know the difference. I typically will just ask daycare to try to stretch her feedings out (sometimes they feed her just because its been 3 hours not necessarily because shes hungry). </p> <p>Going back to work and pumping actually wasn't that bad for me. Honestly, the worst part is packing the bag up in the mornings with the pump parts and bottles but my husband took on that task! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179777 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:13:13 +0000 WiLLoWtReE 179777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go back Thursday and I dont have a stash either :( I'm trying my best to pump the three bottles she will need while I'm at work. It's really frustrating to only get an ounce at a time when I pump though (1 hr after she nurses). I'm just nervous about pumping at work in general ... What if I don't pump enough for the next day? Has anyone encountered that problem? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179737 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:29:50 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 179737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since I couldn't seem to build up a stash while on maternity leave, I would give her a bottle of formula and then pump and save that for the first day of daycare. Also, my LO went on a bottle strike right before she started daycare. But it turns out that she took a bottle just fine from other people, just not from me or DH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179704 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:03:08 +0000 mamimami 179704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You still have a few weeks so don't panic yet. Some babies do what is called "reverse cycling" where they don't feed as much when you're gone and they make up for it when you're around. This could end up being your case!</p> <p>My pediatrician told me to avoid giving my baby any bottles -- to let other people do that -- but that if I had to, lay the baby with his or her head down on your knees and his legs/feet toward you so he or she is not smelling you so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179688 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:56:54 +0000 lavender 179688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@obxwife: I didn't know they could smell milk when it's being pumped! That's so interesting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179604 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:55:52 +0000 obxwife 179604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try pumping about an hour after she nurses, to get a stock. Do it in a room where she isn't - she can smell your milk and wants it! Also, try leaving the house and have your SO give her the bottle, then if she wants to suck - try a paci. If she's still fussy, then she might still be hungry.</p> <p>I pumped all throughout maternity leave and have a pretty good stash but haven't had to dip into much of it. I pump 3 times at work, when he usually eats, and that's enough to get him through the next day at daycare. I drop it off that evening when I pick him up. </p> <p>Hope you find something that works for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179478 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:45:00 +0000 regberadaisy 179478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nskillet: we're in the exact spot. I return on Tuesday. :(<br /> I've been pumping And like you end up offering it when she's still hungry so I have no stash. When I pump of she's not nursing I barely get droplets.<br /> I fear I'm going to have to transition completely to formula when I go back. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179451 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:35:56 +0000 jennylynn 179451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nskillet: have you tried pumping after she nurses? You may not get very much at first, but every little bit adds up. I also always make sure to pump at the time of day when my breasts feel the fullest. Unfortunately for me, thats at 4 am! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179428 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:28:17 +0000 jennylynn 179428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, *hugs* on returning to work. I just went back yesterday so I totally know how you're feeling. I started stashing before I returned to work as soon as I started producing extra so LO would have some extra in case of a growth spurt etc. I've been having my husband give her a bottle of pumped milk every other day since around week 4 to get her used to the bottle. And I've been pumping and storing while at work at the times she would normally eat to keep my supply and stash up. It's only day 2, but so far so good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179356 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:03:33 +0000 Nskillet 179356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I do! But each time I use it DD ends up hungry wanting to nurse so I end uo feeding her the breast milk. I guess I should start formula feeding, pumping and stashing it? When do you plan to ween? Im so nervous she will freak out at daycare :(</p> <p>There is such a huge part of me excited to head back to work but another absolutely dreads it. I have a full month now to figure things out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179349 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:00:26 +0000 autumnlove 179349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awwh, I felt the same way when I was close to returning to work! It is definitely a tough adjustment period so hang in there!</p> <p>I pumped throughout my maternity leave so I had a stash and I pump now when I'm at work! Do you have a pump? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-moms-returning-to-work#post-179345 Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:55:45 +0000 Nskillet 179345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did you ladies do to continue nursing? I have been doing breastmilk and formula from early on to get my daughter bottle ready for daycare. I return in July. However, today she took down 4oz of formula from me and proceeded to scream until I offered her breast. She ate some more but mostly used me to comfort nurse until she fell asleep on me. She will take pacifiers but it doesnt seem to be for comfort. She will be 6 weeks on Saturday.</p> <p>What did you do when you returned to work? Did you have a stash? I cant get into a routine yet and am already so weepy at the thought of putting her in daycare.</p> <p>Sorry, been having a rough couple days and needed to vent :( </p>