https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:06:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466592 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:17:02 +0000 twogirls 466592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's realistic and like all previous pp, it's not easy. At times, I feel my work performance suffers from being away to pump. There will be a lot of emotional juggles but don't get discourage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466584 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:12:08 +0000 purrpletulips 466584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: thanks, just requested it from the library </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466563 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:01:52 +0000 DillonLion 466563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@purrpletulips: the Milk Memos is the title </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466540 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:50:46 +0000 rachiecakes 466540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: that's good to know. I had a lot of friends with trouble with smaller companies.<br /> My work was, fortunately, very accomodating. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466513 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:42:00 +0000 brownie 466513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: No it isn't just for 50 employees or more. It is actually tagged onto the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) so it is for anyone who is an hourly employee (I was hourly before my new job even though they paid me a "salary"). So you would be exempt if you are an exempt employee. </p> <p>A small company may be able to get out of it if they can show undo hardship but they have to prove it. </p> <p>I am not a lawyer I just had to look into it all when I ran into trouble. So you should always read the laws yourself and/or consult with a lawyer. You can find more information on the Department of Labor site and your paystubs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466475 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:22:03 +0000 rachiecakes 466475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: is the federal law only for companies of 50 employees or more? I work for a small company (less than 30) and I know a lot of federal laws don't apply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466444 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:59:18 +0000 purrpletulips 466444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluebonnet/highwire: what book? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466443 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:58:55 +0000 purrpletulips 466443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it; sounds like you have a supportive work environment which will help. </p> <p>With DD I returned to work 8w PP to a hostile environment (the person who covered for me spent my leave trying to get me fired which didn't stop upon my return) this put undue stress on me and contributed some to supply issues. Despite this I pumped until she was 12m and nursed until she was 14m.</p> <p>This time around my work environment has been much easier (person who covered this time couldn't have been happier to see me my first day back) and since I now have my own office I can work while pumping. DS is 15w and I've been back to work since he was 9w. I do take supplements and drink Mother's Milk &amp; Raspberry Leaf Tea but he has only needed formula a couple of times whereas with DD she was supplemented with formula most of her first year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466438 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:55:23 +0000 Bluebonnet 466438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: So glad you like the book! It helped me to read about how other working moms made it work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466381 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:05:03 +0000 DillonLion 466381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: just started reading this book at your suggestion ans I'm loving it so far! I'm going back to work around the middle of February and I know I will be using this book as a reference for sure </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466345 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:48:19 +0000 brownie 466345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will tell you, that a stash would be nice, but I ended up dumping ours because of yeast and then MSPI. So it is still doable without a large stash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466303 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:29:50 +0000 Amelieisme 466303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 5 months old and I went back to work at 8 weeks and he hasn't had any formula yet. I think supplementing with formula is just around the corner though because my supply just can't keep up. I don't have a desk job, but I do have a private office to pump in. </p> <p>My adivce is to build up your freezer stash as much as possible before going back. My LO had weight gain issues (secondary to tongue tie) so I had to use my precious pumped milk to supplement him at the beginning so had trouble building a stash before I went back. It seems like most people produce more than I do when pumping at work. I pump 2-3x at work depending on my day. I nurse him on one side right when I wake up and pump the other. I find that he doesn't need both sides usually at this time because I produce so much. If I give both sides, he just ends up spitting up a ton! I then feed him once more right before I leave for the day. Point is, its totally doable, just takes a little work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466301 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:29:15 +0000 brownie 466301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some other things to note, if you are not salaried it is federally required to give you the time (unpaid) to pump as often as you need for the first year. This is law. I had a hard work environment but it was the law and I made sure I got what I got.</p> <p>Also, I swear by mother's milk tea when I needed supplementing. It got both water and herbs in me.</p> <p>He also reverse cycled (wanted to eat more at night than during the day) and this was normal. It worked well for us because after 6 months old we started cosleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466222 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:58:20 +0000 Lozza 466222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work at 9 weeks. I built up a HUGE freezer stash on maternity leave and during my first month or so back, when I was getting a ton from pumping and LO didn't eat it all. My supply really dropped around 5 months, and we started supplementing with formula a bit at 7 month, but I kept pumping till LO was 9 months old, and I continued to nurse at night and in the mornings till he was 11 months.<br /> And I was able to do all that without feeling like I put all that much work into it- I was a little psycho about pumping for the first 3 or so months, but then I dropped to only pumping every 3-4 hours, and I never did supplements or anything, and I wasn't very good at staying hydrated.<br /> I have my own office, so I'd just shut the door and continue to work while pumping. I also didn't spend too much time cleaning parts (I'd just rinse them out right away after the first use, and rinse + microwave after the second use of the day).<br /> So I feel like with (relatively speaking) minimal work once I went back to the office, I managed to EBF past 6 months, and get at least some breastmilk to LO through 11 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466211 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:53:29 +0000 mrstilly 466211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it! It's definitely easier if your work environment is set up in a way to support pumping (i.e. you have your own office or a room near by to use). </p> <p>I went back to work at 12 weeks and pumped/breastfed until DS was 7 months old. I only stopped because I got sick and my supply never bounced back once I was feeling better. </p> <p>To get enough milk, I would pump before feeding DS in the morning. I had so much milk in the mornings that I could pump 6-10 ounces and still have enough for DS to eat until he was full. I worked from 8:30 to 4:30 with an hour drive each way. I'd pump at 9, 11, 1 and 3 for the first month or two, then I dropped down to 3 pumping sessions at work once things were going well. I usually would be able to pump about 4-6 ounces more than DS ate during the day at daycare, including my early morning pumping session at home. DS usually ate about 14-16 ounces during the day at daycare, which is on the high side, but he usually slept through the night. </p> <p>It takes effort, but it was well worth it for me. Some days at work I'd have to travel with a client, so I made sure to get a pump with a battery so that I could pump on the go. I also was able to move a mini fridge into my office, so I would just put everything in there and I didn't have to wash anything during the day. When I was on the road, a cooler with ice packs was totally sufficient also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466187 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:35:22 +0000 brownie 466187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is absolutely possible. We are going on 20 months of breastfeeding and I have worked out of home since 10 weeks PP. I stopped pumping at work just after he turned a year old and we are starting to wean now. I want to cut him off at 2 so we can have another little one. </p> <p>I think shear determination was one reason we made it. He has MSPI and I wasn't going to pay $30 for a can of formula. It was also a control issue I could control what I ate and what he had. </p> <p>I did have some supply issues, but they were because of bad habits I had when he was first born. Best thing I did was hook up with La Leche League and I went to the meetings I could while on maternity leave. They have been so helpful in our struggles. After changing jobs at 9 months I was able to attend all of the meetings and it has been fantastic!</p> <p>Things I found that made it easier, seeing my baby often and clusterfeeding like crazy when we were together. I let him comfort nurse etc all weekend and all evening (ultimately all night as we co-slept). Another thing is after pumping if you refrigerate the parts, you don't have to clean them. I only cleaned them at night (I would wipe them down with a burp cloth after using them. I would keep as much of my pump hooked up as possible to keep pumping times to a minimum. I had the luxury (I know it isn't always possible) to see him and nurse him at lunch time. In the mornings I would pump one side while nursing the other in football hold. I would get the most ounces at that one pumping session. Then I would put him on it and he would empty that side. </p> <p>Occasionally I would have a 3rd pump a day (after lunch) to help production such as when I had my period or he was on a growth spurt. I bought a small single electric pump and occasionally if I wasn't going to see baby right away, I would use that to pump while driving or at night etc. That was awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466093 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:19:29 +0000 ladyfingers 466093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you, everybody, for the useful experience! I just feel like everything I read lately goes out of its way to emphasize how hard it is. I know it will be hard, I want to know how to make it easier -- and hear I can do it! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466070 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:53:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 466070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been exclusively pumping for about 3.5 months now (I exclusively nursed for the first 8 weeks or so, then tried nursing at home and pumping at work, but eventually just went to exclusive pumping) and haven't had any problems. The packing up the pump and washing pump parts is annoying but it's part of my routine now so I don't mind it at all. (actually going to blog about this soon! as soon as I get all the pictures of all my setups!) Haven't had a problem with supply at all-- it's been consistent from the beginning. Actually it's starting to go up a bit right now. I have no idea why! Maybe because I'm getting more sleep? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466068 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:49:09 +0000 mediagirl 466068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: what a horrible, horrible book! I didn't read that one but, I have personal experience.</p> <p>My lo is 6 months, 2 weeks old. I went back to work at 3 months. I am still breastfeeding and I pump at work. I have my own office and my boss and co-workers understand when my door is shut, I am unavailable. I wouldn't give up breastfeeding for anything as long as I can keep it up. It's hard work, don't get me wrong - pumping at work suuuuuucks. But when you can breastfeed your baby all weekend long and not have to pump or worry about bottles? It's the best thing ever. </p> <p>Getting the daycare bottles ready, cleaning pump parts, dealing with pumping at work - it all sucks. But I just keep remembering whenever I am with her, I can breastfeed her and not have to worry about bottles. Best thing ever. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466053 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:22:07 +0000 pelikila 466053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work full time at 8 weeks post partum and was able to successfully breastfeed my son until he was 9 months old. Sure there were hurdles to get over but it is totally do-able. I chose a daycare that was close to my work and went every day at lunch to nurse my son until he was 7 months old. It really helped me keep my milk supply up by having that extra nursing session with him. I also switched to a hospital grade pump because I always had trouble pumping and needed the more effective pump. My best advice is this: schedule enough pumping sessions per day to match what your baby would nurse, even if you are getting more milk out than you think you need. I didn't do that and the only reason I stopped breastfeeding my son is my supply tanked and no matter what I did I couldn't get it back up because I simply wasn't pumping often enough (3 sessions per day and nursing the rest of the time just wasn't enough for me but is plenty for other people). I thought this article (<a href="http://www.mowica.org/uploadfiles/files/MohrbacherMagicNumber2011.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.mowica.org/uploadfiles/files/MohrbacherMagicNumber2011.pdf</a>) was a great help but I didn't see it until after I'd weaned my son. Overall, prioritizing breastfeeding/pumping is what it comes down to for me. My office manager was also pumping when I was but she was a super milk producer so she got by with 2 pumping sessions per day no problem. You have no idea what your body is going to do so try to take a deep breath and take it as it comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466052 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:21:12 +0000 ohapostrophe 466052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You have a lot of great advice here so I'll just say it worked great for us. Pumping could be annoying but I also found it a great break/downtime during the workday. I pumped for 13 months and then kept BFing at home for much longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466034 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:45:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 466034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked full time With a half hour commute and made it EBF ( no formula) for a year. I also had several business trips away from little one in that time. </p> <p>The best thing for me was having a freezer stash before I went back. I had 100 ounces. </p> <p>Luckily I didn't Even have to take any more milk or fenugreek or anything. Just ate a lot of protein and drank water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466029 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:00:27 +0000 Pink Champagne 466029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been back at work for a month now- I think my biggest challenge is just breaking away from work for a pump break. But you can do it! I've developed a little routine for speedy pumping- I use the Medela wipes to wipe down my pump parts after using them, and I store them in a cooler in between pumping sessions.<br /> I haven't noticed any supply issues. I am still getting up in the middle of the night to pump, but I'm a night owl so it doesn't affect my sleep too much. I could probably get rid of that session in exchange for one right before bed, but life has been too chaotic with the holidays to switch things up right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466020 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 03:44:15 +0000 mrsjazz 466020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work when LO was 2.5 months and she is 8 months now. I plan to breastfeed for 1 year to 18 months or until she self weans. I began pumping while on maternity leave and built up a nice little freezer stash in case I had issues with pumping at work. </p> <p>The issues I've run into are not being able to pump 3x a day like I should because of meetings and work and dealing with ower output and clogged ducts. If I miss a session at work I ve learned that I need to make it up at home to keep my supply up. I wear outfits that are more conducive to quick access for pumping, have 2 sets of flanges and pump parts, a back up manual pump in my desk drawer, keep my flanges and bottles in the fridge, and use quick clean wipes.</p> <p>I haven't had to supplement and I feel like I've got things covered until we are ready to stop. Ignore the book, you can do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-466008 Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:08:47 +0000 autumnlove 466008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work at 12 weeks and I pumped and breastfed until the 9 months until my supply tanked from being pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-465940 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 23:52:09 +0000 mamimami 465940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first I went back at 10 weeks and never had to supplement! I even went away for like 5 or 6 days when he was like 7 months old. I haven't gone back to work yet but I hope to avoid supplementing this time too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-465882 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:48:43 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 465882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did great with it and I work a ton! Don't listen to the naysayers. You can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-465877 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:46:43 +0000 junebugmama 465877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a breast feeding mentor for our local hospital (studying to be an IBCLC) and it's very possible. The stats are low for those who stick with it, and usually it has to do with the work environment. If you have a supportive employer thats half the battle.</p> <p>I see the biggest struggles with supply. It can be hard to maintain supply with pumping as your LO gets older. It's best to pump often in order to maintain. For instance I have a client who for the first 2 months only pumped 4x per day. By her 3rd month her supply tanked and she wasn't able to pump more than 10oz per day (24 minimum required). So sticking to 2-3 hours is best. </p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-465843 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:34:00 +0000 pinkcupcake 465843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked for about 2 months (from the time L was 4 months - 6 months old) and managed to pump the entire time and did not have to supplement with any formula. It was definitely a challenge - washing pump parts and packing everything up took at least 15 - 20 minutes every day - but I wouldn't say it was impossible. Sometimes it was difficult finding time to pump, but I tried to stick to a regular schedule as much as possible and tried not to let anything throw off my pumping schedule. </p> <p>It also really helped having other moms in the office who were breast feeding &amp; pumping. It was nice having other people to go through it with :) Good luck! It's a challenge, but it's one you can definitely succeed at! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-wohm-and-bfing-realistic#post-465833 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:26:28 +0000 Bluebonnet 465833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also a WOHM and have successfully EBF 8 months and still going.</p> <p>I highly recommend this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Milk-Memos-Business-Babies/dp/1585425443" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/The-Milk-Memos-Business-Babies/dp/1585425443</a></p> <p>It's written by a couple working moms that met while pumping at IBM. </p> <p>My other suggestion to build a freezer stash while you are on maternity leave. It's much less stressful to pump when you know that you still have milk to feed LO if you hit a rough patch. </p> <p>Good luck! </p>