Hellobee Boards

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!

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?

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.

@Nskillet: we're in the exact spot. I return on Tuesday.
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.
I fear I'm going to have to transition completely to formula when I go back.

@obxwife: I didn't know they could smell milk when it's being pumped! That's so interesting.

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.

A lot of people aren't able to build a "stash" before starting work (mine is gone now).

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).

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!

@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.