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It is hard. And 6 weeks is a very short maternity leave. Here is how I did it. When I was home with him, we nursed and that is pretty much all me and him did. He didn't sleep through the night so we nursed at night. I woke him for a "dreamfeed" at 4:30 before I left for work. I spent the weekend just nursing with no other distractions.

I pumped an extra time at work for a week or two when I felt low. You are already doing formula so, do that at daycare and don't focus as much on how much but how long.

I had to come to terms with how breast milk works and how it is different than formula. Babies don't increase ounces because the breastmilk changes calories. So they get more calories in less ounces. You may only make 3 oz each side ever and that is okay because your milk will change for demand.

I would recommend working with you doctor and trying to get off of formula (at least when you are home). This will create more demand. At this age, 40 min every 2 hours sounds normal. Again, breastmilk digests faster than formula because it is more easily digestible.

It is very difficult and it and sleep will dominate your life. Without help and support it will be even harder. It also isn't a fail if you choose something else (occasional or no nursing). Your baby will still grow and will still love you. If you want to breastfeed, take it each day at a time.

I nurse LO twice and pump before I leave for work (nurse at 6, pump, nurse at 7:45/8). I pump twice at work. I nurse as soon as I get home from work and she normally nurses often, usually 2-3 times between 6 and 9. When I'm super tired I take a bath with her, if not I do it after she falls asleep. I then pump again before I go to bed. She'll usually wake up around 2:30/3 to nurse again.

Some days I feel like a zombie but mostly I have a good hour and a half to myself every night during the work week. Sounds like a little but it is heaven.

@babyjmama: it sounds like a great plan. Please let us know how it goes! You can do this (whatever you want to do).

Def up the water! I see a huge difference in my output when I don't drink as much water.
When I'm home with her it's all nursing. No formula. If she's hungry she has to feed from me or else my body won't know to produce more.

We usually get home by 5:30pm. In the beginning I had her bath done by 7pm and we're nursing then she's in her crib by around 8pm. While I'm nursing my husband is starting dinner, washing bottles etc. On the days he works nights I get dinner started and wash bottled after she goes down. Most nights I'm so pooped I fall asleep on the couch after dinner. When I really should have been pumping because my boobs were engorged and now it's learn to stop producing around that time until she eats around 2am. I've been trying to pump before bed even though it's an ounce only. I believe if I keep doing it eventually I'll get more!

It's hard but if you're determined to do it, you can! I went back at 6 weeks as well and she's now 14weeks. Once you get into your groove it'll be easier.

I had the same fears as you that if I pump she'll wake up and not have anything to eat!! I'm slowly overcoming it and really if she does wake up and I'm dry I can always give her the pumped milk.

I have no stash whatsoever either! I've accepted it. It sucks because I'm starting to prepare her purées and I wish I had extra breast milk to use in the purée.