Working Moms who BF

My son is 4 1/2 months and is exclusively BF so I am pumping at work. I am getting sick of it and want to wean him partially. I would like him to have formula while I am at work and BM in the early morning and at night. Has anyone been able to do this? I am worried that if I cut out the day feedings (or pumping sessions), my milk supply will diminish to a point that I can't even BF in the mornings and at night. My doc says its possible but am looking to see if anyone was successful with this....

Re: Working Moms who BF

I know the feeling..it is hard to pump while working and bringing everything back and forth etc..
it is not easy to do what you are looking to do..and it really all depends on your body. The main problem is that you just don't know until it is too late to "fix". I also think it is too soon to try this..maybe at 8 months your body could adjust to it, but at 4.5 it is really iffy.
Also, does your baby get formula now? You might want to see how he reacts to it before you do anything to chance your supply. Your better bet might be to not pump as much and supplement with formula but still keep your supply up. Say pump only 2x at work instead of 3x or something like that.

Here are 2 things that helped keep me going:
-Each day while working I took time out of the busy day for my baby..that helped me feel connected in a way that I don't have now since she is older and off BM.
-The LC said to me "Michele this time will go by so fast and you will look back and you will not really remember how hard this was." I have to say it is very true. I know how hard it was to pump like I did, but I don't really think about it like that now.

I can help you wean off pumping if you want to. It takes a few weeks to really get off totally.

Re: Working Moms who BF

I have done this and was successful. I did it when she was 12 months old, however at 4 1/2 months your milk is pretty well established.

First I stopped my extra pumping at home, then a week later went from twice at work down to once and a week later stopped that last pumping session. I BF her when she woke up, after work at 5:30 and then again at 9:00 when she was ready for bed, as well as any night feedings that she needed. I was amazed that my supply stayed so consistent for morning and nights. What amazed me more was that on weekends I would BF at the 'off' time if she needed and I my supply kinda readjusted, and then adjusted again during the week and I did not have any pain or engorgement problems.

She is now 17 months and I still BF her about 2 times a day (She has regular milk as well). My supply is still there, although I can tell it has decreased some as she is slowly weaning at this point.

Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions

ETA: I found this helpful information on Kelly Mom

Message edited 5/17/2006 12:58:37 PM.

Re: Working Moms who BF

Thanks for the info. I recently started supplementing with formula and decreased the # of pumping sessions. My son is fine with it. It is hard because my job requires me to be out of the office in meetings or in court so pumping is tough. Plus, every morning my DH packs my pump. Today, he FORGOT THE ATTACHMENTS and I am ready to POP!! I have to go home to BF or pump and I am sooo busy!!