EBF and Daycare question

When your DC started daycare, how did you know how much BM to supply for the day? My DS will be 12 wks when he starts going and I'm starting to work on building up my storage supply.

Thanks

Re: EBF and Daycare question

My DS doesnt go to daycare but my DH stays home with him while I work. I went back at 16 weeks and honestly I just wing it. I tried and still do leave at least 3 bottles all different sizes (1 7oz, 1 5 or 6 oz, and 1 3 or 4 oz). I also keep a freezer stash so god forbid he needs anyther one my DH can defrost. Hope this helps. It ges much easier as you go along, my DH is a pro at feeding him bottles.

Re: EBF and Daycare question

My DD doesn't go to daycare but I returned to work and DH is home during the day. Before returning to work, I transitioned my DD to bottles during the day & I pumped. By the time I was ready to return to work, I knew that she would have about 15-18 oz while I was gone. I made four 5 oz bottles. Basically you'll have to do some bottle feeding during the day so you know how much DC is taking in.

Good luck!

ETA: I also have a large supply of frozen milk. It's a good idea to start freezing some milk.

Message edited 6/4/2007 8:24:52 PM.

Re: EBF and Daycare question

Thanks for the input. I have been practicing with my pump and I'm about to start building up a freezer supply. I still have 7 wks before I return to work. Since I am BFing on demand, I really have no idea how much he's actually eating.

Re: EBF and Daycare question

I brought a bunch of extra frozen milk. I also brought a bottle for every feeding and one or two extra.

Re: EBF and Daycare question

Well, the first thing you need to do is start pumping after every feeding. You will have to introduce the bottle before you actually go back to work, so you should be able to gage by that. Start giving him a bottle at least once a day (preferably have someone else feed it to him so he gets used to being fed by someone other than mommy) about 3 weeks before you go back to work. It may take him a while to get used to a bottle, or he may take it very easily (like my kid who just loves to eat.) Start by giving him only a couple of ounces at a time, you don't want to waste any liquid gold. And then you can keep giving him another ounce at a time to see how much he takes.