Working moms who EBF/Pump...

How do you balance & fit in all in? I literally have to get up at 4:45am to pump, sterilize & pack all my BF supplies, get myself ready, wake up the baby, BF, and drop him off at my sister-in-laws.

I am so afarid that I am going to burn out!

How long are you planning to EBF? I was hoping to make it to 1 year and transition to cow's milk. But that is in May!!!

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

It's hard

I BF DS until he was 14 months and packed my pump away right before his first birthday.

I returned to work PT (3 days/wk) when he was about 16 wks, and by 6 months was working 4-5 days a wk.

My schedule, once he was STTN, was as follows (more or less):

6:30AM/7AM - up & pump (got the most at this time - sometimes 16oz or so)
7:30/8AM - nurse DS

Pumped 3x/day at work if I could get it in (I had a hands free bra so I could nurse while I was here and still get work down)

** It helped a lot that I had 2 pumps and an additional set of supplies (containers/horns/etc.). I never actually had my own pump - I inherited 2 to borrow from my friend and SIL who only nursed for 8-12 wks

When I got home I nursed Ryan again, then again before he went to be (around 8:30PM)

Then I would clean out my supplies in the evening and bag up what I pumped.

Then, I'd pump one more time before bed (11:30PMish).

Message edited 9/11/2009 12:28:06 PM.

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

I wash the bottles and shields after using them, but I don't sterilize them. I don't wake up as early as you do, but I tend to wake up earlier than DS does to pump. I only started doing that when my supply dropped. When I first went back to work, I didn't pump until a few hours after I had gotten to work. I'd consider buying another set of shields. That way, if you're rushing to get ready, you have a clean set to take with you.

It's definitely tough to balance everything. I plan to BF for at least a year. I definitely want to give up pumping at 1 year, but would be willing to continue nursing in the morning and at night.

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

It is tough. My goal was to EBF/ Pump for six months. I went back to work at 3 months and I was pumping 4x a day. I would pump in the morning before I got dressed, pump twice at work, and pumped before I went to bed. It was so tough pumping at work, especially since I had to pump in my car. I did have a few shortcuts though. Since bm can stay out for up to ten hours at room temperature. I would pump at work and then just rinse the shields and pump the second time. I would wash them once I got home. Then at night I would pump, and leave everything out til morning (less then ten hours) and pump again. I would then wash and sterilize after that. If you don't already have, I would recommend you get the microwave sterilizing bags from medela. They are awesome and quick. I just threw the parts after I washed them in the bag, and microwaved for three minutes. Did this before I jumped in the shower.

It is tough and I knew I would not be able to keep up with this for a whole year. I did this for six months and now I just pump in the morning and at night. DS is now using the freezer stash and some formula. I still nurse him at night.

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

unfortunately, i do not have a freezer supply.
what i do is pump for the next day.

i give the baby whatever i pumped from the day before.
i used to pump after i would breastfeed in the morning but my schedule is the following:
in the morning i bf around 6 or 7am, leave for work, pump twice while i am there( 2 pump sessions will yield one 5-6 ounce bottle) and when i get home ( (6;30pm/7) i bf her. and sometimes i will pump right before i go to bed.

with all this i still ahve to supplement with formula b.c i simply do not make enough. in order to make more milk i would prob have to squeeze in 1 or 2 pump sessions but i dont have the time.

i am doing my best and that is all i can offer.
so my dd has 1-2 formula bottles, one mommy's milk bottle and the morning and night feedings are on the breast...

good luck! and dont drive yourself crazy! just try to pump the day before..

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

I have been back at work for 3 months now and am still able to EBF. I feed DD in the morning before I leave for work and then pump 3x while I am at work (DD eats 3x while I am at work). Then I feed her after she has her dinner and before she goes to bed. I then pump before I go to bed at about 10pm. I have also started to pump on the weekends while DD takes her morning nap since I have had a little dip in my supply. I have a large freezer stash, so I am not worried. I am determined to make it to the year mark. DD will be 6 months old on sunday :) It is a lot of work, but it can be done!! Good Luck!!

PS - you don't have to sterilize ever single time you pump. I just do it once a day.

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

Thanks ladies!!! I am determined to continue as long as I can. I wouldn't even know what to switch him to since he has never had anything except bm.

Re: Working moms who EBF/Pump...

I am right there with you. I am trying to figure out how many times to pump at work and etc...

Now I get up and pump. DS is still sleeping and I leave what I pump at home for DH to feed DS when he wakes up.

Then I have been pumping one time at work and then I BF when I get home. I pump again before bed (which is not that much later than the last time I BF him these days...because I am tired)!

I am determined to keep it up as long as I can too.