Breastfeeding While Working

[jenhop]

I am a first time mother due with a little girl in February. I have to return to work about 6-8 weeks after her birth for financial reasons and I am very anxious about breastfeeding. I would like to breastfeed her at least three months, hopefully six, but I don't know any working mothers who breastfeed. They all say it was too difficult and that their kids are thriving on formula. I have also been told breastfeeding is agonizing and I wonder if I should start for such a short time. Is it worth it for only a few months? How do I deal with the pain? Will she accept both boob and bottle, which will be a neccesity if I pump at work... HELP!!

[Ellien C]

I did absolutely fine pumping and working. The pumping was honestly no big deal to me. There were tons of other things I did in my job that I thought was a bigger pain in the neck than pumping. I scheduled my pumping breaks and put them on my work calendar. I got a lot of help from DH in the evenings.

Breastfeeding was honestly a bit painful for me at first. To be honest I took tylenol for the first weeks. Everything was pretty painful.

It's totally absolutely worthwhile to breastfeed for ANY amount of time. You convey immunities, nourishment, all the best the things that your child needs early in life. It's also possible to breastfeed on weekends and evenings when you are with your child and you another feeding method when you are not.

I would encourage you to contact your local LLL and see if they can put you in touch with any other pumping mothers. And if they seem the least bit snotty or unhelpful than FIND ANOTHER LLL leader. You should also contact your HR department and ask them if they know any other mothers who are pumping and could they ask them to contact you.

I wrote an essay on pumping a few years ago:

http://ellienchadway.blogspot.com/20...g-pioneer.html

[Poodge]

First take a deep breath. It will be ok! I am a working mom and have breastfed my DS for six and half months so far and plan to continue until he weans himself. If fact I am pumping at work right now!

I do not think it is too difficult at all to breastfeed and work. I breastfeed DS any time we are together and he takes a bottle at daycare. I pump at work. No problems! The best part of my day is getting home from work and snuggling up with DS and nursing him to reconnect after being apart. It is also wonderful to roll over in the middle of the night to nurse vs. having to get out of bed to warm a bottle, I get much more sleep which makes me a much happier working mom the next day.

I think any and all breastfeeding is worth it! I would suggest you give it a try while you are on leave. It should not hurt and if it does get some help from your local LLL or from a lactation consultant. Get a good pump - some like the Medela Pump in Style some like the Ameda Purely Yours and pump every two to three hours while apart. I also suggest pumping on one side while feeding on the other first thing in the morning the last couple of weeks you are home. This gives you a chance to get use to the pump and store some milk in the freezer. Best of luck, hang around these boards, and ask questions and I am sure you will be just fine!

[PatioGardener]

The Mamas above have given you great advice. I also agree that all breastfeeding is worth it. You can do it Stop back here and ask more questions!