Returning to work -- stash and formula questions

[varockchalkgirl]

I'm slated to return to work in the next month. I'm EBF right now, but am wondering, what should I plan for in terms of having a freezer stash (in terms of total ounces?) I have a smaller baby that eats approximately 2 oz. every 2-3 hours now and I plan to pump three times during the day along with feeding him at the noon hour (and anticipate that I can get 1 oz from each side at each session). I don't anticipate issues, but want to be ahead of any issues that might arise (supply, scheduling, etc.).

Also, for those that introduced formula before returning to work, what do you recommend in terms of how to introduce? I'm thinking that if I have some sort of supply issue, perhaps I'll do formula during the day with BF in the mornings and evenings.

Final question, I suspect my baby is lactose intolerant. Is there a good formula for lactose intolerance?

No flames please; while I would like to EBF through 12 months, I'm just trying to be open to a variety of situations that might occur.

Thanks!

[feminist~mama]

In my opinion- there's no point in introducing formula before you have to. No benefit as far as I'm concerned.

[Baby_Cakes]

I didn't intro formula before returning to work. IMO, I wouldn't recommend doing that only b/c it might mess up your supply.

How old will your LO be when you head back?

I think you are wise to expect 1 oz from each side during each pumping session. That way if you get more, it will seem like a bonus.

Starting now, I would just start pumping. Try to build up a stash before you head back to work. You will probably need 3 bottles (4 to be safe) with 3-4 oz of bm in them for your LO for your first day back. Any extra you can freeze will be great b/c then on that first day back, b/w juggling pumping and a new routine, you don't have to be too stressed with output. It will be more about fitting it all in and relaxing enough to have a good letdown.

[texmati]

how old is your baby? If he is 3 months or less, might is suggest trying 2 ounce bottles at first, and stepping up if necessary?

I'd also start building up a stash now, and introduce a bottle once a week or so. Maybe use that time to go out?

I would not introduce formula now, or even during the day when you were gone unless it was absolutely necessary. With a little help from DH and I, ds has started reverse cycling, so he eats quite a bit more at night.

Finally, what put my mind at ease was to do a 'trial run' with DH. On a saturday, I "went to work" at 9:30 am. Really, I went into the other room. I was there to help make decisions about how much to give him, critique DH's bottle holding :rollseyes, go through the motions of pumping without having fed DS, ect. Basically get all my worries out of the way at home, without being at work.

It really eased my fears to see DS taking a bottle without a fuss, and also seeing tha tI could pump relatively more when I hadn't fed DS. (I still wish I could pump more, but with the reverse cycling, I'm still keeping up with DS).

Best of luck to you! Pumping is the less 'glam' side of breastfeeding, and I wish that it got a lot more support than it does. s

[HungryCaterpillar]

Your baby is not lactose intolerant - breastmilk has TONS of lactose! If you notice that he/she has trouble when you have cows milk, that's an intolerance to the protein in milk (lactose is the sugar.) I know because my DD has it She gets extremely sick if I have even a tiny bit of milk protein. Giving formula to babies with this problem is very tricky! Obviously regular cows-milk formula is out. Soy formula is an option, but many babies who can't tolerate cow's milk also have trouble with soy. Hypoallergenic ($$) formulas are made of cow's milk with the proteins partially digested. If your baby is so sensitive to the proteins that she reacts to the tiny amount in your breastmilk, there's a good chance she won't be able to handle the hypoallergenic formula either.

I went back to work a month ago (DD was 3 months) and have been pumping at work. I had figured I would supplement with formula if I had trouble keeping up with what she eats during the day, but because of the milk issue I just described I'm trying to avoid it. It's been a challenge, but so far I've been able to do it.

As far as starting to pump and building a freezer stash, these two websites were invaluable to me and I still consult them all the time!
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/h...ombofeed.shtml
http://www.workandpump.com/

Good luck to you mama!