Can i do 1/2 and 1/2?

[reneeisorym]

I'm trying to figure out what to do when I return to work. I hate not being able to be a SAHM but life is what it is.

I can't pump while at work because I work in a retail store and am the only person who runs it while I am there. I work 11 hour shifts 4 days a week. I like the schedule because it means our baby will only need daycare 3 days a week. (I'm home three and DH is home to keep her on Saturday). I don't really even get a lunch until the store is empty and I can go to the office where I can hear if the door opens and come out. It certainly wouldn't work to pump in between customers. I really really love my job. I was told I could transfer to a larger store if I wanted pumping breaks, but this store is just 4 miles from my house and it's just a perfect situation. Plus my pay would decrease if I transferred.

Can you see any way I could do 1/2 formula while I'm away from our baby girl and still breast feed in the mornings and after I get home? I am desperate to breastfeed! Any advice appreciated.

Please don't fuss at me for working or putting up with this schedule. Other than this hangup, I've never had a job like this that I truly love.

[Nazsmum]

When are going back to work? Do you want to start 1/2 and 1/2 right away?

I would say get the b/f off to a good start. Then start pumping and then see where you are. The most important thing is get off to a good start.

Also go a LLL meeting while your still preg.

[annettemarie]

Moving out to the general forum, as per the Breastfeeding Challenges guidelines.

[MamaChicken]

I did with my twins. I just never pumped enough. We made it to 15 months but I do believe that formula hastened the weaning process significantly. If you need/want to work, I'm not sure what other options you have.

Hugs!

[terrordactyl]

you also mayb have to pump since your breasts will have to much milk in them when you're at work.. dont you get any breaks?

[jessica_s]

How soon do you go back? The problem probably won't be with her, it would probably be with you because to go from full time nursing to an 11 hour shift would be absolutely killer on the breasts. If you weren't able to pump at all (even for 5 minutes) you would probably be in so much pain you couldn't concentrate on doing your job.
I think if you are by yourself, you can probably pump. You can have things set up, and pump for 2 minutes, 5 minutes or however long you have. At the VERY least to relieve yourself. You can have everything set up and just leave it out of someone comes in and then throw the whole thing (besides motor) in the fridge (if you have one) and then get it out for next time. With a healthy mom/baby there's no need for set up/tear down/wash every time.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

When I worked in a place where it was just me, I would just sit in the office & pump, if I heard the door, I'd tuck back inside, sit the pump on the desk, and go out. When the person left, I'd go back & finish. I don't know how busy your store is, but the last small retail I worked there were stretches of 25-30 min w/o customers and that's plenty of time.

Plus, there's that whisper wear pump thing someone else can probably give you more info about. And if you're taking the standard 6 weeks, you'll have time to build up a good stock in the freezer.

Good luck!

[rhiOrion]

I agree w/ having the pump set up and pumping when you can. even five minutes will help. Wear shirts that are quick and easy for you to undo/pump/redo

[Quinalla]

First, breastfeeding doesn't have to be all or nothing, if you aren't able to pump enough for when you are away, you can supplement some with formula.

However, as others have said, 11 hours is going to be brutal for you to go without pumping at least 2 times. I would do a setup similar to what the PP mentioned. You could even wear a nursing cover so if someone surprises you, you will be covered up. Breastmilk can sit out for several hours at room temperature, so if you got interrupted you would be fine.

[Heba]

Exactly what Quinalla said. Yes, lots of mums mixed feed - no way is it all or nothing. But 11 hours = very hard on you. As well as engorgement/discomfort (and poss leaking), you'd be putting yourself at risk for plugges ducts and/or mastitis.

Hopefully with a bit of creativity, you'll come up with a solution for pumping. Even a few minutes here and there may be enough. I used a hand-held battery-operated pump when I went back to work, and I could just stick it up my shirt and other than the noise, no-one would necessarily know what I was doing if they walked in on me. Very quick to stick on and off if a customer walked in (i.e. no longer than putting your sandwich down, really).

Oh, and I agree that if you have 6 weeks (around the time it takes to establish lactation) before you return to work, it would be easier.

Very best wishes for a continuing breastfeeding relationship! Planning for it in advance is a great indicator that you'll make a success of it.

[emilysmama]

I did 15 hour shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. On the other weekdays, I worked normal hours. But I pumped with a double electric pump every 2-3 hours, around the clock. I had a pumping station all set up, just ready for me to plug my breasts in, so I needed only ten minutes for a pumping session. I pumped for three years.

Were I in your shoes with your constraints, this is what I would try. I am assuming that there are times (even if for only a couple of minutes) when there is no one inside the store. I would wear clothes with easy accessibility, if you know what I mean. I would keep an Avent Isis manual pump (it's single sided) right on the store counter, concealed in a pretty flower pot or something. It's a tiny pump, so no one will see it if a customer walks into the building. Whenever the store is empty, I would pump. I wouldn't even go back to the office to do it because that will take extra time. I would keep an eye on the door, and as soon as I saw someone walking in the door, I would toss the pump in a flower pot or something and no one would even be the wiser. This type of pump doesn't make a sound when it is operating. I have heard of mothers say that they make business calls while they use this pump. (You could never do this with a double electric like, say a Pump in Style Advanced, too noisy.) I suppose if you wanted, you could save the milk, but to be honest, because you have so little time to do the pumping and no time to clean pumping parts or toss the pumping parts into the fridge, in your shoes, I would start out with just pumping and dumping. My main concern would be to keep the supply up so that you have enough milk supply to breastfeed your baby on the days that you are not working. Then, after a few days, I think you might find that you can actually get away with pumping while there are browsing customers in the store. The Isis is really that unobtrusive.

So go to Target and take a look at the Isis, and see if it meets your needs. It is very inexpensive, so you have little to risk by trying it. The only disadvantage is that you will eventually get hand cramps from so much repetitive motion, but this is a good way to start. Then eventually, you will figure out modifications to this plan that will work better for you, like maybe a battery operated single pump.

By the way, the Whisper Wear is indeed quieter than the Pump In Style, but it is by no means silent, and I think it might be too noisy for what you need.

[Katie T]

You can totally make it work. I agree that YOU will get uncomfortable until you "train" your breasts that you don't need the milk during working hours. I would check with your insurance because some will pay for a pump for you. I would get a double electric pump personally and you can do both sides in under 10 minutes. If you don't have a fridge handy but want to keep the milk for your baby a lunch size cooler with some cold packs will work just fine.

Good luck to you, you can make it happen!