breastfeeding and working (7mo old)

[Summer1216]

Right now my son just hit the 4-month mark. In 3 months I'll be going back to work, but I really want to continue breast feeding him (at that point he'll be 7 months old). He strongly resists taking a bottle, though we tried really hard to get him to take one a day. He just wont.

I just got a job as a university prof, and will be teaching 18 hours a week (plus 4-6 office hours) and hopefully can do my prep work from home. It works out to roughly being away from the house for 4-6 hours per day. Maximum I'd be gone, without being able to come home and feed him would be 8 hours... but that'd be a rare day.

DS is a total snacker - though I've never tried to put him on a schedule (no need, I'm home all the time). He's already showing strong interest in food, though I haven't let him try it yet.

I want to know how long (at 7 months old) he can reasonably go without breast milk - if he's being fed solids between feedings.

Thanks!

[PuppyPanties]

I just started work this week myself. My DD is 4 months old and has been refusing the bottle for the past month and half. What we learned though, is that she'll take milk when we put it on a teaspoon!!! Though it is quite messy! Have you thought to try that? 

at 3 months DD could go 5-6 hours sometimes between feedings (which everyone tells me is great). So I'm guessing at 7 months it just depends on the baby?? Good luck momma!

[Summer1216]

I had time today to do some extra research so I thought I'd throw this link out there...

I don't necessarily agree with everything they wrote, but it makes me feel better about leaving him for up to 6 hours with just fruits/cereals.

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/breastfeedinginfo/a/aanho17.htm

Three or four good nursings during a 24 hour period plus a variety of solid foods gives the baby all he needs, nutritionally, and thus he does not need any other type of milk when you are at your outside job. Of course, solid foods can be mixed with expressed milk or other milk, but this is not necessary.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Summer1216 

I had time today to do some extra research so I thought I'd throw this link out there...

I don't necessarily agree with everything they wrote, but it makes me feel better about leaving him for up to 6 hours with just fruits/cereals.

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/breastfeedinginfo/a/aanho17.htm

Three or four good nursings during a 24 hour period plus a variety of solid foods gives the baby all he needs, nutritionally, and thus he does not need any other type of milk when you are at your outside job. Of course, solid foods can be mixed with expressed milk or other milk, but this is not necessary.

I really like Jack Newman, but I don't agree with everything he says.  I do agree that baby (who is over 6 months and eating solids) can be fine with only solids for 6 hours, but I do not agree that a 6-12 month old is fine with only 3-4 nursings in 24 hours. 

We need to remember that nursing is not just about nutrition, and it is normal for babies to 'reverse cycle' and nurse every 2 hours when Mama is home, to make up for the time she is away.

OP, at 7 months your baby may be fine for 4 hours with no food at all!  Or 6 hours with solids and some water in a cup, or your milk in a cup.  And it would be completely normal for him to want to nurse lots and lots when you get back home