Venting

[chellemarie]

I have one week left of maternity leave and then I'm back fulltime on the 14th. I was going to talk to my employer about being part-time, but one of my coworkers emailed me with a mini-rant about my fill-in not being there full-time. Eek.

I'm worried about keeping up with 100% breastmilk. I'm SO concerned about that. I've got a few feedings worth frozen and I still pump every day...I'll have to pump morning, afternoon and night when I go back...hopefully that will be enough for my little piggy.

It's so difficult. He just really started smiling at us this week. I got the first pictures of him smiling today. And now I have to go. UGH!

I know I have it easier than some...I co-sleep and dh is going to sidecar the crib (he doesn't sleep as well with ds with us). I can go nurse ds on my lunch hour and I don't anticipate problems with my employer re: pumping at work. But it still seems very unfair to leave him with someone else. We just haven't found any other option.

[captain optimism]

YAY! He's SMILING! Yaaaaay!

Okay, I teared up a little about the smiling. I know how much you were looking forward to that.

I'm dealing with going back to work, too. I've worked 3 days this week. I have no advice. All I can say is, why the hell didn't I anticipate how hard this was going to be? And I love my job, and my husband seems to do a great job with the day care.

So I totally empathize.

I compete with myself at work about how much milk I can get each pumping! So far my record is still 8oz. at a double pumping session.

[singermom]

I know it is worth it, but boy, pumping is sure the pits sometimes...I never get out as much as I hope to. I've also decided that the less frozen breast milk I have to deal with in the morning, the better my whole day goes...

All I can say is just keep it up, and be grateful for the flexibility if you can pump easily and nurse during the day.

My first month back was horrible...I hated it so much, and practically cried every day. And this was with my second, so I knew what I was getting into! But it did get easier.

Good luck!

Mia

[chellemarie]

captain...thanks for the YAY.
I was looking forward to those smiles...so much I can't even tell you. I was beginning to worry that something wasn't "there". Terribly hard to admit...but true. Ugh!

I told DH about having anxiety about going to work...he's being understanding, at least. Unfortunately, that doesn't make him any richer.

the LOSER!

[ebaby]

You can do it!
Nurse very very frequently whe you are with babe and pump pump pump for when you are not. Sneak out at lunch and go to the babe and nurse!
The reason I always push for at the breast nursing is because bm is by design. Each time babe is at the breast, milk is produced for what he needs next.
I found that after I went back that ds nursed more at night and on weekends. Just stick with it!!!
You can do it!!

I would also reconsider speaking with your boss. You never know, and being honest with him may reap some rewards. (unless the guy is a total wanker)
I wish you all the best!
K

[asherah]

It IS hard at first.. but it can be done.
And once you get into a routine at work, it gets easier.

I was able to get more and more milk as I pumped in regular sessions at work and my body started to "know" when milk would be needed.

My co-workers and boss learned when I would be away.. and worked around it.

Yes, I miss my boy.. but I remind myself all the time that I am doing this for him.. for my family.

And he is really bonded with his daddy and grandma... and I think that's a good thing.

(((HUGS))) it'll be ok.

[tracymom]

You didn't anticipate it

I'm dealing with going back to work, too. I've worked 3 days this week. I have no advice. All I can say is, why the hell didn't I anticipate how hard this was going to be? And I love my job, and my husband seems to do a great job with the day care.

So I totally empathize.

I compete with myself at work about how much milk I can get each pumping! So far my record is still 8oz. at a double pumping session. [/B]

Okay, give yourself a break! You didn't anticipate it because there's no way you could.

Sorry, I just had to jump in and say that!

There's just no way to know how hard it is or isn't going to be ahead of time. I have always loved my work and I was MISERABLE for the first few weeks after DS #1 was born. But cosleeping and lots of cuddle time definitely help everybody!

[Threefold]

Just wanted to jump in and say--I've been there! I would always seem to burst in to tears on the drive home . I guess I was just so relieved at knowing I'd be seeing DS soon and so upset that I'd ever had to leave in the first place. DH was unemplyed at the time and not looking too terribly hard, though he was not a SAHD. I didn't have such a good attitude towards him: which didn't help things.
The first week I went back, DS went from sleeping 6 hours at night to waking every 45 minutes. So he had his way of making sure he got his breast time in.
I'll be thinking of you!!!

[Mere]

I want to be the optimist here and say that pumping may work out fine for you! I know it can be different for everyone, but pumping was absolutely no problem for me - in fact, I always pumped more than enough. I started out pumping 2x a day (I was also able to nurse at lunch) and each session would only take about 10 minutes, start to finish. I think getting your body on a pumping schedule is key to success - that, and starting early on like you are.

[QueenSheba'sMom]

I realy miss pumping at work. I would go into an empty room, pump, read, think, relax, meditate.

and, as the captain mentioned, I competed with myself for a good output.

Another way you can look at it is transition time before going back to a full work schedule- time that you wouldn't otherwise have to reflect on motherhood and just relax

your own sweet time