Need support from working mamas

[Oceanjones]

I was just offered a job that pays pretty well. My son is only 3.5 mos and I had no intention to go to work unless he could be with me. I'm really financially strapped though and this would be a great opportunity for me as a single parent.
I have never been able to pump in the past. Truthfully though I only tried it when my oldest was a baby (she's 12) and only once or twice and it wasn't a necessity so I gave up. I don't know what I should do and could really use some support from other moms that have had to make the decision to work. I'd much rather stay home with my baby but am afraid that my little family is going to sink if I don't find a way to compromise. I'm scared and feeling guilty about the possibility of having to leave him so early in his life when I know he needs me more than anything. What a heart wrenching decision to have to make!
Please help me decide what's right!

[emilysmama]

Congratulations on the job offer! You'll make the right decision in the end. Only you know your personal circumstances well enough to know what that decision should be. If you decide to take the job, don't fill yourself with guilt by thinking of it as leaving your children. Think of it as doing what you need so that your family can do better than just survive. If you do take the job, think of this is your family's future.

As far as pumping is concerned, just because pumping for the occasional bottle didn't work, doesn't mean that pumping for work won't succeed. It's different, and once/if you do decide to take the job, there are many people who can give you some suggestions so that you will be more likely to succeed with pumping.

[Doodadsmom]

Hi...I'm afraid I can't speak to your decision re: work...that's a hard one! But you might want to check out www.kellymom.com for pumping tips if you do take the job. You may also want to google the Marmet Technique of hand expression - maybe that would work for you if pumping doesn't.

[gwynthfair]

Originally Posted by Oceanjones

I was just offered a job that pays pretty well. My son is only 3.5 mos and I had no intention to go to work unless he could be with me. I'm really financially strapped though and this would be a great opportunity for me as a single parent.
I have never been able to pump in the past. Truthfully though I only tried it when my oldest was a baby (she's 12) and only once or twice and it wasn't a necessity so I gave up. I don't know what I should do and could really use some support from other moms that have had to make the decision to work. I'd much rather stay home with my baby but am afraid that my little family is going to sink if I don't find a way to compromise. I'm scared and feeling guilty about the possibility of having to leave him so early in his life when I know he needs me more than anything. What a heart wrenching decision to have to make!
Please help me decide what's right!

Can you put off starting the job for a couple weeks or a month? That would would give you a chance to practice pumping, build a freezer stash and prepare emotionally for being away from your baby. I would definitely get a double electric pump and start pumping asap.

[quirkylayne]

Good luck with your decision. If you do decide to buy a pump I would recommend Medela or Ameda, double electric. It seems like alot of money up front but if you buy a cheaper one and it doesn't work for you...

[Dov'sMom]

Remember, pumping while feeding means you won't get much -- when you're at work, you're pumping instead of feeding. Also, it takes a couple of days of extra pumping to start getting extra milk, so you should expect some dry pumps...

[ChasingPeace]

When my dd was only 2 mo, I unexpectedly had to return to work early because of some family circumstances. I did not have any milk bank built up, and my dd wouldn't take bottles. But it all worked out (I had pumped when I returned to work after her older brother's birth, so it was easier because of that). I agree that a good pump is essential. I would also practice at home before going to work. I would pump and then have dh or MIL feed her the expressed milk. The Breastflow bottle is good. Good luck with your decision!