Working and Pumping

Thanks for the reply on reverse cycle. I have a few more questions and then I wanted to run my plan of action by you guys for when I return to work. 

I start putting Xavier to bed around 730 first with a bath then he eats (both breast) and is usually asleep by 845-900. He gets up at 2-3 (eat on one breast) to get then again 5-6 (one breast). Since he is doing well sleeping wise at night will it be hard to do the reverse cycle? Should I wait to see how he does at daycare before trying this?

I return to work in one week. This week I am going to drop Xavier off at daycare, at the time I normally would for work 645, just for a few hours, 4 at the most. I want to do this everyday this week so next week will not be such a shock to either of us. 

I am exclusively breastfeeding so he does not take a bottle very well. I have a few bags of milk stored up but this week I will be pumping more with him away. When I return to work here is my plan:

0600 breastfeed (I will still try even if he just ate at 5ish)

645 drop off at daycare

900 pump

1200 pump

300 pump

445-500 pick Xavier up and feed as soon as I get home. Then of course breastfeed all night and on the weekends.

How does this sound? Also wanted to know if I should be pumping at night now that he is sleeping longer? Some days I have to cause they are so full they wake me up and hurt. But should I pump in between the time he goes to bed at 2?

I am SO nervous that I wont get this right! He is getting surgery to remove the right lower lobe in his lung and I just feel obligated to him to do it. I have read just about every post on here and it does not seem to help my nerves, LOL.

Oh and one more question, he normally eats on one side at a time. Should I pump on one while he eats? Today I did this and the first time got about 3oz from my L while he ate on the r. Then later I switched sides and only got about 1 oz. Is this ok? When I pump at night (usually at midnight) I get about 4-5 oz is that normal?

So I know this post is everywhere but not sure how to scale it back or make it less confusing....SORRY.

Thank You , Kristi

Your schedule sounds like a good place to start.  I would say, if he doesn't want to eat at 6, I would pump at that time instead (or pump the other side if he does take one side).  I don't think you need to pump the other side every time he nurses, though ... that can get nutso ;)

As for pumping in the evening after he's gone down, I'd see how it goes.  If he's not taking a lot during the day and you're not having any trouble supplying his bottles, then you certainly don't have to.  However, some moms find that a bedtime pump (their bedtime) helps make up a few ounces they may be short. 

I also recommend keeping up the morning pump and (if you do one) the bedtime pump on the weekends, so that your body is used to that demand, and you get some extra ounces.

Since most working moms value their sleep, I don't recommend forcing more overnight feeds, but I do suggest encouraging evening feeding to help w/ the reverse cycling.  If he eats frequently during the evening and a couple times overnight, he may well reduce his daytime bottle needs.  You could, though, start a "dream feed" where you feed him just before you go to bed.  This may end up an additional feed, or it may reset his overnight feeding clock.

*SPENCER* 41 year old Mami of a toddler!  

  

  

First of all -- welcome back =)

Second is what jumped out most at me in your post -- the word obligation. It really is a strong word, and I feel if you do this out of "obligation" you'll end up resenting it and stressing yourself out. I don't feel pumping is an obligation, I feel its a gift to my daughter. As silly as it sounds, when I've found myself stressed out because I forgot my pump parts and my husband with two screaming toddlers has to bring them, or I skipped my lunch to pump-- doing this because I want to give my daughter the healthiest and most personal thing I can keeps me going. I'm obligated to provide food for her when I'm not avaliable -- I CHOOSE to provide breastmilk. But, I digress (sorry LOL)

Your schedule looks good to me. I agree with Spencer on adding the morning pump. You can always leave that bottle fresh for daycare. I feed Pepper and then pump, and then feed her one more time right before I leave. I'm usually able to leave my husband his first two bottles fesh ( I usually get the most out of that pump -- about 6 oz)

You can also ask if you can feed him you pick him up at daycare. I know unless my daughter has JUST had a bottle she's usually willing (and very happy) for me to feed her -- even if its just a "HI MOMMY!!! I love you and missed you sooooo much" few minutes of feeding.

I wouldn't worry too much about him not taking a bottle well yet. Pepper takes a bottle like a champ from her daddy when I'm at work, but if she can hear me/see me anywhere in the house she flat out refuses.

I personally don't encourage Pepper to reverse cycle, I feel like if its what she wants to do then so be it, but I don't want to change her schedule off of what she's happy with. We have a few babies here who have done it naturally and it works for them, others stay on a day time schedule and that works for them too. Its all about whatever is eaisest for everyone involved =)

I didn't have too much stored up milk wise when I went back to work. Every day I add about 1 or 2 more bags than she uses, so thats help build up my freezer stash. There are some over achiver moms (SPENCER! LOL!) That have had enough of a feezer stash to feed their LO's for close to a year when they've been done LOL but I just can't get it togehter enough to get that much stored up (what was it.. 11 months Spencer?? LoL)

I'd say if it wakes you up and you're uncomfortable then go ahead and pump, but not to force it if you're comfortable and asleep. Rest is important too! I sometimes work a quick pumping session in before bed, but thats usually just on weekends. I've normally pumped enough during the work week to not even want to look at my pump before bed.

The only time I pump on the other side when she's eating is afterwork if I'm full. Other than that I want to just kick back, relax, and enjoy watching my LO eat. It really is a precious sight =)

I know its futile telling you not to worry-- you're a mom. LOL And I freak out at every single thing that happens. I had a few days when I pumped less than usual on one side and freaked that my supply was dropping, but then two days later I pumped 6oz just from that side... LOL so there's drying up for you! The one thing I have learned is pretty much anything volume wise can be normal. Some women can pump enough to feed 3 babies, others are just constantly fighting to keep up and not deplete a freezer stash. Sometimes I can pump 4oz from each side, other times I can get an ounce and 1/2.. it all depends on how often my LO has eaten (or when I've pumped last), how much I've been drinking (I forget at work sometimes) and how relaxed I am etc.

Best of luck =) Keep us posted!

______________________________________________
Melissa and David-- happily married

I guess I use the word obligated because as when he was just 6 -8 weeks gestation is when his lung tissue did not form correctly. I think or thought that it was something I did wrong for this to happen. I know that what he has is rare and they are not sure why it happens but I do feel obligated as his mother to do what is best for him and breastfeeding is one of those things. I don't think I will ever look at it as a chore or resent what I am doing. I could not protect him from his lung not forming correctly but I can do the very best for him now and that is brestfeeding. I am excited about it and proud of it. He loves his M&M (mommy milk) =)

Thanks for all he advice and support. Tomorrow is the big day for use waking up at the time I would for work and see how it all goes. I think I am going to leave him at daycare for 4 or 5 hours and then pick him up. If I leave him an shorter then we won't be able to see how his eating will be and if he takes the bottle. I am not sure about feeding him there when I pick him up....we live though right down the road so it won't be long before we get home. 

I hope I am one of those that has enough milk at least in the beginning until I get the hang of it.

I will definitly keep you guys posted and thanks so much for your responses.....

I sooooooo know that mommy guilt. I formula fed my son and he ended up with a terrible milk allergy. I'll always wonder if it was my fault =( But in the end we all do the best we can. And know that your sons lung problems are NOT your fault! I can tell just by reading the concern you have for your son that you're a GREAT mom!

BEst of luck tomorrow!!!  I hope your son does well =)

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Melissa and David-- happily married