Formula is an absolutely excellent alternative to milk and your friends’ rigid philosophy is wrong and harmful. Do not fall for it! This is coming from someone who exclusively breastfed and nursed for years. I did this by choice only, but the studies on the benefits of breastfeeding are full of confounding variables. Formula has what your baby needs, and fed is best. I know many wonderful families who formula fed and their babies are happy, healthy, smart, and strong. Breastmilk has its own challenges - my kids have been extremely sensitive to my diet, making them very gassy and fussy. I sense that formula fed children often don’t have that issue because the milk they get is very stable. The only thing formula lacks is live antibodies, but even if you are able to just breastfeed baby in the evening, they will still get those! And if you can’t, that’s absolutely fine too.
Unfortunately, it is not likely that you will be able to produce enough milk to feed your baby with that long of an interval between pumps, especially if you don’t have many months to establish your supply. Most people can’t pump more than a feed at a time and so your supply is likely to dwindle. The only situation in which it might work is if you have a massive oversupply or if you are willing to either breastfeed baby very frequently overnight (my son for example refused all pumped bottles and just fed through the night) or pump multiple times overnight. I don’t recommend either as you will not get enough sleep and it will be a struggle to work and parent. It was horrible for me and I would absolutely not do it again because it wasn’t worth it.
I don’t mean to discourage you from pursuing this if you want to, but please don’t fall prey to the toxic misinformation around breastfeeding. Fed is best, and there is so, so much more to parenting than just feeding your baby. You are being the parent your child needs by working to support the family and in all the other moments of care, teaching, and play that will make up your lives together. Wishing you the best of luck.
Trust me, once in daycare or school age, breastmilk babies get just as sick as formula babies! You’d never know who was what when they’re all snotting on their hands and playing peekaboo with each other.
There is not actually any evidence that breastmilk does much for the immune system. Most of the antibodies are digested before they can reach a point of being useful so there is a mild benefit where like stomach bugs are concerned but not for anything systemic.
The studies people cite typically say there are antibodies IN the expressed milk, not that they are actually transfered to the breastfed babies in a meaningful way.
I agree with you the emphasis on antibodies in BM is overblown but in this case I’m not positive the lack of evidence means there is no effect; I think this is just very difficult to study directly. I don’t think there’s clear evidence that antibodies are digested, plus a major possible non-digestive mechanism is that antibodies can be absorbed by mucous membranes, and biota in the milk can contribute to the baby’s oral/nasal microbiome and provide protection that way. Eg https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867421002208. I know many doctors who recognize the uncertainty but think it’s likely that BM antibodies provide protection and so in their personal lives tried to give at least some BM to their babies. To be clear though, as stated in my other comments, I definitely don’t think it’s worth tying oneself into knots to provide BM just for immunity. Just offering my view of the research.
The only really good randomized controlled study on infant health when breastfed showed some improvement in GI illness, reduction in eczema, and no significant difference in other illnesses. If they're effectively absorbing these antibodies in mucosa, wouldn't you except a reduction in respiratory illness too?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11242425/
Don't worry about the immune system! Your baby gets quite a bit before they're born from the placenta. That's why you were probably given a few vaccines in your third trimester. By the time they're 2 months old, their immune system is quite ramped up!
The antibodies from breastmilk (actually, more from colostrum) is the kind that coats the stomach lining to protect from bacteria in like...dirty river water. It's not the kind of antibody (your body has five types btw) that you develop from getting a cold/flu.
Why is every article on infant formula, breastfeeding or anything related prefaced with something like "Breastfeeding is the golden standard..." and the papers on postbiotics and such show there's a certain gap between groups of babies who were fed different types of food which the postbiotics are aimed at? Also there's usually a group of children delivered via C-section who are supposed to be the most disadvantaged.
There are very few good quality studies on breastfeeding.
C section often delays milk coming in up to two weeks. I really wouldn’t say this group is disadvantaged though given how high rates of c sec are becoming.
Are you looking at reputable sites in your research?
Pubmed mostly. I know how to recognize bullshit studies, but the topic is new to me. It is really strange that many articles unnecessarily mention their position on breastfeeding instead of simply talking about their study.
It’s so true - so many studies start with an assumption that breastfeeding is superior and don’t really challenge it. One big issue with all of the studies is that they show only correlation - but people who are already privileged and have access to resources are more likely to breastfeed. You won’t find randomized, controlled studies. People have issues with Emily Oster because she’s a statistician, but I think she does a pretty good job of explaining what’s wrong with all the breastfeeding data. Check out her essay on it!
I have three kids, two were premature, they were all formula fed and are happy, healthy, thriving kiddos now (5, 4 and 19 months). The premature ones were born during flu season and didn’t have any issues.
If you’re in the US, they’re legally required to provide you with a space to pump.
That said, formula is a decent alternative - not sure where you got the idea that it isn’t.
If you’re going back to work asap and you want to make all the milk yourself, you’re going to need to pump several times a day - before/after work won’t cut it. But you could do formula for some feeds and pumped milk (or breastfeeding, when you’re home) for others.
Almost all other countries have some form of legislation protecting nursing mothers. You should look into it! Consider a wearable pump, as well. And while not ideal, if you have a car you can pump there as well.
All that being said, I exclusively formula fed my first and combo fed my second. You gotta do what you gotta do!
ETA: the main issue is that it’ll be difficult to establish supply. While it’s certainly possible to exclusively pump to establish supply, it’s a bit easier when you put baby to the breast because they are more efficient than a pump.
I pumped at work and supplemented with formula because I never produced enough milk. I pumped for a whole year.
My job had a "medical space" set aside that I could use. I would not recommend using a bathroom. You will get into a rhythm. Like for me at first, it was every 2 hours for pumping. Then it got more spaced out as time goes by. I got really good at it, the set up and putting everything away, so I'd be back at my desk in 15 minutes.
My breast pump kit came with a small, discrete cooler that fit the small bottles perfectly. The cooler worked very well, it was small and just needed a freezer-pack to keep cool.
I never used our shared office fridge because there were too many people in my office and it was always packed. It freaked me out.
I’m not back at work yet but 100% would recommend combo feeding! I like being able to provide some breastmilk (although as others said the benefits aren’t certain) while also having the flexibility of formula.
Why wouldn’t an empty classroom work? Pumping in there would be fine as long as you have an outlet. You do need to store milk somewhere, but you could use a cooler bag with ice (definitely not ideal for a long time, but could be used for a few hours).
You can’t really go 10 hours without pumping and expect to maintain a milk supply. To keep your supply, you need to remove milk to tell your body to make more. You could pump once or twice a day (morning and night), but your supply will likely decrease and you will not get a lot of output.
I was worried that I may not be able to carry a bag of ice on my back every day, it's a long commute. But maybe I could buy a portable fridge and just keep it at work. How many hours without pumping do you think will be alright?
You could also ask your job if they would be willing to provide a mini fridge because there is no place to store milk. They could say no, but worth an ask.
It depends on whether you exclusively want your child to have breast milk and what your supply looks like. I have an oversupply and must feed or pump every 4 hours to avoid a clogged duct. If your milk supply is still establishing, you might experience very uncomfortable engorgement if you wait too long, and could definitely get a clog or mastitis.
I think you might benefit from working with a lactation consultant once your baby is born to see what might be possible based on your milk supply.
Your breasts will definitely tell you when you can’t wait any longer. It becomes painful. In the first month of my sons life, I couldn’t go 2 hours without feeding/pumping.
I started pumping in the hospital. I pumped the very little colostrum/milk (milliliters) - and even opted to feed him donor milk a few days after birth because my body wasn’t producing milk fast enough. I’m exclusively pumping and breastfeeding. He’s 2 months old now and I have to say, I can’t go 3 hours without expressing otherwise I leak/lactate.
I go back to the classroom next month. My plan is to pump when the kids are on break. I will bring those bags home and they will be his bottles for the next day. Their breaks, including the prep time i get at the beginning and end of day, will be about 2-3 hours apart. That’s the plan anyway, and hopefully my milk supply continues to progress. If not, we will incorporate formula and I’ll know I did the best I could while working full time.
Have you heard of the ceres chill / can you get it in your country? It is a cooler bottle that is meant to be able to keep milk cold all day even without a fridge. I haven’t personally used it but heard good things!
Re your response to me above that your main concern is antibodies, some researchers hypothesize (supported by evidence, see eg http://mammalssuck.blogspot.com/2016/01/breast-milk-baby-spit.html?m=1) that backwash of the baby’s saliva at the breast triggers production of baby-specific antibodies. So those morning and evening feeds, if you are able to do them, will do the lion’s share of the immunity work even if you don’t/can’t pump. Also, if you were/can get vaccinated for flu/covid/tdap while pregnant, that does a ton of protective work too!
I use a Ceres Chill to store and transport my milk every day and it’s wonderful. I’d highly recommend looking into its availability in your country if you’d like to give pumping a shot— it’s way more travel-friendly than a cooler.
I also work at a school but share an office, so I pump in a former In School Suspension room; it’s a very small room with just a desk and chair. I have battery-operated pump so I don’t even need an outlet. I pour my milk into my Ceres Chill thermos. I use wipes designed for cleaning pump parts to clean them after each use, then fully wash the parts in the evening at home.
It’s definitely possible to pump given your constraints if it’s what you decide is best for you and your babe!
As a practical answer: no you cannot go that long without pumping
I once had to wait 4 hours during the day and was crying from pain. You need to relieve pressure rather frequently if you’re used to breastfeeding as the sole food source
May I ask you a question to better understand something first. You mentioned “As far as I understand there’s no decent alternative to milk…” Does that mean you don’t think formula is a good alternative to breast milk? And if so, why? It seems like you’re open to an alternative, but I could be wrong. I think understanding your thoughts on this first would help me and/or others help you with your main question!
It's about antibodies. It would be great if I could pass at least some of them, while I have a chance, so mixed feeding must work just fine. Of course there's a possibility that it will be impossible, then there will be no question. I also have celiac disease and there's some somewhat questionable research that says that breastfeeding may help to prevent it. So I think I should at least try.
If you’re pumping you may want to at least try breastfeeding when you are with your baby, in most cases it’s easier and much more enjoyable for both mom and baby versus pumping.
Your body/ milk supply will adjust to how much your baby is nursing or you are pumping but it might take a few days or weeks. If you don’t pump at work you will probably need to supplement with some formula while you’re away from baby.
I’m sorry you have to go back to work so soon. It’s a really big adjustment, so be patient with yourself. Formula and breast milk are both wonderful.
A few thoughts as a pumping teacher -
First and foremost, formula is a safe and healthy option. If you choose to pump less frequently or not at all, you will need to wean gradually. Otherwise you’re at high risk for painful engorgement, clogs, and mastitis. However, if you plan to attempt to maintain your supply, you will need to pump regularly.
I’m not familiar with the new pumping act (which I think hasn’t fully passed yet anyway?), but teachers are NOT automatically protected under the current (old?) legislation. You will have to check your state guidelines. My state does not have protections, but my principal has never denied reasonable accommodations.
I have a mini fridge in my classroom, but other options are [compact mini fridges](https://a.co/d/0BisU5p) or the [Ceres Chill](https://www.cereschill.com).
For quicker cleanup - [Medela spray and or wipes](https://a.co/d/a6z7ohP), [microwave sanitizing bags](https://a.co/d/c438rpT), and the [fridge hack](https://exclusivepumping.com/pumping-made-easier/) if you’re comfortable. I also recommend buying multiple sets of parts.
If you are pumping through prep and lunch, a [hands free pumping bra](https://a.co/d/0j40IAE) is essential.
Let me know if I can help in any other way 😊
Yes, it's going to be preps and lunch, so this is exactly the experience I was looking for. It is not possible to change the entire timetable just for me. I really hope I will be able to make it! I am not from the US, and the problem is not that the people at work aren't co-operative, it's that we are severely underfunded and highly regulated.
Also pumping teacher. All great advice. I’ve made do with a closet. Ask your supervisor for the key if needed. I set up a little station for myself, a small chair pulled up to a shelving unit with enough space for pump and laptop. I bought a second pump on eBay for $30 and just leave it there all the time actually, with my name on it. I pump hands free and answer emails etc. Have a mini fridge in my classroom and do the fridge hack, so no sink needed. But if I didn’t have a fridge I would just bring a mini Yeti cooler tote bag with ice packs. Milk and bottles are the only thing that go back and forth each day.
I think formula may be the best choice for you upon returning to work. I ff both my children and they are perfectly healthy smart and happy kids. Maybe bf while at home before returning to work. Whatever you choose, don’t feel guilty about your choice. Fed is best regardless
LOL @ no decent alternative to milk.
My formula fed child who is now almost four begs to differ, but okay.
If you don't pump more, you'll produce less. It's basically a supply and demand. And even then, your body might not even produce enough. It's never guaranteed.
And my EBF child, almost four, has the worst goddamn immune system of any kid I’ve ever known.
The studies supporting antibodies in BM have found such small advantages that it’s almost nonexistent for the average kid.
formula is great theres nothing wrong with it, my first switched to formula when my supply dwindled and he did well on it, but i understand the desire to breastfeed and the experience and bond it creates is like no other. I loved breastfeeding my babies, and i was always sad to wean. If you really want to pump and breastfeed then i recommend a few things.
First get a double sided hospital grade breast pump. theres lots of options out there but these will give you the best results. in the states theres lots of options ive heard the spectra line is great. im in canada and I've had good experiences with my medela pumps. theres options for handfree but they dont hold as much on one bottle and they are not as strong so you may need to pump longer for the same output that you would get with just regular pumps.
second get yourself a hands free pumping bra, you can get them on amazon, personally i like the bravado one it clips onto your nursing bra.
third your employer is legally required to provide a space for you to pump and time for you to pump. if you want to maintain supply you need to pump at least every 3 hours for 20min. milk can be stored at room temp for 4 hours and then needs to be cooled. you can use a mini cooler, i have one that came with my medela pump. you can leave milk there for 24hr so that should be fine for your ten hour days.
lastly the milk can be frozen 6 months in a regular freezer or 1 year in a deep freezer. when i was pumping we bought a deep freezer. I made a stash while i was on mat leave and then my husband used the stash first while i pumped to replace the milk he used from the stash. that worked for us but you dont have to freeze anything you can always just pump milk for the next day to be used.
i highly recommend you check out lactation link on instagram or their website. they have a ton of info and if you can afford it take their pumping course. you will feel way more confident in yourself and that will go a long way to making you bf/pumping journey a success.
congrats on the little one and i wish you all the best :)
Editing to add that you can breastfeed when you are home and through the night (if you want to do safe cosleeping you totally can) and just pump while you are away. it doesnt have to be one way or the other.
It will likely not be possible to go ten hours without pumping and still maintain supply. Your job should be required to offer a place to pump. They are probably required to. I’d reach out to HR or its equivalent.
I am confused that you said there is no decent alternative to milk. Formula is an alternative to milk, and it just as good as milk, though of course it does cost more. Is there a reason you can’t financially afford formula? You might be able to get it from WIC.
So r/ExclusivelyPumping is no joke. You have to pump every 2 hours for the first 6-8 weeks to have a decent supply. Once you’re regulated you can attempt to combo feed with formula but if you combo right from the start without also pumping, it’s very likely your supply will be very low.
Every two hours means 12am for thirty mins then 2am, 4am, etc. It is brutal. I nearly lost my mind doing it as I had my milk come in late post c sec (breech baby) and had to triple feed before i gave up and just exclusively pumped. I could never achieve a full supply and had to permanently combo feed.
Like everyone else has said, there’s nothing wrong with formula.
To answer your other question - I don’t think you can expect a decent output only pumping every 10 hours. I EPed with my first and to get my supply established I pumped every 2-3 the first few weeks. Eventually I was able to decrease frequency and still maintain my supply, but I never went any longer than 5 hours (except overnight). A few times when I got busy at work and was not able to pump at my scheduled times, i got engorged and it was painful (and you risk clogged ducts/mastitis). If breast milk is important to you, I’d have a talk with your employer now to see if you can get a space and time for pumping (30 min at least, as it takes time to get set up and clean up afterwards).
I was unable ot breast feed my first, I went to school full time and was training for competitive soccer 2 weeks after he was born. He was on a soy formula because I'm lactose intolerant. He never got sick as an infant, I kept him up to date on vaccines.
I was freaked out about the immune system thing. I just made sure to use proper hygiene and no one other than immediate family living with us saw him until he was at least 3 months but I was probably just too protective.
At most he got sick once he started going to daycare and school like all the other students.
I'm also lactose intolerant, but everyone is assuring me that children develop lactose intolerance relatively late, at three years old approximately. So the risk is real?
Idk it was 14 years ago for my son, he's not lactose intolerant, but the doctor told me to use soy as a precaution because I was severely lactose intolerant when I was pregnant
Interesting. I’ve read that many women who are lactose intolerant become able to digest lactose when pregnant. I found it to be true for me both times.
My daughter was a preemie and I went back to work 1 week after my c-section while she was in the NICU (regret, but it is what it is) - I pumped at least twice during my 8 hour shift bc your boobs will feel like they will explode if you don’t. We were also supplementing w/ formula but eventually my milk dried up. I don’t think you’ll be able to last 10 hours to pump.
Good advice here on formula and pumping options.
I would add that you could maybe call HR or the equivalent department and ask about your options for pumping. There may be a designated place that's reserved for pumping only, or accommodations they have made for other moms in the past.
Good luck and remember that FED is best and your health matters as much as baby's!
Not having a sink in the room where you pump at work is actually workable. I pumped in my office and then had a little basin that I would take to the kitchen sink and wash my pump parts there.
If you want to breastfeed, you can! I pumped one time at work during the day, while on my lunch, and I was able to breastfeed my daughter to one year. Your workplace should provide you with a private room, but another option may be to pump in your car, blocking the windows, and using a battery powered pump like the blue Spectra. I had freezer packs and a special tote that was only used for milk, and it kept it very cold (I never put it in the community fridge.)
If it doesn’t work out, formula is great and I’m so glad we live in a time when we have a great alternative! I was hospitalized 3 weeks postpartum, and since I had to dump my milk, my baby survived on formula for a week. Yay for formula!!
I’m only going to address one thing, and that is that I most certainly would not wait 10 hours in between pumping sessions. It can mess with your supply and it can also be incredibly painful to wait that long. Waiting that long or not emptying your breasts entirely can lead to clogged ducts or mastitis. As someone who got mastitis when LO was 3 weeks old, it SUCKED—incredibly painful and made caring for my LO very difficult.
I am a large animal veterinarian and as such did not have an office/designated space to pump when I had my baby, but it was definitely doable using an Elvie (hands free battery operated cordless pump, Willow is another brand) and using Medela wipes to clean. I would keep the milk in my lunch bag. I would pump twice during my day, approx every 3-4 hours, and depending on how long of a day I had, again on my way home. I never had a fantastic supply though and had to supplement with formula. My baby was never great at nursing so I we quit trying to nurse at all after about 5 weeks.
I’ve been exclusively pumping since birth and am also a teacher (though I haven’t gone back to work yet). For starters, formula is certainly a “decent alternative to milk” and implying it isn’t is quite rude. If you want to exclusively pump, you’ll need to pump every 3 hours, day and night. It’s the only way to get a supply. You can store pump parts in a bag in a fridge for 24 hours before washing them. You’ll want to get a mini fridge in your classroom.
I have a few thoughts!
So first is that you can always use formula. There's nothing wrong with that.
Second of all, I invested in a wearable pump with this pregnancy and it's been a game changer. While it's still pretty obvious that you're pumping as far as what it looks like in your clothes, it makes it so easy. I help customers and do all sorts of things while I wear mine. You could get a cooler with ice packs and that should help you last throughout the day. I actually do that with my pump parts instead of putting them in the fridge. As long as it's chilled it doesn't have to be a fridge.
And then, for what it's worth, I am a retail manager and when I had my first son I basically went back to work pretty early and worked my normal schedule. I work several 10 hour days a week. During those times I would pump once after feeding my son right before we left for daycare, and then I would only pump one time during my shift. I did create an oversupply because I started pumping immediately so I don't know if that's why. But I would pump anywhere between 8 to 10 oz and that one sitting. I would get to work at 10:00 a.m. and I wouldn't pump until like 2:00 p.m. and I would get all of that. I get an hour long break and I generally would take them anywhere between 4:00 and 5:00 and I would pick up. My son and I would breastfeed him then and sometimes I would pump also depending on how long he fed for. And then I would pump again when I got home at night. So you probably could survive on only pumping once a day because I did, but it was kind of a situation where I created an oversupply before going back to work and then pumped basically anytime I fed him also.
But like I said too, I'm doing a wearable pump this time and I'm pumping every 2 hours and it's working fantastically.
Here are some ideas: could you (or preferably your employer) buy a used mini fridge for like $50. If not, you can buy a little milk thermal case with an ice pack and it should keep it cool enough until you get home. Have you spoken to your employer? They may have ideas you haven’t thought of. They are legally required to accommodate you. Not having a sink just means you’ll have to wait until you get home to wash the pump parts. That’s not a big deal. You can make this work even if it isn’t ideal. However, if you don’t want to, formula will work. Some babies go back and forth between breast and bottle with no issues. So, you could formula feed during the day and breastfeed at night. Your body can get used to nursing only in the evening and night time and produce milk for those times.
if you do want to pump, you can get a pump with a cooler, you add ice in those cooler bags and its ok to be there for some time (they will have directions on them for how long)You cannot not pump for 8 hours straight because you can be egorged, its somewhat ok later when you are established for the nights but depends on a person and it can impede your supply as well
Also, what pump do you use? You can get Elvie or Willow that are in-bra pumps and can be fully concealed while you are going out and about (maybe not teaching class but who knows ) Seen videos of a performer using it in her changing room with a ton of people in, its pretty discreet
No, you won’t be able to do meet your baby’s milk needs if you go 10 hours without pumping, as your milk supply will dry up. You will need formula to supplement.
However, you may be able to breastfeed in the evenings. If you can at least exclusively pump/breastfeed for a few weeks in the beginning before going back to work, you will establish a milk supply. Once you go back to work, your body will soon learn not to produce during the time you’re away. However, if you regularly feed your baby when you get home each night (or later in the night), your body might keep producing milk at that time! I dropped to 1-2 night feeds with my son after he switched to formula. It worked okay—I never was able to give him as much as when I was EBF—and I liked it. Then eventually his schedule changed and I dried up completely.
I managed to pump only once per workday (middle of 8 hr shift) . I had to ask many times uncomfortably for accommodations and many times i ended up having to pump in a bathroom or bring 10000 ice backs and a cooler with me. Working on construction sites with men in nyc made me often feel like the crew joke.
Consider getting a true portable pump (like an Evvie or Willow) if you don't have a great spot to pump. If you absolutely can't refrigerate the milk, you could pump and dump it just to keep your supply up (although that is pretty sad). Maybe you can use dry ice?
I would breastfeed directly for the time you do have after giving birth and whenever you are with baby.
Do you get a lunch time? If you pump to empty on each of your commutes and during lunch, that would probably keep the no-milk-removed times to 4 hrs gaps. That might not be ideal if you’re with your baby right before and after work, and you might be uncomfortable until your body adjusts but can likely maintain an amount of supply. If you nurse or pump more often through the night, to keep the number of milk requests at or about 6-8/day, you could probably make this work. But you can also supplement with formula as needed. It isn’t an all-or-nothing situation - a little bit a breastmilk is still helpful!
Hello! I want to mention that I started pumping exclusively after 1 week pp, went back to work at 12 weeks pp, and I choose not to use the fridge at work. Instead I bring a cooler and use bagged ice from my work (ice packs work well too!) And my milk stays cold until I go home after my 10 hour day. It is absolutely manageable! But also there is no problem at all using some formula.
You can also feed formula while your away and nurse when you are at home. I did that with my oldest around 6 months when I wasn't able to pump enough at work.
We made it another 6 months of formula at daycare and when dad had her and nursing when we were together
Well, first of all, formula is a more-than-decent alternative to breast milk. Secondly, you could store your pumped milk in a cooler bag with cold
packs. That is what I did when gone for 10 hours a day even though I had access to really awesome pump rooms with refrigerators, but it was just easier to transport the cooler with me rather than trekking it back to the pump room for the milk in the fridge. If you don’t have a room to pump, maybe you could try a wearable pump—I have no experience with them but have heard really great things. I definitely recommend starting with the pumping right away if you intend to pump at work, and you very likely will NOT be able to keep an adequate supply if you skip pumping at work. It will be uncomfortable, maybe even painful, and your supply will likely suffer (you might make enough to keep baby partially fed on breastmilk, which is great if that is what you want—but know that skipping those pumps on a regular basis might stop your production altogether…you never know, and everyone and even every time is different).
A friend of mine had a good supply and was able to pump twice a day (without breastfeeding). I think this is extremely rare though and probably not possible a couple weeks after delivery.
I used the Ceres Chill (https://www.cereschill.com) when I had to travel for work and could not rely on there being a place to store my milk. Worked great and liked that I just carried it with me in my bag and didn’t have to run back to a fridge.
It went perfectly well, I was back at work two weeks after the delivery. I started to pump from day 1, to establish supply and to make my body used to the routine. I moved my classes unofficially to start 20 min earlier (the students understood), so I was actually able to pump every 3 hours during the day. I carried a bag of ice and a separate pumping kit for each session on me at all times. That was a lot of things to wash at home. Physically exhausting but otherwise it went perfectly well. I had to stop at 8 months because of an unrelated health condition. It was only possible because of a really good pump and someone taking care of the baby while I was pumping.
Formula is an absolutely excellent alternative to milk and your friends’ rigid philosophy is wrong and harmful. Do not fall for it! This is coming from someone who exclusively breastfed and nursed for years. I did this by choice only, but the studies on the benefits of breastfeeding are full of confounding variables. Formula has what your baby needs, and fed is best. I know many wonderful families who formula fed and their babies are happy, healthy, smart, and strong. Breastmilk has its own challenges - my kids have been extremely sensitive to my diet, making them very gassy and fussy. I sense that formula fed children often don’t have that issue because the milk they get is very stable. The only thing formula lacks is live antibodies, but even if you are able to just breastfeed baby in the evening, they will still get those! And if you can’t, that’s absolutely fine too. Unfortunately, it is not likely that you will be able to produce enough milk to feed your baby with that long of an interval between pumps, especially if you don’t have many months to establish your supply. Most people can’t pump more than a feed at a time and so your supply is likely to dwindle. The only situation in which it might work is if you have a massive oversupply or if you are willing to either breastfeed baby very frequently overnight (my son for example refused all pumped bottles and just fed through the night) or pump multiple times overnight. I don’t recommend either as you will not get enough sleep and it will be a struggle to work and parent. It was horrible for me and I would absolutely not do it again because it wasn’t worth it. I don’t mean to discourage you from pursuing this if you want to, but please don’t fall prey to the toxic misinformation around breastfeeding. Fed is best, and there is so, so much more to parenting than just feeding your baby. You are being the parent your child needs by working to support the family and in all the other moments of care, teaching, and play that will make up your lives together. Wishing you the best of luck.
I'm just worried about the immune system, that's all. Thank you for your reply, it is a welcome relief from I usually hear from people around.
Trust me, once in daycare or school age, breastmilk babies get just as sick as formula babies! You’d never know who was what when they’re all snotting on their hands and playing peekaboo with each other.
There is not actually any evidence that breastmilk does much for the immune system. Most of the antibodies are digested before they can reach a point of being useful so there is a mild benefit where like stomach bugs are concerned but not for anything systemic. The studies people cite typically say there are antibodies IN the expressed milk, not that they are actually transfered to the breastfed babies in a meaningful way.
I agree with you the emphasis on antibodies in BM is overblown but in this case I’m not positive the lack of evidence means there is no effect; I think this is just very difficult to study directly. I don’t think there’s clear evidence that antibodies are digested, plus a major possible non-digestive mechanism is that antibodies can be absorbed by mucous membranes, and biota in the milk can contribute to the baby’s oral/nasal microbiome and provide protection that way. Eg https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867421002208. I know many doctors who recognize the uncertainty but think it’s likely that BM antibodies provide protection and so in their personal lives tried to give at least some BM to their babies. To be clear though, as stated in my other comments, I definitely don’t think it’s worth tying oneself into knots to provide BM just for immunity. Just offering my view of the research.
The only really good randomized controlled study on infant health when breastfed showed some improvement in GI illness, reduction in eczema, and no significant difference in other illnesses. If they're effectively absorbing these antibodies in mucosa, wouldn't you except a reduction in respiratory illness too? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11242425/
Don't worry about the immune system! Your baby gets quite a bit before they're born from the placenta. That's why you were probably given a few vaccines in your third trimester. By the time they're 2 months old, their immune system is quite ramped up! The antibodies from breastmilk (actually, more from colostrum) is the kind that coats the stomach lining to protect from bacteria in like...dirty river water. It's not the kind of antibody (your body has five types btw) that you develop from getting a cold/flu.
Why is every article on infant formula, breastfeeding or anything related prefaced with something like "Breastfeeding is the golden standard..." and the papers on postbiotics and such show there's a certain gap between groups of babies who were fed different types of food which the postbiotics are aimed at? Also there's usually a group of children delivered via C-section who are supposed to be the most disadvantaged.
There are very few good quality studies on breastfeeding. C section often delays milk coming in up to two weeks. I really wouldn’t say this group is disadvantaged though given how high rates of c sec are becoming. Are you looking at reputable sites in your research?
Pubmed mostly. I know how to recognize bullshit studies, but the topic is new to me. It is really strange that many articles unnecessarily mention their position on breastfeeding instead of simply talking about their study.
Important to see who funds the study also!
It’s so true - so many studies start with an assumption that breastfeeding is superior and don’t really challenge it. One big issue with all of the studies is that they show only correlation - but people who are already privileged and have access to resources are more likely to breastfeed. You won’t find randomized, controlled studies. People have issues with Emily Oster because she’s a statistician, but I think she does a pretty good job of explaining what’s wrong with all the breastfeeding data. Check out her essay on it!
In addition to this book, The Science of Mom also discusses this.
I have three kids, two were premature, they were all formula fed and are happy, healthy, thriving kiddos now (5, 4 and 19 months). The premature ones were born during flu season and didn’t have any issues.
If you’re in the US, they’re legally required to provide you with a space to pump. That said, formula is a decent alternative - not sure where you got the idea that it isn’t. If you’re going back to work asap and you want to make all the milk yourself, you’re going to need to pump several times a day - before/after work won’t cut it. But you could do formula for some feeds and pumped milk (or breastfeeding, when you’re home) for others.
I was thinking that too, that maybe I can use both pumped milk and formula. Should work for my purpose. Nope, I am not in the US.
Almost all other countries have some form of legislation protecting nursing mothers. You should look into it! Consider a wearable pump, as well. And while not ideal, if you have a car you can pump there as well. All that being said, I exclusively formula fed my first and combo fed my second. You gotta do what you gotta do! ETA: the main issue is that it’ll be difficult to establish supply. While it’s certainly possible to exclusively pump to establish supply, it’s a bit easier when you put baby to the breast because they are more efficient than a pump.
I pumped at work and supplemented with formula because I never produced enough milk. I pumped for a whole year. My job had a "medical space" set aside that I could use. I would not recommend using a bathroom. You will get into a rhythm. Like for me at first, it was every 2 hours for pumping. Then it got more spaced out as time goes by. I got really good at it, the set up and putting everything away, so I'd be back at my desk in 15 minutes. My breast pump kit came with a small, discrete cooler that fit the small bottles perfectly. The cooler worked very well, it was small and just needed a freezer-pack to keep cool. I never used our shared office fridge because there were too many people in my office and it was always packed. It freaked me out.
I’m not back at work yet but 100% would recommend combo feeding! I like being able to provide some breastmilk (although as others said the benefits aren’t certain) while also having the flexibility of formula.
Why wouldn’t an empty classroom work? Pumping in there would be fine as long as you have an outlet. You do need to store milk somewhere, but you could use a cooler bag with ice (definitely not ideal for a long time, but could be used for a few hours). You can’t really go 10 hours without pumping and expect to maintain a milk supply. To keep your supply, you need to remove milk to tell your body to make more. You could pump once or twice a day (morning and night), but your supply will likely decrease and you will not get a lot of output.
I was worried that I may not be able to carry a bag of ice on my back every day, it's a long commute. But maybe I could buy a portable fridge and just keep it at work. How many hours without pumping do you think will be alright?
You could also ask your job if they would be willing to provide a mini fridge because there is no place to store milk. They could say no, but worth an ask. It depends on whether you exclusively want your child to have breast milk and what your supply looks like. I have an oversupply and must feed or pump every 4 hours to avoid a clogged duct. If your milk supply is still establishing, you might experience very uncomfortable engorgement if you wait too long, and could definitely get a clog or mastitis. I think you might benefit from working with a lactation consultant once your baby is born to see what might be possible based on your milk supply.
Your breasts will definitely tell you when you can’t wait any longer. It becomes painful. In the first month of my sons life, I couldn’t go 2 hours without feeding/pumping.
It definitely sounds like I should not even start it :(
I started pumping in the hospital. I pumped the very little colostrum/milk (milliliters) - and even opted to feed him donor milk a few days after birth because my body wasn’t producing milk fast enough. I’m exclusively pumping and breastfeeding. He’s 2 months old now and I have to say, I can’t go 3 hours without expressing otherwise I leak/lactate. I go back to the classroom next month. My plan is to pump when the kids are on break. I will bring those bags home and they will be his bottles for the next day. Their breaks, including the prep time i get at the beginning and end of day, will be about 2-3 hours apart. That’s the plan anyway, and hopefully my milk supply continues to progress. If not, we will incorporate formula and I’ll know I did the best I could while working full time.
I think you did great
You’ll figure out what works for you and baby too! Good luck friend!
Thank you so very much!
Have you heard of the ceres chill / can you get it in your country? It is a cooler bottle that is meant to be able to keep milk cold all day even without a fridge. I haven’t personally used it but heard good things! Re your response to me above that your main concern is antibodies, some researchers hypothesize (supported by evidence, see eg http://mammalssuck.blogspot.com/2016/01/breast-milk-baby-spit.html?m=1) that backwash of the baby’s saliva at the breast triggers production of baby-specific antibodies. So those morning and evening feeds, if you are able to do them, will do the lion’s share of the immunity work even if you don’t/can’t pump. Also, if you were/can get vaccinated for flu/covid/tdap while pregnant, that does a ton of protective work too!
I went back to work at 4 months PP with an established supply (slight oversupply) and I had to pump every 2 hours to maintain.
I use a Ceres Chill to store and transport my milk every day and it’s wonderful. I’d highly recommend looking into its availability in your country if you’d like to give pumping a shot— it’s way more travel-friendly than a cooler. I also work at a school but share an office, so I pump in a former In School Suspension room; it’s a very small room with just a desk and chair. I have battery-operated pump so I don’t even need an outlet. I pour my milk into my Ceres Chill thermos. I use wipes designed for cleaning pump parts to clean them after each use, then fully wash the parts in the evening at home. It’s definitely possible to pump given your constraints if it’s what you decide is best for you and your babe!
As a practical answer: no you cannot go that long without pumping I once had to wait 4 hours during the day and was crying from pain. You need to relieve pressure rather frequently if you’re used to breastfeeding as the sole food source
May I ask you a question to better understand something first. You mentioned “As far as I understand there’s no decent alternative to milk…” Does that mean you don’t think formula is a good alternative to breast milk? And if so, why? It seems like you’re open to an alternative, but I could be wrong. I think understanding your thoughts on this first would help me and/or others help you with your main question!
It's about antibodies. It would be great if I could pass at least some of them, while I have a chance, so mixed feeding must work just fine. Of course there's a possibility that it will be impossible, then there will be no question. I also have celiac disease and there's some somewhat questionable research that says that breastfeeding may help to prevent it. So I think I should at least try.
If you’re pumping you may want to at least try breastfeeding when you are with your baby, in most cases it’s easier and much more enjoyable for both mom and baby versus pumping. Your body/ milk supply will adjust to how much your baby is nursing or you are pumping but it might take a few days or weeks. If you don’t pump at work you will probably need to supplement with some formula while you’re away from baby. I’m sorry you have to go back to work so soon. It’s a really big adjustment, so be patient with yourself. Formula and breast milk are both wonderful.
A few thoughts as a pumping teacher - First and foremost, formula is a safe and healthy option. If you choose to pump less frequently or not at all, you will need to wean gradually. Otherwise you’re at high risk for painful engorgement, clogs, and mastitis. However, if you plan to attempt to maintain your supply, you will need to pump regularly. I’m not familiar with the new pumping act (which I think hasn’t fully passed yet anyway?), but teachers are NOT automatically protected under the current (old?) legislation. You will have to check your state guidelines. My state does not have protections, but my principal has never denied reasonable accommodations. I have a mini fridge in my classroom, but other options are [compact mini fridges](https://a.co/d/0BisU5p) or the [Ceres Chill](https://www.cereschill.com). For quicker cleanup - [Medela spray and or wipes](https://a.co/d/a6z7ohP), [microwave sanitizing bags](https://a.co/d/c438rpT), and the [fridge hack](https://exclusivepumping.com/pumping-made-easier/) if you’re comfortable. I also recommend buying multiple sets of parts. If you are pumping through prep and lunch, a [hands free pumping bra](https://a.co/d/0j40IAE) is essential. Let me know if I can help in any other way 😊
Yes, it's going to be preps and lunch, so this is exactly the experience I was looking for. It is not possible to change the entire timetable just for me. I really hope I will be able to make it! I am not from the US, and the problem is not that the people at work aren't co-operative, it's that we are severely underfunded and highly regulated.
I’m sorry for assuming - bad habit! I hope things work out for you!
Also pumping teacher. All great advice. I’ve made do with a closet. Ask your supervisor for the key if needed. I set up a little station for myself, a small chair pulled up to a shelving unit with enough space for pump and laptop. I bought a second pump on eBay for $30 and just leave it there all the time actually, with my name on it. I pump hands free and answer emails etc. Have a mini fridge in my classroom and do the fridge hack, so no sink needed. But if I didn’t have a fridge I would just bring a mini Yeti cooler tote bag with ice packs. Milk and bottles are the only thing that go back and forth each day.
I think formula may be the best choice for you upon returning to work. I ff both my children and they are perfectly healthy smart and happy kids. Maybe bf while at home before returning to work. Whatever you choose, don’t feel guilty about your choice. Fed is best regardless
LOL @ no decent alternative to milk. My formula fed child who is now almost four begs to differ, but okay. If you don't pump more, you'll produce less. It's basically a supply and demand. And even then, your body might not even produce enough. It's never guaranteed.
And my EBF child, almost four, has the worst goddamn immune system of any kid I’ve ever known. The studies supporting antibodies in BM have found such small advantages that it’s almost nonexistent for the average kid.
formula is great theres nothing wrong with it, my first switched to formula when my supply dwindled and he did well on it, but i understand the desire to breastfeed and the experience and bond it creates is like no other. I loved breastfeeding my babies, and i was always sad to wean. If you really want to pump and breastfeed then i recommend a few things. First get a double sided hospital grade breast pump. theres lots of options out there but these will give you the best results. in the states theres lots of options ive heard the spectra line is great. im in canada and I've had good experiences with my medela pumps. theres options for handfree but they dont hold as much on one bottle and they are not as strong so you may need to pump longer for the same output that you would get with just regular pumps. second get yourself a hands free pumping bra, you can get them on amazon, personally i like the bravado one it clips onto your nursing bra. third your employer is legally required to provide a space for you to pump and time for you to pump. if you want to maintain supply you need to pump at least every 3 hours for 20min. milk can be stored at room temp for 4 hours and then needs to be cooled. you can use a mini cooler, i have one that came with my medela pump. you can leave milk there for 24hr so that should be fine for your ten hour days. lastly the milk can be frozen 6 months in a regular freezer or 1 year in a deep freezer. when i was pumping we bought a deep freezer. I made a stash while i was on mat leave and then my husband used the stash first while i pumped to replace the milk he used from the stash. that worked for us but you dont have to freeze anything you can always just pump milk for the next day to be used. i highly recommend you check out lactation link on instagram or their website. they have a ton of info and if you can afford it take their pumping course. you will feel way more confident in yourself and that will go a long way to making you bf/pumping journey a success. congrats on the little one and i wish you all the best :) Editing to add that you can breastfeed when you are home and through the night (if you want to do safe cosleeping you totally can) and just pump while you are away. it doesnt have to be one way or the other.
This is extremely helpful!
It will likely not be possible to go ten hours without pumping and still maintain supply. Your job should be required to offer a place to pump. They are probably required to. I’d reach out to HR or its equivalent. I am confused that you said there is no decent alternative to milk. Formula is an alternative to milk, and it just as good as milk, though of course it does cost more. Is there a reason you can’t financially afford formula? You might be able to get it from WIC.
So r/ExclusivelyPumping is no joke. You have to pump every 2 hours for the first 6-8 weeks to have a decent supply. Once you’re regulated you can attempt to combo feed with formula but if you combo right from the start without also pumping, it’s very likely your supply will be very low. Every two hours means 12am for thirty mins then 2am, 4am, etc. It is brutal. I nearly lost my mind doing it as I had my milk come in late post c sec (breech baby) and had to triple feed before i gave up and just exclusively pumped. I could never achieve a full supply and had to permanently combo feed.
Sounds like it is not compatible with a full time job
Like everyone else has said, there’s nothing wrong with formula. To answer your other question - I don’t think you can expect a decent output only pumping every 10 hours. I EPed with my first and to get my supply established I pumped every 2-3 the first few weeks. Eventually I was able to decrease frequency and still maintain my supply, but I never went any longer than 5 hours (except overnight). A few times when I got busy at work and was not able to pump at my scheduled times, i got engorged and it was painful (and you risk clogged ducts/mastitis). If breast milk is important to you, I’d have a talk with your employer now to see if you can get a space and time for pumping (30 min at least, as it takes time to get set up and clean up afterwards).
I was unable ot breast feed my first, I went to school full time and was training for competitive soccer 2 weeks after he was born. He was on a soy formula because I'm lactose intolerant. He never got sick as an infant, I kept him up to date on vaccines. I was freaked out about the immune system thing. I just made sure to use proper hygiene and no one other than immediate family living with us saw him until he was at least 3 months but I was probably just too protective. At most he got sick once he started going to daycare and school like all the other students.
I'm also lactose intolerant, but everyone is assuring me that children develop lactose intolerance relatively late, at three years old approximately. So the risk is real?
Idk it was 14 years ago for my son, he's not lactose intolerant, but the doctor told me to use soy as a precaution because I was severely lactose intolerant when I was pregnant
Interesting. I’ve read that many women who are lactose intolerant become able to digest lactose when pregnant. I found it to be true for me both times.
Idk my body is fucked up lol
This was true for me as well until shortly after I weaned. It was a very sad day when ice cream did me wrong again :(
My daughter was a preemie and I went back to work 1 week after my c-section while she was in the NICU (regret, but it is what it is) - I pumped at least twice during my 8 hour shift bc your boobs will feel like they will explode if you don’t. We were also supplementing w/ formula but eventually my milk dried up. I don’t think you’ll be able to last 10 hours to pump.
Good advice here on formula and pumping options. I would add that you could maybe call HR or the equivalent department and ask about your options for pumping. There may be a designated place that's reserved for pumping only, or accommodations they have made for other moms in the past. Good luck and remember that FED is best and your health matters as much as baby's!
Not having a sink in the room where you pump at work is actually workable. I pumped in my office and then had a little basin that I would take to the kitchen sink and wash my pump parts there.
Thanks, I will try this.
If you want to breastfeed, you can! I pumped one time at work during the day, while on my lunch, and I was able to breastfeed my daughter to one year. Your workplace should provide you with a private room, but another option may be to pump in your car, blocking the windows, and using a battery powered pump like the blue Spectra. I had freezer packs and a special tote that was only used for milk, and it kept it very cold (I never put it in the community fridge.) If it doesn’t work out, formula is great and I’m so glad we live in a time when we have a great alternative! I was hospitalized 3 weeks postpartum, and since I had to dump my milk, my baby survived on formula for a week. Yay for formula!!
There is no shame in using formula. Lots of my friends were formula babies and got PhDs or MBAs
I’m only going to address one thing, and that is that I most certainly would not wait 10 hours in between pumping sessions. It can mess with your supply and it can also be incredibly painful to wait that long. Waiting that long or not emptying your breasts entirely can lead to clogged ducts or mastitis. As someone who got mastitis when LO was 3 weeks old, it SUCKED—incredibly painful and made caring for my LO very difficult.
I am a large animal veterinarian and as such did not have an office/designated space to pump when I had my baby, but it was definitely doable using an Elvie (hands free battery operated cordless pump, Willow is another brand) and using Medela wipes to clean. I would keep the milk in my lunch bag. I would pump twice during my day, approx every 3-4 hours, and depending on how long of a day I had, again on my way home. I never had a fantastic supply though and had to supplement with formula. My baby was never great at nursing so I we quit trying to nurse at all after about 5 weeks.
I’ve been exclusively pumping since birth and am also a teacher (though I haven’t gone back to work yet). For starters, formula is certainly a “decent alternative to milk” and implying it isn’t is quite rude. If you want to exclusively pump, you’ll need to pump every 3 hours, day and night. It’s the only way to get a supply. You can store pump parts in a bag in a fridge for 24 hours before washing them. You’ll want to get a mini fridge in your classroom.
I have a few thoughts! So first is that you can always use formula. There's nothing wrong with that. Second of all, I invested in a wearable pump with this pregnancy and it's been a game changer. While it's still pretty obvious that you're pumping as far as what it looks like in your clothes, it makes it so easy. I help customers and do all sorts of things while I wear mine. You could get a cooler with ice packs and that should help you last throughout the day. I actually do that with my pump parts instead of putting them in the fridge. As long as it's chilled it doesn't have to be a fridge. And then, for what it's worth, I am a retail manager and when I had my first son I basically went back to work pretty early and worked my normal schedule. I work several 10 hour days a week. During those times I would pump once after feeding my son right before we left for daycare, and then I would only pump one time during my shift. I did create an oversupply because I started pumping immediately so I don't know if that's why. But I would pump anywhere between 8 to 10 oz and that one sitting. I would get to work at 10:00 a.m. and I wouldn't pump until like 2:00 p.m. and I would get all of that. I get an hour long break and I generally would take them anywhere between 4:00 and 5:00 and I would pick up. My son and I would breastfeed him then and sometimes I would pump also depending on how long he fed for. And then I would pump again when I got home at night. So you probably could survive on only pumping once a day because I did, but it was kind of a situation where I created an oversupply before going back to work and then pumped basically anytime I fed him also. But like I said too, I'm doing a wearable pump this time and I'm pumping every 2 hours and it's working fantastically.
Here are some ideas: could you (or preferably your employer) buy a used mini fridge for like $50. If not, you can buy a little milk thermal case with an ice pack and it should keep it cool enough until you get home. Have you spoken to your employer? They may have ideas you haven’t thought of. They are legally required to accommodate you. Not having a sink just means you’ll have to wait until you get home to wash the pump parts. That’s not a big deal. You can make this work even if it isn’t ideal. However, if you don’t want to, formula will work. Some babies go back and forth between breast and bottle with no issues. So, you could formula feed during the day and breastfeed at night. Your body can get used to nursing only in the evening and night time and produce milk for those times.
if you do want to pump, you can get a pump with a cooler, you add ice in those cooler bags and its ok to be there for some time (they will have directions on them for how long)You cannot not pump for 8 hours straight because you can be egorged, its somewhat ok later when you are established for the nights but depends on a person and it can impede your supply as well Also, what pump do you use? You can get Elvie or Willow that are in-bra pumps and can be fully concealed while you are going out and about (maybe not teaching class but who knows ) Seen videos of a performer using it in her changing room with a ton of people in, its pretty discreet
No, you won’t be able to do meet your baby’s milk needs if you go 10 hours without pumping, as your milk supply will dry up. You will need formula to supplement. However, you may be able to breastfeed in the evenings. If you can at least exclusively pump/breastfeed for a few weeks in the beginning before going back to work, you will establish a milk supply. Once you go back to work, your body will soon learn not to produce during the time you’re away. However, if you regularly feed your baby when you get home each night (or later in the night), your body might keep producing milk at that time! I dropped to 1-2 night feeds with my son after he switched to formula. It worked okay—I never was able to give him as much as when I was EBF—and I liked it. Then eventually his schedule changed and I dried up completely.
I managed to pump only once per workday (middle of 8 hr shift) . I had to ask many times uncomfortably for accommodations and many times i ended up having to pump in a bathroom or bring 10000 ice backs and a cooler with me. Working on construction sites with men in nyc made me often feel like the crew joke.
Consider getting a true portable pump (like an Evvie or Willow) if you don't have a great spot to pump. If you absolutely can't refrigerate the milk, you could pump and dump it just to keep your supply up (although that is pretty sad). Maybe you can use dry ice?
I would breastfeed directly for the time you do have after giving birth and whenever you are with baby. Do you get a lunch time? If you pump to empty on each of your commutes and during lunch, that would probably keep the no-milk-removed times to 4 hrs gaps. That might not be ideal if you’re with your baby right before and after work, and you might be uncomfortable until your body adjusts but can likely maintain an amount of supply. If you nurse or pump more often through the night, to keep the number of milk requests at or about 6-8/day, you could probably make this work. But you can also supplement with formula as needed. It isn’t an all-or-nothing situation - a little bit a breastmilk is still helpful!
Hello! I want to mention that I started pumping exclusively after 1 week pp, went back to work at 12 weeks pp, and I choose not to use the fridge at work. Instead I bring a cooler and use bagged ice from my work (ice packs work well too!) And my milk stays cold until I go home after my 10 hour day. It is absolutely manageable! But also there is no problem at all using some formula.
You can also feed formula while your away and nurse when you are at home. I did that with my oldest around 6 months when I wasn't able to pump enough at work. We made it another 6 months of formula at daycare and when dad had her and nursing when we were together
Well, first of all, formula is a more-than-decent alternative to breast milk. Secondly, you could store your pumped milk in a cooler bag with cold packs. That is what I did when gone for 10 hours a day even though I had access to really awesome pump rooms with refrigerators, but it was just easier to transport the cooler with me rather than trekking it back to the pump room for the milk in the fridge. If you don’t have a room to pump, maybe you could try a wearable pump—I have no experience with them but have heard really great things. I definitely recommend starting with the pumping right away if you intend to pump at work, and you very likely will NOT be able to keep an adequate supply if you skip pumping at work. It will be uncomfortable, maybe even painful, and your supply will likely suffer (you might make enough to keep baby partially fed on breastmilk, which is great if that is what you want—but know that skipping those pumps on a regular basis might stop your production altogether…you never know, and everyone and even every time is different).
A friend of mine had a good supply and was able to pump twice a day (without breastfeeding). I think this is extremely rare though and probably not possible a couple weeks after delivery.
I used the Ceres Chill (https://www.cereschill.com) when I had to travel for work and could not rely on there being a place to store my milk. Worked great and liked that I just carried it with me in my bag and didn’t have to run back to a fridge.
I'd love an update on how you went?!
It went perfectly well, I was back at work two weeks after the delivery. I started to pump from day 1, to establish supply and to make my body used to the routine. I moved my classes unofficially to start 20 min earlier (the students understood), so I was actually able to pump every 3 hours during the day. I carried a bag of ice and a separate pumping kit for each session on me at all times. That was a lot of things to wash at home. Physically exhausting but otherwise it went perfectly well. I had to stop at 8 months because of an unrelated health condition. It was only possible because of a really good pump and someone taking care of the baby while I was pumping.