Breastfeeding Question - Ada,OK

Since you have a pretty good milk supply established and it sounds like you are only going to be missing one feeding, you will probably be okay. Your soreness and engorgement will get better soon. Just keep offering it to her when you are home. It is all based on supply and demand, and if she demands less, you will make less, but should still have a regular supply. It is normal for babies to drop feedings as they get older anyway. My son was down to 4 a day shortly after a year. Then I had to work and he just nursed once a day from about 16 mos on. I was still able to make that 1 feeding's worth with no problem. They say you need to do 8 feedings a day to keep your milk up, but that seems to be only at first. I'm not sure when that isn't so important anymore, but like I said, we were at 4 a day by a year. For the last 5 months or so he has just been nursing every few days, sometimes only once a week. I still have milk for him when he wants it. I am just now noticing that he doesn't seem to be getting much when he tries. So just keep up with as much as you can. I'm sure you will be able to make it to a year. Congrats on the job!

When I went back to work I would take my lunch break and pump. This would help relieve my pain and helped keep my bottled milk supply going. If you don't have time at lunch- ask if you can combine your 2- 15 minute breaks to add to your lunch. That should allow you time for both. Good Luck.

Your supply will go down, but if you're not going to be nursing her in the middle of the day anymore anyway then it doesn't really matter. She might get a tad frustrated on the weekends because you might just have the supply up for the morning and night feeding. My daughter nurses once in the morning and usually, but not always, once at night. I have had plenty of milk for those two feedings for several months - I just don't have extra if she wants to nurse more when I'm home. It really isn't that big of a deal though. She just sucks, says, "all gone" and moves on... lol. I wouldn't worry too much.

Yes your milk supply will go down a little. I worked at a daycare center when my babies were newborns. If you know how, it should only take 3 minutes to pump. The trick is to stimulate your nipples first before you start pumping. Next use 2 inexpensive nonelectric pumps. Use them at the same time so you can take advantage of the let down on both sides. Breast milk is by far the best and the effort is well worth it.Good Luck

I pumped during the day until my daughter was a year and then transitioned her to other milk sources during the day. I continued to nurse her nights and weekends until she was 18 months old. Your supply will suffer, but it is very individual about how adaptable your body is. If you've nursed this long, I say good for you.

However, normal weaning you should cut out feedings slowly to avoid any problems with plugged ducts and mastitis. Make sure that she is really nursing at night to ensure the breasts is being fully emptied. They will still feel full, but the soreness should subside after a couple of weeks.

Good luck and congratulations on the job!

Not pumping will make your milk go down. Where do you work? Oklahoma has a law stating an employer "may" allow pumping, however they are not legally bound to do so.
It is however a FEDERAL law that you get a fifteen minute break every two hours and a half hour lunch if you work five or more hours.
I would contact the La Leche League in your area. They have many dedicated people working there to support women in your situation.
Good luck!
Here is there website:
http://www.llli.org/resources.html

Your job is required by law to give you two 15 min paid breaks and at least a 1/2 hour unpaid for lunch in an 8 hour day. My point being you have time to pump. So pump and refrigerate your breast milk. They can not fire you for insisting the follow the law. If they do then you could sue them for wrongful termination, so they won't.

Another point to consider in this decision in money. As far as the cost of a pump you can purchase one from a children's thift store for far less money. If you choose not to pump you will have to supplement with formula and then milk which will be more expensive and there can be additional health costs for children who are not breast fed for an entire year later in life.

Just food for thought :)

I brestfed all three of my children and learned that it's all about supply and demand. Your body will supply as long as the demand is there. I believe if you continue to skip a feeding then your supply will go down some. I was blessed to have a place to pump when I went back to work. I'd bring my lunch and pump while I ate. The things we do as moms. Good luck.

Not pumping or nursing that feeding will reduce your supply. Many States have statues that state you have a right to have the time to pump at work. We do in MN. Do you have an appropriate space that it could be done? I was very fortunate to be able to use a Mother's lounge with a Medela pump (I provide my own attachments), sink, individual locker's and a lockable room. I would get lunch and put the horns in my bra and eat hands free for 20 minutes. I averaged about 4-6 oz during the lunch hour. I also pumped in the AM at about 9:30am for another 4-6 oz.
I realize I am describing the most ideal situation and feel so fortunate to have had this resource. Don't feel bad if you CAN'T make it work. Nursing the amount you are is still so much more beneficial than not nursing at all.

Good luck!