Supermoms: breast-feeding + going back to work/school.

All moms are super moms so this is not to be offensive  

Anyway.... I am trying to logistically and strategically prepare for life after my DS arrives. I plan on breast feeding but then I am due back in law school 3 weeks later.... Most breastfeeding websites advise not introducing the bottle to a baby before 6 weeks but unfortunately I do not have that luxury.

What should be my plan of action? Should I start pumping immediately after birth to build some sort of storage? Should BD introduce the bottle quickly so we can find one that works?

Anyone done this before? Any tips?

What's your class schedule like?

I went back to classes a week after DD was born, and BFed. I had my schedule set so that my classes were spread out and I could have time between to go home and feed her, and left a bottle just in case of emergency... but I was never very successful with pumping. (I did BF for 8 months, though).

I would recommend starting to pump ASAP so that you are used to it and have some saved up.

I would pump right away. You might have an over supply but at least you can get a built up stash. My baby boy had bottles to from the get go. Well after the first 2 weeks was when he introduced a bottle. He never had nipple confusions. Just make sure you can pump enough at school and work because once I started working my supply dropped a lot even though I was pumping every 3 to 4 hours. Good luck!

Quoting whoknowsx:" All moms are super moms so this is not to be offensive   Anyway.... I am trying to logistically and ... [snip!] ... some sort of storage? Should BD introduce the bottle quickly so we can find one that works? Anyone done this before? Any tips?"

I would highly recommend pumping after every feeding from DAY 1 home!! I didn't and had to go back to work after 3 months and I am having a hard time keeping up with my supply pumping during the day!! As for a bottle I would try after a week, give baby some time to get a latch going but that is up to you!!! But get a good head start on the pumping you will be thankful in the end!

My son was in the NICU for a week, had the bottle all of the time except once a day when I made it to the hospital to breastfeed him. After he was released, we exclusively breastfed.

The only 'problem' I had was him taking sometimes 15-30 min to latch on properly, but he's 5 weeks and we're doing good. It's both a learning process for momma and baby and staying calm is the key!

The 'problem' I have now is he likes to NOT open his mouth wide...lol. But I just keep at it, we're both learning and he's gaining weight so I'm not worried.  

As for the pumping thing...no idea.   I'm waiting til next week to start my supply, but I think the best way to start a supply would be to pump after the baby has had his fill.  

I returned to school when my toddler was just a week. I pumped after the feeding so not to mess up my supply and only dad would bottle feed, not me. Also don't let baby be bottle fed if you are home. Its easier to bottle feed for them and you want baby to work at getting your milk out. While at school, pump between every class. A hand pump works just fine and fits easier in a bag. My son will be 2 in October and he's still breastfeeding  

Start pumping right away! I went back to school full time a week after my daughter was born and was not able to take breaks to feed her. I was able to pump regularly though and had enough to feed her while I was gone. It is a lot of work but if you are determined you can make it work  

Quoting The Doctor:" What's your class schedule like? I went back to classes a week after DD was born, and BFed. I had my ... [snip!] ... (I did BF for 8 months, though). I would recommend starting to pump ASAP so that you are used to it and have some saved up."

I actually have a really good class schedule this semester -- I will be gone anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hrs a day... I'm just worried in case he gets hungry during that time. Also, I have 3 eight-hour finals in december (+ time away from him to study) so I want to make sure I have milk saved up for those times.

Quoting Bearer of ʞings:" I returned to school when my toddler was just a week. I pumped after the feeding so not to mess up my ... [snip!] ... every class. A hand pump works just fine and fits easier in a bag. My son will be 2 in October and he's still breastfeeding  "

Good idea! I won't even go near the bottles at home, only BD.

I have a Medela Pump in style... should I invest in a hand pump as well? And if my school days are only 1.5hrs-3hrs long, should I even bother trying to take breaks to pump? or should I just feed before I go and feed after (i live like 5 minutes away)

Quoting James Mama:" Start pumping right away! I went back to school full time a week after my daughter was born and was not ... [snip!] ... though and had enough to feed her while I was gone. It is a lot of work but if you are determined you can make it work  "

That is good to hear!  

Quoting ☮ Phuket:" I would pump right away. You might have an over supply but at least you can get a built up stash. My ... [snip!] ... school and work because once I started working my supply dropped a lot even though I was pumping every 3 to 4 hours. Good luck!"

This might sound dumb but... what is an oversupply? and how often should I pump? every two hours?

Quoting whoknowsx:" I actually have a really good class schedule this semester -- I will be gone anywhere from 1.5 hours ... [snip!] ... 3 eight-hour finals in december (+ time away from him to study) so I want to make sure I have milk saved up for those times."

That's a great schedule, IMO. What I would do is feed her last minute before I left-- and leave a bottle just in case she got hungry. Most of the time she wouldn't take the bottle while I was gone, and she'd eat right when I walked in the door. I didn't pump during my classes, and my supply was fine (I only had 1-2 classes per day, and the days I had two, one was at 9 AM, the other was at 6:30 PM).

Quoting whoknowsx:" Good idea! I won't even go near the bottles at home, only BD. I have a Medela Pump in style... should ... [snip!] ... I even bother trying to take breaks to pump? or should I just feed before I go and feed after (i live like 5 minutes away) "

An electric pump is great if you have somewhere to plug it in. I used a hand pump because then I could pump anywhere and it made less noise. Your boobs may fill up and leak in an hour and a half. You could just pump after class. Use your own discretion as you go along. It'll become easier and more routine. & bring a sweater or extra shirt just in case you soak your shirt lol. Good luck! It is very possible to do it mama!

Thanks you guys  

Quoting whoknowsx:" This might sound dumb but... what is an oversupply? and how often should I pump? every two hours? "

you will just be making a smurf ton of milk!. thats an over supply... but if you want to build stash thats good.
and yes pump AFTER nursing her, and while at school if you can pump every 2 hours for at least 15-20 mins