Q&A: How do I deal with breastfeeding and a busy schedule?
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Question: How do I deal with breastfeeding and a busy schedule?
I have oreintation for college 4 weeks after my baby will be born. I need advice on what to do about breastfeeding during the two day period I will be there. I can not nurse during class. Will missing a few feedings in two days affect my supply enough that I can’t nurse anymore? How often should I pump? I am very nervous about this and need as much advice as I can get.
ANSWER:
Answer by motroo
You should pump as close to the normal times that your baby would nurse. If you don’t, then after 2 days of not nursing, you’ll become engorged. Also you can pump ahead of time and freeze the milk for the baby while you’re gone. When you get home there shouldn’t be a problem with you just picking up nursing. You may also want to give your baby breast milk in a bottle, so that she is used to the bottle while you’re gone and continues to eat.
Answer by Madilyn’s mommy
You should pump twice as often as you normally feed. You can pump in the car. I even pump while driving (I hook it up while parked obviously.) You don’t want to miss any feedings. Stock up on pumped milk starting when your baby is 2 weeks old as well. I work full-time and pump 4 times while at work and 2-3 times at home everyday to keep up with what my daughter needs while I am at work. Buy a hands free pumping bra. I have one it is easy expressions halter.
Answer by A
2 days should not make much of a difference especially if you pump during those days. I’d pump as often as you’d normally would feed the baby. and please try to relax about it, being nervous is not good when you’re pregnant.
Answer by Cee Cee
First,
You may be able to talk to the the profs. about leaving the classroom to nurse your baby, if you can find someone to drive him/her to you for those two days. Many college profs. admire a women who is making that effort and will help them out, even when classes start keep that in mind.
If you pump is should not hurt your supply to much, drink lots of water, use some supplements, nurse a ton when you get home and through the night (easier when baby is in room some how). Try to pump every 2 hours (about how often your baby would nurse). Take a little cooler, or ask about a fridge in the teachers lounge and you can keep that milk!!!
Also start pumping before hand so you have milk for him/her while you are gone (don’t be discouraged if you only get a little most women don’t fill up a bottle while pumping) Introduce the bottle after you have a good latch and nursing bond. maybe 2 or 3 weeks. If you will have to use a supplement, mix it with breastmilk to introduce and then slowly move the ration as needed to more formula so she gets use to the taste. . (If you do offer both when gone, it is best to offer a bottle of breastmilk and then the formula to top off with.
Good Luck and Kudos to you for looking ahead like that!
Answer by Little Man’s Mom
motroo is right on target. All I have to add is that if you do miss a feeding or two, you may feel engorged until you pump. Missing a feeding or 2 may dimish your milk supply, but you won’t completely dry up. Remember that your milk is supply in demand. Once you return to your baby and nurse more frequently again, you’ll get your supply back 
Answer by StageMgr4u
I went back to work full-time 7 weeks after my 5th child was born, and here’s what I did. Keep nursing at night, even though you’re screaming for sleep. That helps keep your production up. Nurse the last thing before you leave, then pump about 2 1/2 – 3 hours later (even if you have to unfortunately discard the milk because of no refrigeration). If you can have the baby brought to you during lunch, nurse then, or pump. Pump again during afternoon. Don’t feel guilty about this. Lots of people get up to smoke, take a cell phone call, etc. This is what you need to do. Also see if you can communicate this to those in charge before you get there. They may be able to make some accommodation. And nurse the first thing when you get back to the baby. Also, keep your fluid intake way, way up, and don’t forget proper nourishment. If you’ve established nursing strongly in those first 4 weeks, the 2 days shouldn’t mean the end of breastfeeding. And, even if it is the end, you did a good job and gave your baby a huge head start on a healthy life. Good luck to both of you!
Answer by rachel j
no it should effect your supply as long as its just a few days. When my son was 5 weeks old i had to leave town for almost 2 days. I just pumped as often as I could for as long as I could. Get a good electric breast pump if you do not all ready have one. Practice pumping for a few days before the orientation. Mornings are a good time to pump. Since your baby will be so young I wouldn’t use a bottle. I would use a syringe or sippy cup or have whoever will be doing the feedings use their finger. Since its only going to be 2 days this will be fine and avoid nipple confusion with the baby. Also when you are home with baby nurse as much as possible. That will help your supply stay up. Check out this website for all your breastfeeding questions,concerns, and lots of pumping info.
www.kellymom.com
You should pump when you would normally feed your baby. If you cant do that then pump and nurse before you leave, as often as you can while your gone and nurse as soon as you get home.
Answer by mystic_eye_cda
Messing around during the first 6 weeks after birth is usually just asking for problems. Also you could easily go as much as 2 weeks past your due date and then you are only going to be two weeks post-partum.
How long are the classes? How much time is there between them? How many classes per day? Can someone bring you the baby between classes? Are you absolutely sure you can’t bring the baby to class with you?
Alternative Feeding Methods
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html
Establishing and maintaining milk supply when baby is not nursing
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html
Answer by lily’s mom
You should be fine if you pump about as often as your baby nurses to keep up your supply. Since it will be when your baby is so young it will be best if you work very hard at getting your supply up to begin with. I suggest feeding your baby every 2 hours for the first 4 weeks. When I first started pumping it would take like 20 minutes to empty each breast, but just pump until the milk stops coming and you feel empty. You may have to massage gently to get it all out. Pumping does get easier. I started practising at about 4 weeks but didn’t return to work until LO was 12 weeks. But don’t worry 2 days won’t cause permanent damage if you pump. Don’t give in to the idea that your baby needs more milk unless your baby isn’t gaining weight. Breast feeding is hard at first. Just trust your instinct. Good luck!
Answer by Jeni Eni
I must admit that I tried pumping and dumping in the college bathroom when I had my son almost 5 years ago an I had a hard time with it but if you really want to nurse you should at least pump some when you are away espically to get your milk supply up in the first few months. It can be done.
Also if it gets to be to much for you remember any amount of breast feeding is great and formula fed babies do just fine.
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