I plan on taking 8 weeks off after the baby is born and plan on breast feeding during those weeks. I was thinking about renting a pump instead of buying one and trying to pump all the milk that he will need while in daycare for the 4 months afterward and of course, breast feed him when I am home at night. Is this an unrealistic expectation of myself?
September 1st, 2009 at 12:05 am
I think that is slightly unrealistic. Newborns need to breastfeed around the clock in those first weeks which will not leave a lot of time for pumping. It can be exhausting just breastfeeding them! Plus if you pump a lot during those first 2 months, your milk production will be way up, so if you try to just stop pumping all of the sudden, you will be very engorged and in pain.
You would probably do better to breastfeed for those first 2 months and pump a little. If you do not want to pump once you return to work, you can use what you’ve pumped and supplement with formula while at daycare. You can continue to breastfeed at night and in the mornings. If you can find the time to pump at work, it would be even better. The cost of a good electic double pump is often less than the cost of all the formula you would need, plus it’s so much better for the baby.
Whatever you decide, any breastmilk is better than none!
September 1st, 2009 at 1:00 am
you can actually pump up to 6 oz. between feedings and at night while baby sleeps. F.y.i breastmilk can last 5 hours out of the icebox, 5 days in the icebox and 5 months in the freezer! so have fun pumping! good luck!
September 1st, 2009 at 2:22 am
It all depends on your supply. Pumping means that you will be producing more milk . So there should be more milk to freeze.
BUT you will still need to pump and freeze in the months to come!!!