[Chelnae6]

If I breastfeed at home but dont pump while at work, what will happen with my boobies?

I think that they'll probably get engorged and hurt but there are some women who breastfeed and dont pump at work b/c they may not have the time to do so.

Will thinks I'll be fine and says he knows many women who breastfed but didnt pump at work (or carry around a bag that would look like it had a pump in it).

[ShannonMVT]

It depends on how often you are BFing. Like if you had an older baby/toddler who was only BFing a couple times a day you'd probably be fine. But I think with a young (like if you go back when baby is 3 months) baby in my opinion you'd be in a world of pain if you didn't pump for 8-10 hours (include commute time too). Not only would it be painful I think if you did it too often then your supply would start to drop since BFing works based on supply and demand. If you don't BF or pump your body will think you don't need all that milk, hence stops making so much.
Hope that answers your question!

[sara~b]

I didn't BF with Gem but I have to agree with Shannon. My milk came in and was gone within days even though I hand expressed some to relieve the engorgement. I would worry that you might lose your milk supply really, really quickly. And unless Will is snooping through these ladies giant purses (as is the style alot these days) he probably wouldn't see a hand pump or smaller pump. It doesn't have to be a big, giant electric pump! Plus they probably have a woman's lounge-area where the women can express and then store their milk in a mini-fridge until work is over! Most of the larger companies I've worked for had one and the women stored their pumps in there because, honestly, who would steal a pump?!

[szczepanski]

Chelle, true story....

A few weeks ago, my DH emailed me from work and was so amazingly proud of himself because, after working there for almost 5 years...he finally figured out what a small room with just a refrigerator was for. He saw one of the ladies that he knew had just had a baby walk by at the same times everyday with a briefcase and disappear for about 20 minutes. I had just bought my breast pump...he finally put 2 and 2 together and realized that she was carrying her pump into an actual pumping room (which is awesome in itself) to pump breast milk for her baby. He was completely oblivious and he is really nosy about most things.

Soooo they could very well be walking right past him ALL DAY and he has no idea.

[Resi]

There is a good chance you will dry up. I pumped for the first year while working and cut back pumping at work towards the end of my working. I didn't have a problem with my supply.

They would explode

[~*Bethy*~]

Michelle

If you take fenugreek, I think your supply would be Ok as long as you are EBF every time your are home

[Frozendesire]

Ouchies haha. Um I guess it depends, like Shannon said. If your new into your BF relationship your supply might dwindle. If your well established, you'll hurt...

I have a hand held pump that I use for when Dustin is overnight at the inlaws. I get SUPER sore over night so I usually just pump for comfort. It's a First Years one I think?? It does the job, but only to relieve... I wouldn't trust it to keep up my supply nor feed.

[Chelnae6]

Michelle!

Thanks ladies. I knew I wasnt tripping. I do plan to EBF for the 1st month and then after that alternate between mostly pumping with some BF at nights. I would like to do this for at least 6 months (thats a goal of mine) and then after that let my milk dry out unless I can handle it Exclusive Pumping for the next 6 months.

[bittersweet]

So...how often would you have to pump at work? I plan on pumping at work. When I'm home, I expect to BF baby every 2-3 hrs (im going back to work at 8 weeks), but there is no way I'll be able to pump that frequently at work. Maybe every 4-5 hrs...at the most

[Alison81]

A few women at work would BF at home but not wouldn't pump at work. First few days the one woman said she was really engorged, but in a week she said her supply adjusted to produce milk only during the times she was home. So I know it can work out.

[CandaceDianne]

I am glad you asked this, I was curious too! Thanks!

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

Michelle is right!!!

[Chelnae6]

I only really plan to do it on my lunch break. so once MAYBE twice in a work day.

[IamMom]

I think it depends on how your body's supply is in general....I do not have a great supply when I BF so once I started supplementing bottles with Nora my BB's dried up real fast.....you might have to just wait and see if your body adjusts like some girls have said or if it gives up like mine did!~

Or they could very well explode......LMAO at Michelle!

[~*sierra*~]

LOL michelle

this was a good question tho!

[Mars]

Ditto Shannon.

Michelle, you are hilarious!

[Resi]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

So...how often would you have to pump at work? I plan on pumping at work. When I'm home, I expect to BF baby every 2-3 hrs (im going back to work at 8 weeks), but there is no way I'll be able to pump that frequently at work. Maybe every 4-5 hrs...at the most

When I first went back to work (Oliver was 11 wks) I would pump about every three hours. 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM. I started pumping first thing in the morning too before leaving work because I was worried Oliver would not have enough. I hope every 4.5 hrs works for you. I know when Oliver was a little older I started spacing out the pumping at work. I would pump twice per day and still got almost as much as before. That was after he started solids.

[Chelnae6]

Thanks ladies!!!

I saw a DRASTIC decrease in my milk once I started to space out my pumpings at work or would forget a session. We were done nursing within 2 weeks of me quitting pumping at work I think it would be very challenging to BF at home but not pump at work. For me, I need to keep up on the pumping and will do better with my next baby!