BFing & working...

[~clover~]

The local bistro here is apparently desperate for workers. I'm thinking it'd be a good idea to get some extra christmas $$, but not sure I could pull it off.

I don't want to give DD FF, but don't have a pump. Hand pumping would be impossible & I'm not even sure she'd take a bottle.

She's only 7 weeks old. Should I even bother attempting it?

I have no idea. We could really use the money, but I don't know if I'm ready...

How did you decide you were ready to return to work?? Even just part time (though I'm pretty sure it'd be every night cept Mondays & weekend lunches too...

[Doing my best]

I don't know on returning to work. It is such a personal decision..

But I do have a medela pump (power or battery operated) you could use. Just pm me and I can post asap if you want to borrow it.

[Michelle71]

How many hours at a time?? I find it hard work expressing and with such a little bubba it could really mess with your supply if it is extended hours away. If it was only 3 hours it could be doable but also consider the extra level of tiredness too.

[~clover~]

I'd say it'd be from about 5.30ish til late. Closes at 9, but cleaning up I've seen go til 10 or 11.
Going to ring them tomorrow to find out more.

Not sure... that is her unsettled period where she wants to feed every half hour. Not too sure DH could do it...
Could really use the money though....

I dunno. Maybe I should leave it til she's a bit older.

[OceanPrincess]

Clover that'd be a lot to take on, not just for you but your DH and the other kids! They don't call it witching hour for nothing!

Do you think they'd let you start at some time a bit later, when the kids might at least be in bed and your bubba a bit more settled? Just a suggestion... I so understand your need for more $$ at this time of year!

Or what about lunches instead?

[OceanPrincess]

But I have to say you are wonder woman for even thinking about it!!!

[~clover~]

Nah, couldn't do lunches. Noone to have the kids. We've been talking about me doing night work for a while & this seems like a good chance to start. Right when its needed.
But, DH is asleep on the lounge right now, so maybe he can't do it. Or maybe if it's just 3 or 4 nights a week.
hmmm...

[OceanPrincess]

Doh, of course, didn't think of child minding during the day sorry!!

Yeah maybe just 3 or 4 nights? See what they say tomorrow. It might work, my SIL has just started nights at a function centre but her DD is 7mths so a bit older!

[MrsB26]

I too have a pump (avent manual) that you can borrow if you need.

[danniellabella]

If you can borrow a pump from one of these lovely ladies that's the first step. I went to fulltime work when DD was 4.5 months old and did the expressing thing at work. Sadly though because I wasn't expressing regularly or feeding regularly my supply stopped within only a few weeks of starting work...however, that was working 8 hours 5 days a week.

[*Efjay*]

hmmm at 7 weeks, Its a big ask. How local is it? Could you maybe ask if you would be able to duck home on your break to BF & come back if its close enough?

[starangelk]

I was back at work fulltime by 7 weeks but I was expressing 3 times per day. I wouldn't recommend 5 - 10ish without an express or your supply might really take a hit. Your dilemma is really difficult but if you are keen on the work, maybe borrow a pump and give it a try and see how you go. That way, you can see if DD will take a bottle at the same time

[peanutter]

ok, this is totally up to you and your family. but we have been doing a combo of breastfeeding and pumping and bottlefeeding since DS was born, and I returned to work when DS was 9 weeks old.

and it's all going fine

but DH has given DS at least one of his meals every day since birth, so he's been used to it ... so we've never had any issues with nipple confusion or separation anxiety or anything like that ...

it's not easy, but it is totally doable, if you and your DH have worked out how it's going to work, and have agreed to make it happen

we use the avent electric pump, which is fantastic.

If you pump less than your bubba feeds, you might need to do an extra pump or two to make up the milk, if you don't want to use formula ... that's what I do. It's hard work, but it's only for a few more months!

But in the last week or so, we have had to start giving him some formula - but I'm out from 7am-6pm, which is a bit different!

And the ABA have some super tips, too!

so yeah, kind of exhausted (particularly with other stuff going on, but worth it for us ...

[Jennifer13]

Hun, with everything you've been going through recently, just trying to stay on top of things, I think it'd be too much for you to work that much right now. You'd really need DH to step up to the plate a lot more than he has been, I'm sure he could, but you would be so tired working as well.

I know how tempting the $$ can be though.

[~clover~]

Thats what I'm thinking Jen. While I think DH could handle it I am more worried about me being run down. I've had a mild flu for about a week now coz we had so much going on the past 2 weeks.
I think I'll wait. The money would be good, but I'm having trouble staying awake past 9pm as it is. & thats with Summer pretty much sleeping through.

[Jennifer13]

Here's hoping after Christmas the money worries ease for you guys so you can look after your babies guilt-free!

[Marlene]

Hun, with everything you've been going through recently, just trying to stay on top of things, I think it'd be too much for you to work that much right now. You'd really need DH to step up to the plate a lot more than he has been, I'm sure he could, but you would be so tired working as well.

I know how tempting the $$ can be though.

[Kmn]

Could you start with 1 shift/wk and see how you go? If they are that desperate they ought to be able to fit around your needs!