Are you able to start your LO in care a week or so early to get both of you used to it?
I was able to go all day without expressing, just feed before work and a big feed after. But it did take a little while to be comfortable doing this, and i had my pump and did pump a couple of times, just to comfort. It doesn't really take that long if you are only doing it to be comfortable. Keep it as an option for the first few weeks.
I went back 3 days a week when my DD was 10 months, and I was lucky enough to be able to drop in mid morning and mid afternoon for feeds. Didn't last long as she was too distracted, so I tried just a lunch one, no luck there either. She dropped feeds during the day whilst in CC really quickly (within about a month - and most of those were hit and miss anyways) but the other 4 days of the week at home she fed throughout the day. I was constantly marveling at how my breasts just adjusted (I didn't express - simply too lazy!) to whether she was with me one day or not the next. I did make sure I allowed enough time at drop off for a big feed just before leaving, and always allowed for time when collecting her to have a feed before hitting the car. She did increase her solids too, and I'm lucky her water intake was always good. I sent her sippy cup for water at first so she had a familiar cup as I was worried she wouldn't use theirs but she didn't seem worried at all.
I too am a teacher and went back to work at 6 months. To help myself not feel too full, about a month or so prior to going back I started replacing the feeds I wouldn't be around for with an alternative. Because I was at home I could express for comfort if need be, but I found my body coped well with the gradual cutting down of a feed at a time and I didn't need to express (I think I dropped one a week).
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