Can't decide what now.... long bleurgh post ;)

[Kmn]

You have done an awesome job.
I think that you should decide how often you can handle expressing and do that. And then make up whatever you don't have with food and water and formula - without any guilt whatsoever. My feeling is that if you can manage a lesser level of expressing for a longer period (ideally one which would get Arlea through trying most solids) then that would be the best option.

[*EJ*]

I can't give any advice from personal experieance but i just wanted to say you have done a FANTASTIC job to get this far ee. Sounds like you have a great supply

The decision you make will be right for you and your little girl

[MantaRay]

Mums who are bfing when they return to work find that their supply adjusts to feeding less often on work days (generally mums express fewer times at work then they would feed at home). So I am sure it would be the same for you - if you express more often some days your supply should adjust accordingly.

I forget now what sort of pump you are using - are you double pumping? If not that might be an option for you to consider. Also I have heard of mums who have worked out how to pump hands free with certain types of maternity bras that hold the pump in place, so that might help you to get an extra pump or two in while you are doing other things.

I'll try and think of some other ideas for you too.

[Fleur]

Yep, I'm using an Ameda Purely Yours double electric. I've cut holes in 2 of my old bras to hold the pump - mostly I get on the computer when I'm expressing, I can do work from home while expressing - if I'm not on BB lol.

The hard part really is fitting it in through the day, for example on Monday we (the kids) have a Dr appt at 11, a dance display at 12:30, a physio appt at 4:40 and have to fit in a trip to the high school for bookpacks. So fititng in 3 or 4 expresses is going to be hard!
Of coure not every day is like that, but it's those days that make me feel frustrated. Add to that getting up overnight...

The other thing is that I usually express for 30 - 45 min at a time, because of my supply, then wash up - so the whole thing takes about an hour.

I guess I should just be reducing my supply but I have a big mental block when it comes to that :s

ETA - geez, sorry if that all sounds very negative & sooky - it really is helping me work through it all by 'talking' about it here - so thank you

[Kmn]

This may sound like nagging but...
If you can keep the pump bits cold then you don't have to wash them every time - I used to stuff mine back in the fridge or esky and only wash once a day. Or - hunt around on ebay for extra pump bits!
You don't have to express until you are empty every time - if you need to go and do something then it's OK to partly empty (although you'll find that you need to express again sooner than you might of otherwise).
Do you have a battery back for your pump? Waiting room time may as well be put to good use! In my experience of pumping while working, single sided pumping can be done without much flashing if you have a very very big t-shirt (like a maternity one or guys xxxl). I never got the hang of discreetish double pumping though.

[Fleur]

Not nagging at all KMN! It's helpful, thank you!

really, can you just keep pump parts cold? I never knew that I though t they had to bve washed every time. That would save me a bit of time, especially if expressing until part empty.
Good ideas

[MantaRay]

You sound very organised hun. Sometimes it can be easier to express for a shorter time more often. Would that be easier for you?