It is not an easy decision - and one you do not have to rush into. It is such a personal decision too. Unfortunately people seem to forget all the thoughtful consideration that mums put into their decision making processes. Just make sure you leave room for any changes. I had some supply issues once I returned to work - this was complicated by a very unsupportive team and environment, I found this really distressing and felt like a complete failure along with all the other stresses of returning to work when I simply couldn't express anymore. I can be a control freak and was under quite some pressure at the time due to changes within the work place.
Just make sure you don't put too much pressure on yourself....you have done and will continue to do a fabulous job, no matter what happens.
You are a champ - that is one spunky boy in your sig. Remembe to celebrate the successes you have daily too!!
um I think I've decided not to stop. Lol. Silly me. I've been re-researching... and I dont' think I'm ready to stop.
Mak - thanks for the post, much appreciated. I'm really sorry to hear you had a rough time of it when you returned to work.
I figure I can continue expressing 3-4 times a day and then cut down to maybe 2 expresses once I return to work (or in the couple of weeks preceding) and see how I go with that. But then again, it is a female perogative to change one's mind . I'll sit with it for a day or two. And I am very proud of myself and what I've achieved so far... I guess I think at the end of the day, I can still do it - 3 expresses a day is leaving time for my own lifestyle and I just can't stop thinking about the benefits he gets from the BM. I'm ok if I have to supplement him with a little formula, I'd just like him to have predominantly EBM.
I think you are amazing Belfie And I can 'hear' through this thread, your mind ticking, and see you slowly coming to your decision, which sounds like a brilliant one! Continuing at a lesser level means that you don't really have to make a decision at all, you just keep doing what you've been doing, but in a way that is practical for you and your family . You KNOW all the benefits, you don't need me to tell you, but as a mum of a child with allergies, I can tell you that you'll be very happy you've continued. For however long you're able to, one week, or one month, whatever it is. And don't forget, you are soooooo close to not needing formula at all!!! But I think that using it in the meantime is great if it helps you to keep on expressing, in anyway at all .
Oh, and FWIW, I think goal-setting can be fantastic, and very inspirational when you're doing something that can be such hard work!!! Good for you
well I'm back in the game - so this thread shouldn't really be in here
I've delayed going back to work by a month, as i still think expressing would be difficult to manage with a 2 hour return commute! Work were very supportive (I'm lucky there) of letting me delay, in light of his worsening eczema & hives. So I'm back expressing full-time properly again IYKWIM. DS had 3 days with a bit of FF but we're back to f/t EBM again. The new goal is till he's 1 . Oh and I think I'm going to treat myself to a new maternity bra to celebrate lol!
And once I'd made the decision, and work were good - I felt really really great! I'm so happy I can do this to DS. I never thought I'd go this long. And DH has really come around too, and has been washing my pump attachments morning & night to prove his support
Thank you all again so much for your support as I worked this through - very very much appreciated
Belfie & a grateful EBM-guzzling boy
Wow Belfie, good for you!!! What a turnaround LOL. Sounds like you have a good plan in place, and have LOTS of support (if only all workplaces were so accommodating ) which we all know is soooooo important. I hope with all of this in place you can continue expressing for your boy for as long as you want to
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um I think I've decided not to stop. Lol. Silly me. I've been re-researching... and I dont' think I'm ready to stop. 
. I'll sit with it for a day or two. And I am very proud of myself and what I've achieved so far... I guess I think at the end of the day, I can still do it - 3 expresses a day is leaving time for my own lifestyle and I just can't stop thinking about the benefits he gets from the BM. I'm ok if I have to supplement him with a little formula, I'd just like him to have predominantly EBM.
And I can 'hear' through this thread, your mind ticking, and see you slowly coming to your decision, which sounds like a brilliant one! Continuing at a lesser level means that you don't really have to make a decision at all, you just keep doing what you've been doing, but in a way that is practical for you and your family 
. You KNOW all the benefits, you don't need me to tell you, but as a mum of a child with allergies, I can tell you that you'll be very happy you've continued. For however long you're able to, one week, or one month, whatever it is. And don't forget, you are soooooo close to not needing formula at all!!! But I think that using it in the meantime is great if it helps you to keep on expressing, in anyway at all 
) which we all know is soooooo important. I hope with all of this in place you can continue expressing for your boy for as long as you want to 
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