Expressing at work

I am working one day a week and am away from DD for almost 9 hours.

I am able to express at work once during the day. My DD doesn't drink EBM so i am expressing for my comfort and because i don't want to upset my supply.

Is it better to express the breast fully or just to knock the top off it, given that my motivation is to maintain supply?

Thanks

If it's only one day a week maybe it doesn't matter? What would you do with the EBM if you collect lots?

It doesn't matter how much i collect cos i don't have much use for it (i keep trying but DD isn't interested). i have gone all day without expressing, but i don't know how healthy that is for the boobs or what affect is might have on supply. It is only one day at the moment but potentially it could be more. DD would normally feed 3 -4 times in the time that i am at work and i am happy to keep this going on the days that i am at home.

I think if it's only one day at the moment, relieving the pressure wouldn't affect your supply adversely.

Have you tried using the EBM on her cereal etc?

do you live anywhere near any of the hospitals which have EBM banks? loads of mums and bubs will be greateful for life if you're able to donate :hug:

when I was expressing at work, I'd do a full pump for every feed that Jman would ordinarily take, and I'd also pump after feeds ... but that was 5 days a week so maybe different??

Good idea, but i take medication so my EBM not suitable for other babies.

OK, so if it only one day a week and i don't express will this affect my supply?

If it can affect it, is it better to do full pump or is a half pump gonna help.


thanks

I used to empty completely - even though most of it got thrown out. And hand express if things became uncomfy as well. But I was working full time.

The last thing you need at this point is blockages and mastitis, so make avoiding that your priority. If you find that a full express just leads to bursting later in the day then see if you can do one part-express and then hand-squirt as needed.

I'd probably be going with the theory that if I pump whatever he'd drink, then my supply wouldn't be hurt.

It's a lot of work, but for me it was worth it.

But maybe others haven't had to ... ?

I think if you're not actually needing to use the EBM, and assuming you are comfortable, then you could do either or not pump at all even. (given that it's only one day a week).
Maybe just play it by ear and see how you go.

Do you feed overnight? My mum and aunty both BFed babies from 2 months old at night & weekends (working 5 days a week) and maintained supply without expressing. The night feeding was key though. At a year old and for just one day I would give not expressing a go (unless you need to for comfort). You'll sense if your supply drops and can start expressing if needed. Frequent feeds the following day or two after work will boost your supply back up.

If you are not expressing for one day a week, it will affect your supply accordingly - ie you should still have plenty of milk 6 days a week, and on the day that you work your supply is likely to be lower. It's really amazing how well our bodies work - many mums who work part time find that their supply adjusts so that they have less on work days and plenty of milk on other days. If you are comfortable for the 9 hours without expressing there shouldn't be any harm, but if you feel full or lumpy then expressing is a really good idea to reduce the risk of mastitis. Just enough for comfort won't impact much on supply, but a full empty will trigger more milk production.

It's really great that you are finding it easy to combine work and breastfeeding.

how's it going, HotI?

I don't express at work these days, my LO copes without me 'just' and has make up sessions when i get home. it adds to my tiredness (those BFing hormones!) at the end of the day, but it seems to be working for both of us.

Now i am trying to work out pregnancy hormones & breastfeeding :lol:

I'm glad you've got a routine working for you :)

and yay for pg hormones (well, yay for the pg they flag at least)! I hope to be following suit soon ... tick tock ...