Wednesday, September 24, 2008

My baby is 7 months old and I want to return to work, but can't find the time to pump. What should I do?

If your baby is eating solids happily than you may not need to pump at all. Three to four good nurses a day can be enough for a baby that is eating solids.

If you want to return to work you may find that the following feeding schedule will work for you and your baby: Give a nurse when the baby first wakes up, then feed him a breakfast of solid food, offer a good-bye nurse as you leave him with his care taker. While you're away he can sip water, diluted juice, or herbal teas from a sippy cup and eat solids. You can share a reunion nurse when you pick him up. Then offer him solids and/or nursing for the rest of your day together. One more nurse before he goes down for the night and he'll be set!

If he usually nurses much more than 4 times a day, than gradually ease into this schedule, dropping one nurse every few days. This will help him adjust and prevent any engorgement.

No comments: