Breastfeeding

massacubano · Nov 23rd, 2009, 11:05 AM

I totally want to shave my OH and hook one on him!

sure he is curious how it feels hahaha...

petal040 · Nov 23rd, 2009, 12:18 PM

Lol that's what I'm hoping Becstar - from what I can tell from asking around, it's possible she'll only miss one milk feed (lunchtime) a day once I am back. I find it hard to figure out though because that's going by formula babies.

MelanieF · Nov 23rd, 2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelanieF

Somehow in our society we think all babies need bottles! But many, many babies bypass bottles altogether and go straight to sippy cups about 4mo. You can even use a cup to feed a newborn although that's rarely a good idea as they can confuse the sucking technique. Is there no way you can stay with your baby for a bit longer? Work with baby, work nights, work at home, work for short intervals and have baby come to you for feedings?

Mel

I'm a teacher so working nights isn't an option, and if there was any way I could leave it longer I would be! I am a bit sensitive about this... I'm not going back so we can have treats and nicer things, I'm going back so we can pay the rent. In this economy I am lucky to have a stable job.

We have tried cups but most of it goes down her... She shows no interest in it at all. A beaker sometimes works but again is hit and miss and she screams because she just wants mummy. It is actually breaking my heart and if there was ANY way around going back I would take it.

I went back to work as a teacher, too, when my DD was 7mo. Although I was really worried about it, everything was fine - she had a lunch of solid food at the childminders, a breastfeed for breakfast and when I collected her, and plenty of night feeds. Although I expressed she never took the milk so I gave up on EBM. After all, if a baby is medically approved to go 8 hours without breastmilk at night, they can manage a working day, so long as they get breastfed at night (it's called reverse cycling).

It's normal to get very sensitive about this! It's an extremely emotive topic!!! Leaving your wonderful baby is hard - but I speak from personal experience when I say it can also be fantastic to resume a working professional existance.

Mel

becstar · Nov 23rd, 2009, 13:06 PM

Thanks Melanie. It's just that she'll be 4 months 3 weeks when I go back so she won't be on solids... I know if it comes to it she can feed all night long but the first few days are going to be hellish for my husband, who will be looking after her.

MelanieF · Nov 23rd, 2009, 14:07 PM

Hi Becstar
There are some good ideas for starting a bottle of EBM here: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/bottle.html.

It's wonderful that your DH will be taking care of her. How lovely that she will gain a close relationship with both of her parents! It will set her up for good relationships with men for the rest of her life.

Does your DH have a good sling? I mean a cloth sling, not a westernised one? It is a wonderful way of comforting a fractious baby. Even if he can't breastfeed your baby, he can "nurse" the baby in a sling, holding baby close to his heart, rocking and walking, soothing with his voice and presence.

Dr Sears makes some comments about the importance of fathering, and how dads can get involved. He is also really good on calming fussy babies: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp

Best of luck,

Melanie

becstar · Nov 23rd, 2009, 17:13 PM

Thanks Melanie. Yes, we have a cloth sling and Daddy loves having her in it - he enjoys the closeness and also the smiles from the old ladies! Less so the patches of drool on his t-shirts... ;-)

charliesmom · Nov 23rd, 2009, 17:27 PM

deleted post

becstar · Nov 23rd, 2009, 17:29 PM

PS The LLL article was very reassuring, thank you.

Breastfeeding

If she doesn't take bottles of EBM by the time I go back to work

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