{"id":2515,"date":"2014-10-22T21:40:48","date_gmt":"2014-10-22T21:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=2515"},"modified":"2015-01-27T22:44:21","modified_gmt":"2015-01-27T22:44:21","slug":"ask-an-expert-returning-to-work-and-keeping-milk-supply-steady","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=2515","title":{"rendered":"Ask an Expert: Returning to Work and Keeping Milk Supply Steady"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA<\/p>\n

Fan Question:<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve been breastfeeding my LO for 2 months. Two weeks ago I returned to work full time. I usually take 3-4 pump breaks a day. At my first pump I get about 5-6oz and every break after that 2.5-3oz. So collectively I bring home 10-14 oz a day. My son takes about 3 oz\/feed and I am worried I’m not going to be able to keep up and I can\u2019t afford to supplement. What advice can you give?”<\/p>\n

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Sounds like you\u2019re doing really well! On average, from 1-6 months, breastfed babies take 3-4 oz. per feed and about 25-30 oz.\/day. After they start solids, they need less milk. Many mothers worry that (like a formula-fed baby), their breastfed baby will need more milk as they grow, but that\u2019s not the case. As baby\u2019s growth rate slows, his need for milk stays about the same. To keep your milk production steady over the long term, keep an eye on your total number of milk removals (breastfeeds plus pumps) per day. Every mother has a Magic Number, the number of daily milk removals needed to keep milk supply steady. On average, this is around 7, but for some it\u2019s a little more and for some it\u2019s less.<\/p>\n

One way to keep this number stable is to focus on breastfeeding as often as possible when you and your baby are together. For example, breastfeed when you wake in the morning and again just before you leave your baby with the caregiver. Breastfeed before you leave the caregiver after work and as often as possible when you\u2019re together. Think of it this way: every extra breastfeeding means 3-4 oz less you\u2019ll need to leave while you\u2019re at work. Read more about the Magic Number on my blog: http:\/\/www.nancymohrbacher.com\/blog\/tag\/magic-number<\/a><\/p>\n

Pacing bottle feeds while you\u2019re at work can also help baby feel full with the least amount of milk. For details, see my free handout for the caregiver of a breastfed baby: http:\/\/issuu.com\/nancymohrbacher\/docs\/mohrbachercaregiverbfbabyrev2\/1<\/a><\/p>\n

To simplify your life as a working and breastfeeding mother, I\u2019ve included lots of great tips in my new book, Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple (available in e-formats and paperback): http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Working-Breastfeeding-Simple-Nancy-Mohrbacher\/dp\/1939807131\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413648378&sr=1-1&keywords=working+and+breastfeeding+made+simple<\/a><\/p>\n

I also cover keeping milk production steady in my Breastfeeding Solutions app for Android and iPhones: http:\/\/www.nancymohrbacher.com\/app-support\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Best of luck!<\/p>\n

\"unnamed\"<\/a><\/b>Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA<\/b> is a board-certified lactation consultant in the Chicago area who has been helping breastfeeding families since 1982. Her books for professionals are used worldwide. Her books for parents include Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers<\/i><\/b><\/a>, <\/b><\/em>which she co-authored with Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, and her tiny problem-solving guide, Breastfeeding Solutions<\/i><\/b><\/a> <\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>In 2013, Nancy released her Breastfeeding Solutions smartphone app<\/a> (available for Android and iPhones) to give mothers a quick, go-everywhere source of breastfeeding help. Nancy speaks at events around the world.
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