Rob,
My own experience with working (stressfull new job) when my baby was about 6
months old was a frustrating decrease in milk supply. This was experienced
by a friend as well. I know that this is NOT uncommon. It seemed to be
related to the stress and the ability to only pump about every 4-5 hours
(not bad, but probably not quite enough either). My older cousin had told me
about this happening. Her advice had been to just get through the week and
then do nothing on the weekend but nurse, nurse, nurse! And, of course, eat
and rest. This did work with a crazy milk production schedule: minimal milk
by Friday and then built up again by Monday. Up and down. We also did lots
of night-time nursing during those months. I'm sure that this was what
enabled us to continue nursing. I did start using some ABM at this point
too. Honestly, stressing over trying to be sure Teagan had enough milk for
the day was not helping the situation. Once we started using the ABM (yes,
this was HARD to do, but...) I was able to worry less, and then I made more
milk :)  At close to 1 year, I was just hoping to be able to make it to a
year. I then felt quite a sense of relief for having made it to a year. I
felt if we stopped then it was OK (not great, but it had been a very tough
year in general). Breastfeeding, however, suddenly got easier then. There
was still a lot of night-time nursing until she was 18-24 months old. Of
course, we are still breastfeeding at over 2 1/2 years. No, I don't need to
pump anymore. I haven't for, actually, I don't know how long. More than a
year, though, I'm sure. As a working mom, I cannot imagine not breastfeeding
my child. It has been just wonderful! (See how fast you forget the tough
times!) it's the first thing we do when I get home. She also nurses as we
fall asleep and when we wake up. If I'm home during the day, she does nurse
more. When I've gone to conferences, she's gone along with me (she's a quiet
child).

So, my suggestions would be to try to relax. Fretting about the supply is a
killer to production. Breastfeed as much as possible whenever possible. Save
time off for baby time and momma time, not cleaning the house. Plan on and
encourage night-time feedings. This is hard to do when mom is probably
already exhausted, but I often slept once Teagan got latched on and all.
Have mom sleep with her baby. This obviously facilitates night-time
feedings. And if mom has been at work all day, there's nothing better as you
fall asleep than to see  your contended baby sleeping right next to you.
While night-time with baby may not be *quality-time* it is important
skin-to-skin time where mom can caress baby and baby touches mom. Encourage
this mom. It will get better and easier.

Mari Douma, DO