In my limited experience, mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding prior to returning to work can find bottle feeding their baby in the days before returning to work very emotionally stressful. 

Often the baby won't take the bottle from mum and then the mother becomes frantic and the last few days together are spent upset, making the transition back to work unnecessarily stressful. 

I find that as long as mum knows how to work her pump and has some extra milk stashed away, the baby will take enough milk to get by and over the first week the baby will increase their intake as they realize mum isn't around. 

I also explain to mothers about reverse cycling and encourage mums to feed frequently when they are back together. 

Tania Archbold
www.mothersnectar.ca



On 2011-11-17, at 16:20, Terri Klein <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Dear Lactnetters,
> Hoping you will share some information with me. The moms that are breastfeeding and returning to work. Do you ever recommend a week prior to returning to work to try to offer bottle and or pump the hours she will be gone? Just wondering if this would help her body adjust during those hours to keep from feeling over full or engorgement and leaking. 
> There is alot of information about pumping after feedings or a side that baby has not nursed. Pumping in the morning or 30-60 min before or after a feeding. Most moms start storing milk 2-4 wks after the birth. 
> I have some moms that need to return to work 2-3 wks after birth. Sad but true.
> Thank you as always,
> Terri Klein RN, IBCLC, RLC
> 
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