From breast to bottle at 5mnths

[1588]

With going back to work looming I was hoping to get LO started on the bottle at 5 mnths but all the follow on type milk says 6 mnths onwards. I was also hoping to start her on purees around about then too.

Please can you offer advice as to how to go about it.

Oh and I would try to keep feeding her whilst working but as a primary school teacher finding a quiet place to express is very hard. Also I went out for a meal the other night missing 2 feeds and my boobs were like rocks and I'm petrified of getting mastitis again ( 4 times)

Many thanks

 

[valentine]

Hey there,

I can't offer any advice on formula as I never used it, but could you use expressed milk for some of the feeds? I appreciate what you mean about expressing being difficult in a school but your employer has a legal responsibility to provide a private place and time for you to express (not using playtime or lunchtime) so they will NEED to provide a supply teacher/cover for you when you require to express and a private place to do so (even if you need to boot the HT out of her office!). I know this sounds like a big ask for your school, but they do need to respect this and honour this if you request it.

Re. the bottle feeding, does your LO already take a bottle? If not, you will need to start this asap. My DD didn't take well to a bottle and it took months to find one that suited for her EBM feeds. It may take a lot of trial and error.

Re. the weaning, I did BLW so waited til 6 months and started on finger foods, so I've no advice here, I'm sorry.

I totally admire you for wanting to keep breastfeeding while going back to work and really hope it works out for you.

Valentine Xxx

 

[1588]

Hey there,

I can't offer any advice on formula as I never used it, but could you use expressed milk for some of the feeds? I appreciate what you mean about expressing being difficult in a school but your employer has a legal responsibility to provide a private place and time for you to express (not using playtime or lunchtime) so they will NEED to provide a supply teacher/cover for you when you require to express and a private place to do so (even if you need to boot the HT out of her office!). I know this sounds like a big ask for your school, but they do need to respect this and honour this if you request it.



Valentine Xxx

I had no idea that they HAD to provide somewhere and that you could do it when you were supposed to be teaching. I don't think I'd be confident enough to ask for the time, especially as it's a private school too.

 

[valentine]

Hey,

I've just done some digging on this and it looks like it might only be legislation in Scotland. Can anyone else help? There are Mums on here who have returned to work, expressed while there and continued breastfeeding.

Is your headteacher/direct boss, someone you could approach to sound out about the time/space you require? They may be more accomodating than you expect?

Valentine Xxx

 

[newmum]

Can understand about the Mastitus
If you are going to give formula, you don't need to give follow on milk yet if she isn't 6 months. Eg. If you use Aptamil, just use Aptamil 1 which is for birth to 12 months. I don't know about the other brands but I guess they are all the same. The infant milks are designed to be used up to 1 year anyway so you don't necessarily need a follow on milk.
http://www.aptamil.co.uk/en/article.asp?chco_id=5252

 

[purplebluered]

I've just started the process of weaning LO from breast to bottle. We are intending to use Aptamil 1 and won't be using follow on milk as aptamil can be used from birth to 12 months, I don't intend to use follow on milk and will be making sure LO gets plenty of nutrients in the solids.

If you don't already, maybe try expressing a feed and giving a bottle now, so you know that LO will take a bottle. I used to express and then give a bottle for the 10pm feed. This meant that I was able to wean LO onto bottle knowing that he was fine with bottles. Some babies find it difficult to adjust to the change.

Having said that your employer should be accommodating regarding expressing whilst at work. It's worth talking to them before you plan to go back.

Hope you work something out

 

[valentine]

I had no idea that they HAD to provide somewhere and that you could do it when you were supposed to be teaching. I don't think I'd be confident enough to ask for the time, especially as it's a private school too.

I found this NHS leaflet and this leaflet written by the Health and Safety Executive for you regarding the legislation and recommendations regarding breastfeeding mothers in the workplace in England - I hope they are useful.

We have excellent laws protecting and encouraging breastfeeding mothers in Scotland, I only wish they were nationwide!

Good luck!

Valentine Xxx