Question:

I am going back to work and my 6 month old son will start day care. I plan to breast feed him in the morning and at night before bed. I have a freezer full of breast milk so he can continue to have it while I am at work and he is at day care. I will not be pumping at work.

However, I would like to continue to breastfeed him on the weekends. Is this possible? What will happen to my supply when I am only doing 2 feedings during the week but want to do it fulltime on the weekends?

Answer:

Your milk supply will diminish during the week and partially recover on the weekend.

You may be a bit uncomfortable at first at work when you go a whole day without pumping.

You could try pumping just before work, lunch hour (?), and as soon as you get back home.

Also pumping once during the night, or feeding the baby once during the night would help maintain your supply.

Freshly pumped milk is best for protecting the baby from the viruses he will come in contact with at day care.

Frozen milk is still better than formula, however. A combination of fresh and frozen breast milk is fine.

Best of luck and have a safe and healthy winter.

For more information:

Go to the Breast Feeding health topic.