Working moms/mums - come and share tips and support!

[liacarmen]

Thanks gals, I get too hung up on this routine business - not that we have a strict one, we certainly don't and that's what I worry about!

[lovedtodeath]

I break it down to the purpose of the routines... is my baby cranky and overtired? Am I having trouble reading his cues? Is he waking more frequently at night or naptime? If the answers are no, then you are fine. The schedule isn't meant to be strict, but a loose structure. HTH some more

[liacarmen]

You're right - he's doing just great with our loose schedule. I'll stop worrying about it.

Tell me this, how often do you working moms pump at work? Does the frequency required decrease as your lo's age? I'm pumping three times in an 8 hour day. It's going fine - he's taking 15 ounces while I'm gone and I've been pumping between 14 and 17 ounces a day (hate those 14 ounce days).

[momnew]

I so should be working on a project right now, doing Baby Whisperer at work.....

anyway....

DD is transitioning from 3.5 EASY to 4 Easy. So right now I pump 2xs and get around 5 Oz each time. What has made a world of difference for me is that I got a larger attachment to pump. I use the pump and style medlea. I read somewhere on their website that a little of 70% of women need larger breast shields. So I went up a size and got more, then I went up one more size and got even more milk. There are certain times when I have to get another bottle to get all the milk. (esp if I am drinking my water and oatmeal like I should).

[lyndsy_p]

I pump as many times as my Lo would eat. So before 2 weeks ago I was pumping every 4-4.5hrs. Now we have switched to 3 feeds, so I pump at 11am and 7pm (depending on the shift I work).

HTH
Lyndsy

[Bryony]

I do the same as Lyndsey. I dont quite get enough this way so I do an extra pumping sometimes on days when I am not working.

Bryony

[momnew]

Going crazy. I just can't seem to get it all done. I've been back to work for about a month now, I don't know how you ladies deal with projects at work, cleaning the house, picking up your kids, exercising, giving your DH attention, pumping, leaving time away from work to pump without every talking about it, etc.
 
I am about to self destruct in 5....4....3....2...ahhhh

[Bryony]

I know what you mean!!!

I just pump at my desk or in meetings though - no way I could disappear for 20 mins...  I am in an open plan office and no-one has yet noticed (or if they have, they have been too polite to say anything  )

[lyndsy_p]

Yes Byrony is a brave mommy, momnew. I close and lock my door, but I am usually done in 8-10mins. Not too much to ask, especially now that we've cut down to 3 feeds. I am looking forward to getting rid of that 11am feed to be honest, it will be much easier. Just to let you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I have to say that exercising is last on my list these days...it used to be 1st. My family and I go for walks, but as for weight training, I haven't done that since, well, um, June! I have replaced my yerning for weight training with my yerning for sleep. I go to bed really early now!

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Exercise??  Who has time for exercise?? LOL  Seriously, that is last on my list, although it should be much higher.  At this point, I'm glad when I make it through the day on the bare minimum

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I figure exercise is carrying a load of laundry, a toddler and a preschooler up and down the stairs and in and out of the car!

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Works for me 

[MJMom]

Going crazy. I just can't seem to get it all done. I've been back to work for about a month now, I don't know how you ladies deal with projects at work, cleaning the house, picking up your kids, exercising, giving your DH attention, pumping, leaving time away from work to pump without every talking about it, etc.
 
I am about to self destruct in 5....4....3....2...ahhhh

Let's see... i have a cleaning lady... nanny picks up after the kiddo, i don't exercise, Dh has been ignored...

that leaves - projects at work, playing with my little chitlin, and pumping...

oh yes... and lots of BW time! 

[momnew]

That makes me feel a little better. I almost lost it again today. Last night I went to bed and set my alarm clock for a 10:30 DF, but I set it for the morning instead of the evening. I didn't feed my child last night!!!! I am a bad mom.

I also was trying to feed and pump this morning and she kicked the bottle, it fell on the ground and I lost a little over an ounce. It was like it was happening in slow motion and I was thinking nooooooooooo.

What fun days. I suppose I'm just going through a rough patch here. Your comments have made me laugh though. Thanks for making my day a little brighter.

[lyndsy_p]

Last night I went to bed and set my alarm clock for a 10:30 DF, but I set it for the morning instead of the evening. I didn't feed my child last night!!!! I am a bad mom.

I also was trying to feed and pump this morning and she kicked the bottle, it fell on the ground and I lost a little over an ounce. It was like it was happening in slow motion and I was thinking nooooooooooo.

1. Not a bad mom sweetie, just a tired one, join the club. When did he wake to eat?

2. That stuff is liquid gold isn't it? I guess this is where they get the phrase "don't cry over spilled milk."

Lyndsy