Dropping one feed due to work schedule-will that change regular supply?

[yellow rose]

I have recently gone back to work and have been pumping twice during my work day, however, this is very hard to manage with my schedule.  I am thinking it would be okay to drop the second pumping time and have my 7 month old take formula at that time of day rather than a bottle of breastmilk.  I can usually pump 5-6 ounces per session, so I can get one bottle pumped at work.  So, I would nurse him at 6:00 a.m., then pump at 11:00 or 11:30 (nurse him on the weekends though) and not nurse him again until 6:15 p.m.  Will this mess up my supply as a whole because there is such a large gap of time there?  I know I could pump at night or something, but I honestly really don't want to do that.  I know that sounds selfish.  Any thoughts???

[jbepko]

Since your supply is well-established at this point, it hsould be fine- but it can be a slippery slope with offering the formula. I never pumped in the afternoon but was always able to nurse him for that afternoon feeding on the weekends. Really concentrate on nursing on the weekends- avoid formula on the weekends if at all possible. Those weekend nursings will boost your supply. You may want to continue pumping mid-day on the weekend just in case your output drops a bit. If you notice your supply drop then a nightly pumping session is easier to "add-in" than at work. My nightly pumping session was my protected 20 minutes of computer time- which I miss!! 

[yellow rose]

Thanks!  I'll let you know how things go.