Breastfeeding and going back to work

I knew when I got pregnant that I would have to go back to work once the baby was here.  It is a decision I struggle with everyday as I alluded last week.  As my maternity leave drew to a close I scoured the internet trying to find good articles about returning to work and breastfeed but could not find any.  SO I hope that my experience helps someone out.

As I said on Friday I was exclusively breastfeeding (no pumping) until Ellison was 10 weeks old.  I started by pumping 2 times a day and giving him the fresh milk in a bottle.  I would pump both sides at one time for 15 minutes.  I would get about 8-12 ounces of milk.  He did not like the bottle at first but warmed up to it by the time I went back to work when he was 12 weeks old.  Instead of holding him while giving him the bottle we laid him in the napping nanny and did it that way.  It really worked much better since that was nothing like nursing.

At 12 weeks I reluctantly went back to work.  When I returned I pumped 4 times a day. My day looked a little like this: wake at 5:15 and nurse Ellison in bed.  Pump at 7:30, 10:00, 1:00, and 4:30.  Then nurse Ellison to sleep at 8PM and nurse him whenever he would wake up at night (usually 2-4 times).   I would pump both sides at the same time for 15 minutes.  I would get anywhere from 8-12 ounces of milk each time.  When he turned 6 months old I reduced to pumping 3 times a day.  Now my day looks like this: wake at 5:15 and nurse Ellison in bed; pump at 7:30, 12:00, and 4:30.  I still nurse him to sleep at 8PM and when he wakes up at night (it is still 2-4 times a night).  I store the milk in milk storage bags during the day (I have a small refrigerator in my office...you can find a cheap one at Lowes...like $60) and put them in the freezer once I get home at night.  I have about a 2 month stash in our deep freezer and I use the oldest milk first…for example Ellison drank milk today dated Nov 16^th.

When Ellison turned 11 months old I plan to reduce my pumping sessions to two.  Probably at 8AM and another around 2PM.  I will still pump 15 minutes and try to reduce that down little by little.  I want to wean myself from pumping a little after Ellison turns a year old...with that being said I do not plan on weaning Ellison!
 

As for defrosting the milk here are my steps: in the morning before work I take the milk out of the freezer and put it into a covered glass bowl in the refrigerator. (I remove the milk storage bag by running the bag under cool water until the milk will slip right out)  The milk defrosts in the refrigerator all day and is ready to pour either that evening or the next morning.

I use this pump and these milk storage bags.

If there are any questions just comment or email me at lifeofascott@gmail.com.  If I get a few questions I might compile those into a post of their own.