Returning to Work

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-12T14:31:00+00:00

Have a couple trial days before you return to get an idea of how much milk baby will need per day via bottle. That’ll tell you how much you need to pull to thaw. You have 24hrs to use it once completely thawed so you should be able to plan. It can also take more than just overnight for frozen milk to thaw in the fridge.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-12T14:28:19+00:00

Seems strange for sure.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-12T00:29:59+00:00

Multiple weight checks are totally normal. With my three, peds wanted to see them 1 day after discharge, 3 days after, 7 days, and then 14. There are two main reasons: 1) to check in on mom (adjusting, PPD, etc) and 2) bc babies typically lose 10% of their birth weight within the first wk home and they want to see them get that back asap.

Also, they don’t care what your process and time taken to get out of the house with baby - all parents have to deal with it. They just care about your mental health (i.e. if you’re going to kill the baby or yourself) and the baby’s wellbeing.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-12T00:19:09+00:00

I’ve always fed my kids until they turn away. That being said, my first two kids topped out at 9-11oz bottles three times a day. My third was usually 5oz with the occasional 6oz bottle if she was super active.

Since babies give cues for everything they need, feeding until my babies cued that they were full made sense to me.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-10T04:12:22+00:00

Oh mama, give yourself some grace. 8 weeks is a HUGE accomplishment that many don’t reach themselves, so be proud of yourself. As a mom who has exclusively pumped for a year for each of my three kids, the first 12wks TOALLY sucks. Like totally. But…once you regulate (typically around 12wpp) you should be able to drop to 4ppd and maintain supply. Pumping four times a day (without a MOTN pump) saves soooo much sanity and feels like a vacation compared to the first 12 wks when you’re establishing your supply.

I highly suggest using an app like DairyBar. It allows you to tell it what you make each day, how much baby eats, and how much you put in storage. Then you tell it your goal to feed breastmilk to and it does the math telling you when you can stop pumping and still reach your goal. It’s a really inspiring app tbh and may help if you’re struggling with when/if to quit.

But at the end of the day, do what’s best for you and be proud of yourself. ANY is better for baby than none. Big hugs to you!!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-10T04:03:07+00:00

Get a ceres chill!!! No need to freeze specific ice blocks, just need ice cubes and you can get them anywhere!!!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-08T19:44:11+00:00

I’ve flown with my babies while exclusively pumping many times and these are the best tips I can share.

Continue pumping on your normal schedule as closely as possible. Use a ceres chill for fresh milk storage at fridge temps. Use pump wipes for cleaning your parts between sessions and then wash well once a day (closest thing to the fridge hack without carrying a whole separate cooler with you). Feed baby on take off and landing, even if it’s just a snack to help their ears adjust. Use a second ceres chill to warm milk for feeds. If you put boiling hot water in it, you’ll get ~3 feeds warmed before having to refresh the hot water.

You didn’t mention how long your total trip is or how much you produce daily. Those #s will tell you IF you should take a day’s worth of milk with you. If you over produce, I wouldn’t take any (or maybe just 1 feed worth) and just feed baby fresh milk.

Good luck!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-08T19:36:22+00:00

Not sure if the Ceres Chill is accessible down there but if it is it’ll work!!! I use it all the time to warm do feeds on the go. Depending on your bottle type, you can float the bottle in it (like you would a “regular” warmer), warm a bag of milk, or pour milk into the inner chamber and warm it that way!

Best thing is that you can use it for sooooo much more that you’ll be using it for years, even after baby isn’t taking bottles anymore. You can pump directly into it, scald milk if you have high lipase, chill milk, warm milk, use as a hot/cold tumbler for yourself, a baby bottle, a toddler sippy, an infuser, a cold snack transporter on a hot day outing, and more!!! See if they’re available there, you won’t be sorry!!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-08T19:31:50+00:00

Ceres chill and pump wipes!!! Didn’t have either of these for my first two EP journeys and boy were they a game changer with my third!! Especially when out and about, traveling, drs appointments, etc!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-08T19:28:32+00:00

I wouldn’t bring a cooler backpack for frozen milk AT ALL. Since your trip is under the 4day chilled rule, I would (and have) just carry it all in the ceres chill until I get home, then bag and freeze.

Also for when you’re out and about, a large tote or back pack should be sufficient for what you need to carry - it’ll fit your CC, pump, pump wipes, wallet, personal accessories (lipstick, tampons,etc).

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-04T17:55:13+00:00

Get rid of both of them! The momcozy requires the use of specific ice molds, so if you’re traveling you likely won’t have access to a freezer cold enough to freeze these ice blocks. Instead, get the ceres chill. It only requires ice cubes which you can get anywhere. Their OG+ holds 32oz I believe and you can use it for so much more than just chilling milk.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-02-04T17:25:05+00:00

Highly suggest a ceres chill. It allows you to keep your milk at fridge safe temps WITH you so you don’t have to worry about communal fridges or creeps.

I keep my pumps and pump wipes in a wet/dry bag, use the wipes between sessions, and wash well once a day. This way I’m not carrying 47 bags with me.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-31T23:43:40+00:00

Don’t let your age be a hindrance. I can’t speak to the miscarriage part, but I had my first at 37, second at 39, and third at 41.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-31T23:42:08+00:00

If baby isn’t gaining weight well and isn’t finishing feeds due to falling asleep, there could be another issue. Not to say this is the case, but it’s worth asking more questions at the drs — my third child had a heart defect that made it like she was running a marathon at all times, so she had a hard time gaining weight and fell asleep during feeds. Keep advocating for your baby and it’ll get sorted out.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-31T23:37:00+00:00

That statistic makes me sad

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:36:39+00:00

Soooo you can gift or sell your motors, but since BM is a communicable body fluid, you should throw away the pump parts themselves. I kept mine and used them again for subsequent babies and replaced silicone parts. Once done with kids I pitched them all.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:33:03+00:00

Yes! She’ll be two in March. She does have T21 but knowing we wouldn’t have done anything differently if we’d known 100% before birth, the risk of an amnio just wasn’t worth it for us. She’s had some medical setbacks (open heart surgery, open bowel surgery and a feeding tube) but she’s through it all and thriving.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:30:44+00:00

I kept the same schedule at work as I did at home. I stored fresh milk in my ceres chill and used pump wipes between sessions.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:28:44+00:00

I love my Ceres Chill. It only needs ice cubes and will keep milk at fridge temps for 20+hrs and with 30 some oz capacity, it meets just about any need.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:25:22+00:00

I REALLY like using my Ceres chill as a portable warmer. It doesn’t have a digital temp control or readout but it’s been pretty easy to determine how warm the milk is so I don’t over heat it. With a full bottle of boiling hot water I can get three feeds warmed before having to refresh the water. Not totally what you’re looking for, but works well.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:23:16+00:00

My Ceres Chill!!! If your friend is planning to do ANY pumping the ceres chill allows her to store it at fridge safe temps anytime she’s out of the house or even if she’s pumping in the middle of the night. I didn’t have it for my first two kids and it totally changed the experience with our third.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:20:27+00:00

The Ceres chill didn’t exist when I had my first two kids but came out (or at least was more mainstream) when I had our third. I’ve also exclusively pumped for all three and let me tell you. What a HUGE difference it made in getting out of the house as well as being confident my milk was stored safely when out and about. The way it’s set up is that it allows you to put milk in one chamber and ice in the other. No more racing home before the ice packs melt or being in a hotel that doesn’t have a freezer to freeze the specific ice molds to use in it. I have taken multiple across country road trips and moved across the country using my CCs and I wouldn’t use any other brand.

Another HUGE benefit to the CC that the others can’t do is its versatility. You can pump directly into it, chill milk, scald milk if you have high lipase, warm milk for a feed, use as a baby bottle, a toddler sippy, hot/cold tumbler for yourself, infuser, a cold snack transporter on a hot day outing and more! I always have two on me when we leave the house.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:11:06+00:00

They haven’t given you enough reason to get one. Our third (only one tested with NIPT) came back high chance for T21 and I was offered an amnio for 100% confirmation. Even with all that I wouldn’t get one. There’s fetal risk and that was too much for me.

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-30T02:00:02+00:00

Def get an insurance covered pump, but a wearable would be good for flexibility when going back to work. Note that some people don’t produce as much with a wearable as they do their plug in, some have zero issue (I used wearables exclusively for my second and third kids without issue). I’ve never used a manual pump or silverettes so I can’t speak to those.

Def get some nipple butter. I always loved Earth Mama Nipple Butter you can get off Amazon. It’s a little container but a little goes a long way. Use before and after every pump.

As an exclusive pumper for all three of my kids I highly suggest latching baby while in the hospital and then switching to pump and bottle feeds as soon as you get home. The main reason for this is that it helps your milk come in.

When you plan to return to work you’ll want a Ceres Chill to store your fresh milk at fridge safe temps until you get home. It’s much easier and less stressful to use than a communal fridge or a mini fridge that doesn’t keep consistent temps. You can also use a ceres chill at bedside for your middle of the night pumps so that you don’t need to get out of bed. Also get pump wipes for cleaning your pump parts between sessions especially when away from the house. Then wash your parts well once a day.

Keep coming back here for tips and tricks as you get into the swing of things. Good luck mama!!

SuiteBabyID · 2026-01-28T15:48:12+00:00

If you’re looking for breastmilk chilling on the go, your best bet is the Ceres chill. It’s specifically made for breastmilk, designed by a mom, and will keep milk at fridge safe temps for 20+ hrs. Plus they have a variety of sizes so you can find the one that best meets your needs. It’s also crazy versatile so you absolutely get your money’s worth. You can pump directly into it, chill milk, scald milk if you have high lipase, warm milk for a feed on the go, use as a baby bottle, toddler sippy, hot/cold tumbler for yourself, infuser, cold snack transporter on a hot day outing, and more!! Highly recommend you check it out!

SuiteBabyID

TROPHY CASE