"I'm about to return to school after 5 weeks off following the birth of my second child. I calculated that I'll need to leave 20 bottles of breast milk for my son for the days that I'm on call. This seems very overwhelming. does anyone have experience with the best way to handle sole breast feeding and a q4 call schedule?" RS, January 2000

ANSWER 1
"Although I am a second year and don't have much experience with call, I have been breastfeeding my 7-month old exclusively since she was born -- 4 days before the beginning of secnod year. Every hospital usually has a breast pumping room -- some just for the patients (usually near the NICU), and some also for employees. Check with the lactation consultant at the hospital where you'll be rotating, and I am almost certain something can be arranged. Then buy a good pump (they may have pumps in the rooms, though) and go there periodically on your breaks. Of course, you should also try to pump as much as you can at home first, to get a head start." RM (April 2000)

ANSWER 2
"I am not a med student yet and do not know about being on call, but I am a mother and have experienced breastfeeding. My advice would be to pump and freeze breast milk whenever possible. There are bags specially made to store human breast milk in, and they are quite handy. Pump during nap times, or any time that you know your child will not be eating for awhile. You will be surprised how quickly the milk adds up in the freezer! This way, you will have a back up supply when it comes time to be away for an extended period of time. Good Luck!" AK

ANSWER 3

"When you are on call it makes a big difference if you can have your husband bring your baby even once or twice during your shift. The baby will always be able to drain your breasts better than a pump (in my experience, anyway.) It will make the pumping easier if you don't have to do it for every feed." HH (August 2000)