WHICH FORMULA?
As to choosing formula, they all have different compositions, and vary slightly, see our guide under 'Infant Formula' - and 'whey based formula' but there's no one "best" and it's probably a matter of trial and error. Speak to your Health Visitor, friends and family for suggestions.

STRESSFUL
Going back to work is often stressful, but it gets easier with time, and it can actually be of benefit when moving your child into a new routine or different environment, to have a 'constant' like breastfeeding. As Fiona says: "Plenty of people have told me that I make life hard for myself by continuing to bf once I'm back at work, but I disagree. For me it has certainly eased the transition".

PLANNING
There are undeniably anxieties that go with returning to work, and leaving your baby in someone else's care. But, once you get into the swing of things, you may well find that it's nowhere near as difficult as you imagined. What you fear is often worse than reality. Good luck, whatever you decide. Enjoy this time at home, don't waste your energy on guilt, and try to make positive plans for returning to work.

Do bear in mind that your baby may not like bottles, or formula, or being fed by someone other than you though, and don't get too set on one course of action. Also, if you're planning to introduce solids to minimise the amount of supplemental feeds you need to provide for your baby, don't expect an instant drop in breastfeeds once you start solids. It's very variable: some babies will be eating loads of their solids happily almost as soon as they start, but not all, so don't rely on it.

There's another piece about returning to work, here: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding/beyond_barbara.php

And this is a link to an American Website ' The Working Cow ' about breastfeeding working mums