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Breastfeeding & Working: Yes You Can!
by Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC
Division of Neonatology
Ask any mother working outside the home: juggling family and job responsibilities is a daily balancing act. Mothers with brand-new babies face even greater challenges. If you are getting ready to return to work after the birth of a baby, you might be concerned about how to continue to breastfeed. But don't worry. With some advance planning, it is possible to combine work and breastfeeding successfully.
Why continue to breastfeed when returning to work?
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Breastmilk offers superior infant nutrition.
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Breastfed babies have significantly fewer respiratory-tract and ear infections than bottle-fed babies.
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Breastfeeding may have a long-term positive effect on an infant's immune system.
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Breastfeeding may help a mother return to her pre-pregnancy size more quickly and may lower the risk of breast cancer.
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Breastfeeding is more convenient and less expensive than bottle-feeding, saving $1,000 a year in formula cost.
How does your employer benefit?
- Reduced staff turnover and loss of skilled workers after the birth of a child.
- Less sick-time/personal leave due to a sick child.
- Lower and fewer health insurance claims.
- Increased job productivity, employee satisfaction, loyalty and morale.
Talk with your employer before your baby is born.
- Explain to your employer the health benefits of breastfeeding for your baby.
- Let your employer know that less absenteeism among breastfeeding mothers is a bonus for cost-conscious employers.
- Discuss your company's maternity leave, part time work and job sharing policies and arrange for flexible breaks and work hours to accommodate pumping and breastfeeding.
- Encourage your employer to provide a private area that is clean and comfortable to express milk during work hours and a small refrigerator for safe storage of breastmilk.
- Educate your employer about AB 1025 (Frommer), which went into effect January 1, 2002: Employers are required to make reasonable effort to provide time and an adequate place for employees to pump breastmilk. (http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm)
Helpful hints for breastfeeding and working.
- Nurse exclusively to establish a good supply of milk before returning to work.
- At about four to six weeks, after your milk is well established and your baby is nursing well, introduce a bottle of your pumped breastmilk. Some babies are more receptive to a bottle if someone other than you offers it since babies usually associate breastfeeding with Mom.
- Purchase or rent a high-quality, automatic, electric breast pump.
- Familiarize yourself with the use of your electric breast pump before returning to work. Begin your pumping schedule about one to two weeks before you return.
- Use a double-pumping kit with your electric breast pump to reduce the amount of time needed to express your milk. Most mothers can complete a pumping session in 10 to 15 minutes by expressing both breasts simultaneously.
- To ease your transition back to work, try to return midweek so that you have only a few days before the weekend.
- If your company does not have a special room for mothers who are breastpumping, find a spot that is as private and comfortable as possible. Bring something to drink, a small snack, and a picture of your baby to make your surroundings feel more like home. If you have difficulty letting down, take a few deep breaths, listen to soothing music and look at a picture of your baby.
- Select a supportive caregiver for your baby. Give your caregiver explicit, written instructions on how to store, thaw and warm breastmilk.
- Explain to your caregiver that, if possible, your baby should not be fed within a couple of hours of your return, so your baby will be ready to breastfeed as soon as you come home from work.
Tips for success:
- Give yourself and your family time to settle in to your new life.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a nutritious diet of wholesome foods.
- Ask family members or friends to help with meals and housework. Focus on the things that really need to be accomplished.
- Give yourself time to rest when you get home from work.
- Ask other family members to cuddle and comfort the baby while you do other tasks.
- Prepare your baby's father for his role in supporting your breastfeeding activities.
- Consult a lactation professional for information and support.
For further information:
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