Breast-feeding while working outside the home
You can continue to breast-feed once you return to work. However, it is important to think ahead about practical issues, such as where to store your pumped milk.
Some general issues to consider include:
- Employer support. Before your child is born, talk to your employer about your breast-feeding plans. Point out the benefits of continuing to breast-feed, such as greater personal satisfaction and possibly fewer sick days off because of your breast-fed baby's reduced risk of some illnesses.
- Timing. If possible, wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby before returning to work. This helps ensure that your milk production is established. Try to time your first day back toward the end of the work week rather than the beginning. This helps you adjust to working again.
- Logistics. Work out the details of where you can pump or breast-feed, and how you will store your breast milk. Also, plan for how frequently you will need to breast-feed or pump and how long it will take. You may be able to pump your breasts during your normally scheduled breaks or over your lunch period. To minimize the number of breaks you need to take at work, breast-feed just before and after work.
- Preparing your baby. If you are certain that you will be returning to work, show your baby how to drink from a bottle, or even a cup if your baby is older. Before going back to work but after breast-feeding has been well established, have someone other than yourself offer your baby a bottle of breast milk. Try this at least an hour before the next feeding is due and at a time of the day that your baby is usually happy. Don't force the baby to drink from the bottle. If he or she refuses, wait a couple of days and try again. When your baby drinks from a bottle easily, continue to offer one every so often. About 7 to 10 days before returning to work, give the baby feedings from a bottle more regularly. You will go and pump while someone else does the feeding.
- Preparing yourself. Be aware that the first week back to work typically is the most difficult and exhausting. Plan on pumping several times a day. A typical schedule would be mid-morning, lunchtime, and mid-afternoon. Stop pumping when you have a reasonable amount of milk or after about 20 minutes, whichever comes first. If possible, it may help to make your first day back to work mid-week. This can help you and your baby ease into your new routine.
- Making sure you maintain your milk supply. If your supply is a little low, pump more often—even if little milk is coming out. This will tell your body that you need more milk. In a few days, your milk supply will catch up to the demand.
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley | Last Updated: June 28, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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