Your Questions Answered
Working and Breastfeeding-How can I manage?
In the United States more than 50% of mothers with infants younger than a year old are employed outside the home. Many of these women have found combining working with breastfeeding to be a happy, satisfying, and rewarding experience.
There are many advantages to continue breastfeeding. Breast milk is the perfect, nutritionally balanced food made specifically for your baby. Unlike formula, breast milk changes as your baby grows. Breast milk contains antibodies to protect your baby from allergies and illness. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that breast fed babies are 75% less likely to become ill and are hospitalized 10 to 15 times less than formula fed babies. Healthy babies mean less worry and less missed work time. Equally important, breastfeeding provides a rich emotional bond between mother and baby. Financially, breastfeeding families save an average of $2088.00 in formula costs in the first year.
Getting Started
The best preparation for breastfeeding after returning to work is establishing a positive breastfeeding experience in the first 4 to 6 weeks. Breastfeeding your baby exclusively 8 to 10 times in 24 hours and approximately 15 minutes on each breast will help you to develop an adequate milk supply to meet your baby’s needs.
There are many ways to incorporate breastfeeding into the workday. Some mothers combine breastfeeding with formula. They enjoy breastfeeding in the morning and when they return home after work. If this is the method chosen, the mother will want to alter her breastfeeding pattern 5 to 7 days before returning to work.
Many mothers choose to provide their baby with the benefits of breast milk when they are at work. The mother breastfeeds her baby when they are together and expresses milk when they are apart. Expressing milk allows her to remain physically comfortable at work, provides her baby with breast milk, and promotes a sense of calm and connection to her baby while she is at work.
Expressing Milk
Expressing milk 5 to 7 days before returning to work allows the mother time to become comfortable with pumping and enable her to “stock pile” a supply of frozen milk for future use. When away from the baby, milk is expressed every 3 to 4 hours depending on the age of the baby. Expressing in a comfortable area while looking at a picture of their baby helps mothers relax and facilitates the flow of milk. Some companies offer their breastfeeding employees a quiet place to express their milk.
Breast milk is very hardy! Expressed milk can stay at room temperature for 4 to 10 hours. It may also be kept refrigerated 5-7 days or in the freezer for 3-6 months. Frozen breastmilk can be thawed by placing the bottled milk in the refrigerator overnight or in a cup of warm water. Breast milk cannot be re-frozen, so, once thawed, it must be used within 24 hours. Never microwave breast milk for it kills the live cells that make it healthy.
There are several methods that may be used to express milk. Some women choose to hand express while many find using an electric breast pump to be quicker and more efficient. Consider how old your baby will be when you return to work, if you will be working full time or part time, how often you will be expressing your milk at work and at home, the amount of time you will have to pump, and how long you plan on expressing milk for your baby. Everyone’s situation is unique and a lactation consultant can work with you to give you information to help you feel confident.
As you journey through the first year of motherhood, you will be faced with many joys and challenges. We at Harbour Women’s Health are here to answer your questions and help you choose the best option for you and your baby.
Harbour Women’s Health offers a comprehensive lactation service that includes a monthly prenatal breastfeeding education class, office and hospital consultations, weekly breastfeeding support group meetings, and rental and sales of Medela breast pumps and supplies.
Jan Archambault, RNBCLC
Jan Archambault received her BS in Nursing in 1979 and became a Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 1990. She has specialized in maternal/child nursing for 15 years and is committed to helping mothers nurture and nourish their babies. She is available to help you with your breastfeeding questions and concerns.