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Forums :: Back to Work Issues :: Breastfeeding and Work: How to I maintain?

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Poster: bumblebeekee
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If you are exclusively breastfeeding, and your baby has never had a bottle, here are a few tips on transitioning back to work... 1. Before you return to work, try introducing a bottle of expressed breastmilk (not formula) to the baby-with Dad or a friend giving the bottle. This prevents the baby from "going on strike" by not breastfeeding in anger of "mom" who is associated with the breast, of offering something different. This often happens, and is what often causes premature weaning.. 2. Get a GOOD pump (Any store like Target, Walmart, or see your local Lactation Consultant, or WIC if you are eligible)... and start pumping and storing a few weeks before you return to work....This will give you a chance to see if you respond to a pump (as many successfully BF moms do not)at all, and to make any adjustments, exchanges if necessary. Its good to work with an LC to get things started with the pump... 3. Start working in the middle of the week, or go back to work part-time for a few weeks to make the transition smoother.... 4. When you pick up the baby, and right before drop-off, nurse the baby often to keep milk supply up....and to soothe any potential traumatizing seperation....this is okay for transition 5. Store milk properly! If you are blessed to make a lot of milk and can pump out many bottles, invest in a deep freezer or make arrangements to use part of your regular freezer long term storage of your milk....A LC can helo you with proper storage... 6. Make sure the caretaker whether professional daycare or a grandmom mom-can DEMONSTRATE to you proper procedures for thawing and giving breastmilk which is different from making a bottle of formula. If Frozen: It should be thawed in the fridge, and then swirled around to mix the fat and water which seperates when frozen as there is a lot of fat in breastmilk....Not shaken (builds bubbles=gas), and not microwaved! This is a no no anyways....They should have adequate storage in the fridge or freezer to store your milk, and if they are professional daycare, request a written policy on their practices for feeding a breast feeding infant, especially if you are back to work before the baby is 2 months old! Take enough bottles daily and record how much milk is being consumed by the baby DAILY..... 7. Talk to your employer about accomodations for pumping, or leaving your job to nurse the baby. You should NOT have to pump in the bathroom, and if there are no accomodations, ask for time to pump on your lunchbreak, or in your car to releive engorgement.....Your employer may also have a policy on this...request it, and make these inquiries, when you discover you are pregnant....Don't expect special treatment, and ensure your employer that you are eager to work when its time to come back....

by George! Group