BREASTFEEDING AND THE WORKING MOTHER
Do I have to stop breastfeeding when I return to work?
Not at all — you really can work and continue to breastfeed. In fact, in 1990 more working mothers continued nursing than did mothers who stayed at home.
The longer you're able to spend with your baby in the first months of her life, the easier it will be to establish a strong breastfeeding relationship and a reliable milk supply. An extended maternity leave will help greatly. If you're adamant that you want to exclusively breastfeed your baby and your work situation is less than supportive, you can ask your pediatrician for a medical excuse to extend your leave. But if you must return to work after only a short time, you may want to give pumping a try. A lot of women have successfully pumped for months, even after returning to work only two months after their baby's birth.
How can I make it work?
It all depends on your job situation. If you live near work or have on-site daycare, you may be able to take nursing breaks to feed your baby. But if neither is the case, you essentially have two choices:
Option 1: If you want to breastfeed exclusively, or if your baby is allergic to formula, you can keep up your milk supply by using a breast pump to express milk during the workday. Then you save it for your child's caregiver to give her the next day — mixed with formula if you can't produce enough milk. You'll still be able to nurse her yourself on weekends and days off, and nights and mornings.
Your milk supply will vary daily. In fact, pumping will stimulate only a third of your regular milk production. To produce the most milk, try to pump at the same time and place.
Stress and fatigue are your biggest enemies — big deadline days may mean less milk, but a good night's rest will usually remedy that problem. Remember, you're still a nursing mom, so eat well and drink plenty of water while at work.
Option 2: Before returning to work, you can gradually replace daytime feedings with formula, but continue to nurse at night and in the morning. However, not nursing or pumping during the day will diminish your milk supply. The milk your body produces may not be enough to satisfy your baby.
How can I keep my breasts from leaking at work?
You can't. During the first week or two of pumping and working, your breasts will probably feel very full at feeding times and may leak milk. If this happens, try folding your arms and pressing them against your nipples. Some clothes — such as prints and loose tops — won't show leaks as much, but breast pads should help you avoid the problem altogether. Button-front dresses or loose shirts and sweaters you can pull up easily will also be more convenient for pumping
Not at all — you really can work and continue to breastfeed. In fact, in 1990 more working mothers continued nursing than did mothers who stayed at home.
The longer you're able to spend with your baby in the first months of her life, the easier it will be to establish a strong breastfeeding relationship and a reliable milk supply. An extended maternity leave will help greatly. If you're adamant that you want to exclusively breastfeed your baby and your work situation is less than supportive, you can ask your pediatrician for a medical excuse to extend your leave. But if you must return to work after only a short time, you may want to give pumping a try. A lot of women have successfully pumped for months, even after returning to work only two months after their baby's birth.
How can I make it work?
It all depends on your job situation. If you live near work or have on-site daycare, you may be able to take nursing breaks to feed your baby. But if neither is the case, you essentially have two choices:
Option 1: If you want to breastfeed exclusively, or if your baby is allergic to formula, you can keep up your milk supply by using a breast pump to express milk during the workday. Then you save it for your child's caregiver to give her the next day — mixed with formula if you can't produce enough milk. You'll still be able to nurse her yourself on weekends and days off, and nights and mornings.
Your milk supply will vary daily. In fact, pumping will stimulate only a third of your regular milk production. To produce the most milk, try to pump at the same time and place.
Stress and fatigue are your biggest enemies — big deadline days may mean less milk, but a good night's rest will usually remedy that problem. Remember, you're still a nursing mom, so eat well and drink plenty of water while at work.
Option 2: Before returning to work, you can gradually replace daytime feedings with formula, but continue to nurse at night and in the morning. However, not nursing or pumping during the day will diminish your milk supply. The milk your body produces may not be enough to satisfy your baby.
How can I keep my breasts from leaking at work?
You can't. During the first week or two of pumping and working, your breasts will probably feel very full at feeding times and may leak milk. If this happens, try folding your arms and pressing them against your nipples. Some clothes — such as prints and loose tops — won't show leaks as much, but breast pads should help you avoid the problem altogether. Button-front dresses or loose shirts and sweaters you can pull up easily will also be more convenient for pumping
