Work and Breastfeed 

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You can go back to work and still breastfeed. Regular stimulation and “emptying” of breasts will maintain your milk supply. Nurse your baby in the morning before you leave for work. This may mean setting your alarm clock ahead to allow enough time to nurse. While at work, plan to pump about every three hours, or as often as your baby usually nurses when you are both home. 

Expressing Milk

Pumping both breasts with a hospital-grade electric breastpump, such as the Lactina Select, Symphony or the Pump-In-Style saves you time at work, allowing you to pump in only 15 minutes.  

Illinois legislation passed in July 2001 mandates necessary unpaid break times at places of employment for women to pump. It is your right to have a 15 minute morning break, a 15 minute afternoon break, and a 30 minute lunch break at which times you can pump. If you cannot take your full 15 minute break to express, it’s still better to express for 5-10 minutes than not at all.  Legislation also mandates that a private room be made available for pumping so that you are not forced to pump in a toilet stall. 

Tips on Expressing: 

  • Begin expressing and collecting your milk about two weeks before returning to work.
  • Express milk about 1 hour after breastfeeding in the morning or between feedings.
  • Either freeze your milk in hard plastic bottles, such as the Milk Mate Storage Unit which retails at $15.00 or pump directly into Medela plastic storage bags which retail at $12.00 for a count of 20 or $21.00 for a count of 50.  Either system allows you to pump directly into the storage containers that you will use to freeze or refrigerate your milk. Both products are available at Breast ‘N Baby Lactation Services, Inc.
  • Store your milk in small quantities, ie. 2-4 ounces.  You will have less milk wastage, and these small quantities can be used to mix with cereal once your baby begins solids.
  • Don’t become frustrated if at first you do not pump a lot of milk. Your supply will increase as more is demanded. You will slowly build up your supply.
  • Relaxation helps to express more milk. Take a few breaths, a few arm circles, a few neck rolls, prop up your feet, close your eyes, and then pump.  If you find yourself staring at the milk collection containers, I suggest you place a receiving blanket over the containers to enhance your relaxation, and thus your letdown. You will notice more milk volume when you are able to relax.
  • Dressing in layers can make pumping at work more comfortable. Wear two-piece outfits or clothes that button in the front to make expressing milk easier.
  • Look at a picture of your baby when you pump at work to make it easier to express your milk.
  • A Vehicle Lighter Adaptor by Medela retails for $16.00 at Breast ‘N Baby Lactation Services, Inc. for those of you who are required to travel a lot in your car for work.

After Work

Plan to spend your first 30 minutes to an hour home after work nursing your baby as often as he/she seems interested.  This is what I call “catch-up” time. Your baby has squenched his/her appetite during the day like you would nibble at an unfavorite entrée served at a friend’s house. Both of you would eagerly await a favorite food item and consume it greedily. Well, your baby has awaited your arrival and is now consuming his/her favorite, delicious meal – your breastmilk.  Allowing your baby is nurse frequently when reunited will help you maintain your milk supply and will sustain the breastfeeding relationship.  Once your baby’s needs are met, you will find plenty of time to prepare dinner.  Remember, your baby’s needs in this fashion only lasts a short time, but the benefits of breastfeeding will last a lifetime. 

Support of Family/Significant Other

The support of those around you can contribute to your ability to work and breastfeed.  A supportive caregiver will willingly provide your expressed breastmilk to your baby in your absence and offer you words of encouragement.  An understanding significant other can wait an additional 30 minutes for dinner, or may prepare dinner himself.  He will reap the benefits of less time off of work for a sick baby if the breastfeeding relationship can be maintained.  He may also reap the benefit of more undisturbed sleep hours at night because he won’t have to help with giving your little one bottles at night.  (Perhaps, he’ll merely have to bring the baby to you to nurse.) 

Weekend Feedings

Allow your baby to nurse as often as possible on the weekends, or other days that you are off work. Do not follow your supplementation schedule of the workday.  Your milk volume may lessen after several days of work.  The best way to replenish your supply is to keep your baby at the breast. With a little guidance and reassurance, your baby will learn to nurse when in your presence, and to take the bottle in your absence.  If unrestricted nursing takes place on the weekend, you’ll notice a replenished volume of milk expressed on Monday while pumping at work. 

Breastfeeding and Offering Solids

Another important step to maintain your milk volume is to offer your breast first before offering solids when your baby has reached the age to begin taking foods.  Your baby is much more apt to remain at the breast and feed longer before taking solids than after the solids.  It makes sense!  I can drink a larger glass of water before my meal than after I’ve stuffed myself with a plate full of meat, potatoes, and gravy.  

Collection and Storage of Milk

Try the following tips:

  • Store your expressed milk in a refrigerator or cooler specifically for breastmilk storage.  The Pump-In-Style has a storage container with 3 ice packs which will store your milk for up to 12 hours.
  • Label each container of expressed milk with your baby’s name and the date that you pumped it.  Use the oldest pumped milk first.  The Milk Mate Storage Unit easily distributes the containers according to date of storage.
  • Freshly expressed breastmilk can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and kept in the freezer for 6 months.  Thawed breastmilk must be used within 24 hours.  To thaw milk, place the frozen container in a coffee mug of warm water.  Do not let the water flow over the top of the container as leakage of the breastmilk can occur.  Allow approximately 20-30 minutes to thaw your breastmilk.
  • Never use a microwave or boil your milk in a pan on the stove to thaw or warm it.
  • Use nursing pads inside your bra and press gently against your nipples by folding your arms across your chest to stop leaking.  Medela nursing pads are available for $5.00 for a count of 36 and $8.00 for a count of 60 are one of the most absorbent pads on the market.  Keep a sweater or jacket at work in case you need to cover leak marks.

Other Tips

  • All new moms are tired.  Give yourself a break!  REST!
  • Ask other family members or friends to help by making meals, cleaning the house, or running errands.
  • A working mom on the go still needs to eat three meals a day plus nutritious snacks.  Choosing healthy foods such as fruits or vegetables as quick, easy snacks can go a long way!
  • Try cooking foods in larger quantities on your days off so that you can store them in smaller portions for use during the week.

The truth about working and breastfeeding is that it takes commitment and some planning.  But, working moms say, “It’s worth it!”  You are giving your baby something special that only you can provide. 

Call Breast ‘N Baby Lactation Services, Inc. at (630) 513-1101 if you are interested in setting-up a corporate lactation program at your worksite.  Corporate lactation programs provide advice on proper pumping, collection & storage of breastmilk, proper pumping room amenities, and consultations as needed.  Also call for questions or concerns about breastfeeding in general.

© Carol Chamblin, 11/2001