Just Do It
Plan Ahead
Getting Ready to Return to Work
Getting Off To A Good Start
Returning to Work
Preventing Problems
You can do it
Continuing to breastfeed while working outside
the home can be a very rewarding experience
with benefits for you and your child.
• Breastfeeding helps you to keep the warm
bond you have developed with your child.
• Breastfed children are less likely to get sick, parents worry less and spend less time taking
them to doctors, or arranging for alternate child
care.
• Breastmilk takes no preparation, and helps
children receiving solid foods to wait until a
meal is prepared.
Take as long a maternity leave as possible! The
older your child is, the easier your transition to
work will be.
During pregnancy, consider how you plan to feed
your child when you return to work.
When thinking about the option you will choose,
consider the nature of your job. Will you have
time to go to your child to breastfeed? Can your
child be brought to work? Is there a suitable,
private, clean place to pump your breastmilk at
work? Can you use an electric pump, or will you
need a battery pack?
You can breastfeed when you are at home, and
have your child brought to you to breastfeed at
work, or pump and have your caregiver feed
your child your breastmilk by cup or bottle. It is
best to use fresh breastmilk if possible. (Ask for
our pamphlet, Expressing, Storing and Feeding Your
Baby Breastmilk.)
Should you choose to feed formula while you are
at work and breastfeed at home, on days when
you are not working, you can breastfeed more
often, instead of giving formula. Or, you can
stick to the same routine you’ve established for
work days.
Getting Ready To Return to Work
Find a co-worker, perhaps another breastfeeding
mother who can share her experience, and
provide you with support.
Talk with your supervisor or employer about ways they can be supportive, such as providing:
• flexible hours that allow for breastfeeding
breaks;
• opportunities for part-time work or job sharing;
• a clean, private location with a comfortable
chair and an electrical outlet;
• facilities for hand washing; and
• a fridge in which to store your milk
Follow up with a polite, concise letter describing
your needs, and the arrangements you have
agreed to.
The Ontario Human Rights code states that
breastfeeding women have the right to be
accommodated at work. If your employer is not willing to provide reasonable accommodation,consult with the Ontario Human Rights
Commission at 1-800-387-9080.
Choose a child caregiver who respects your wish
to continue breastfeeding and will support you.
Ask if you can breastfeed at the centre, or in the
caregiver’s home. Let them know whether your
child will be fed milk by a cup or bottle. Using a
cup may require a little more effort on their part.
Talk to your family and friends about the kind of
support you will need, and accept their help. Ask for nutritious casseroles to go in the freezer.
Plan for sharing household chores.
It is best to avoid bottles for at least six weeks
after your child is born. Early use of bottles can
cause nipple confusion, and interfere with your
milk supply.
• Several weeks, or even months beforereturning to work, build a back-up supply by
starting to pump and saving your milk.
• About two weeks before returning to work, set up a ‘practice day’. Leave your child with
your caregiver for several hours, over one or two feedings. During your time away, you can
pump your breastmilk. Gradually leave your
child for longer periods of time, so that your
child and caregiver can start getting used to each other. These trial runs will allow you to
correct problems, and to figure out how long it
takes to get organized.
• If you plan to have your caregiver give formula
to your child, begin two
weeks in advance to
substitute formula for feeds
that will be missed.
• Introduce a cup or bottle to your child at least 7-10 days
before returning to work. A
cup is less likely to be
refused than a bottle. Your
child may be more willing
to take a cup or bottle from
another person than from
you.
• Begin work on a Thursday
or Friday, if you can. The night before your first day, lay out your clothes
and pack a lunch. Don’t forget your breast
pump!
• Wear loose-fitting, two-piece clothing to make feeding or pumping easier. Outfits with
buttons or zippers up the back can be awkward.
Back to top of page.
Returning to Work
Nurse your child in the early morning, again
before leaving for work, and when you pick
your child up or arrive home. Your child may
want to nurse more frequently, or longer,
during these first few weeks.
• The number of feedings per day will depend on the age and needs of your child, and your
preference for giving all or some feedings by
breast. The more breastmilk a child receives,
the greater the immunity to illness and disease
will be.
• Expect to feel some ‘fullness’ for a day or two
until your breastmilk supply adjusts to this
new routine. You can avoid leaking by not
getting overly full. If you feel your milk ‘letdown’
at work, suppress it by folding your
arms across your breasts and pressing inward.
Wearing layers - vest, sweater, or jacket - and
washable print fabrics will help to conceal
leaking. Keep extra nursing
pads at work just in case!
• Provide your caregiver with
2 to 3 extra bottles of
breastmilk for the freezer, in
case milk gets spilled,
forgotten, or your child is
extra hungry.
• Explain to your caregiver the proper storage, thawing,
and appearance of
breastmilk. Breastmilk can
separate, and be blue or
yellow in colour.
• Ask your caregiver not to give foods without
your permission, and not to feed your child
within one hour of your return.
• When your child is 8-9 months old, and is taking a variety of solid foods, you can keep an adequate milk supply and give your child all
he needs nutritionally by breastfeeding 4-5
times in a 24 hour period.
If you plan to express at work, set up a private
‘pumping station’. Keep your child’s picture, a
nutritious snack and a drink handy. The more
relaxed you are, the easier it is for your
body to let-down milk. Don’t do work-related
tasks while pumping. Instead listen to your
favourite music or comedian, or try relaxation
exercises. Don’t be discouraged if the amount
of milk obtained is small at first. At work, it
may take longer before your milk starts to flow.
Most mothers are able to express enough milk
each day to provide for the next day. Keep
track of how much milk your child takes, so
that you know how much is needed for the
next day.
When your child is In a 9 hour period, pump
3 months 3 times
6 months 2 times
10 months 1 time
• Expect your milk supply to fluctuate from time
to time. Stress or fatigue can temporarily
decrease supply; some mothers notice a
decrease at the end of the work week. Frequent
nursing on the weekends, and drinking more
fluids will help.
• It is important to keep up your energy by eating nutritiously. Keep healthy snacks like
dried fruits and nuts, and a bottle of water at
your work station.
• Working and being a mother is rewarding, but tiring. Eliminate non-essential chores, and be
realistic about the priorities in your life.
Wanting to do your best at work and for your
child, may leave you overwhelmed at times.
When this happens, evaluate your situation,
and work at balancing your roles. (See Work and
Family . . . finding the balance, available at the
Health Unit.)
At times, you may not have enough milk to meet
your child’s demand. This can happen during
growth spurts, or if you reduce the number of
times you pump or breastfeed. To increase your
supply, here are a few things you can try:
• stay home for a day or two and breastfeed exclusively; feed often and long – do not wait
until your child asks to feed – offer;
• breastfeed every 2-3 hours for one to two evenings and nights;
• pump more often at work; and
• get more rest, go to bed earlier for the first few months, and avoid bringing work home
with you, or working overtime. If your schedule is hectic and you don’t do the
pumping that is needed, you may get plugged ducts. You will feel a tender lump in your breast.
To prevent plugged ducts:
• breastfeed or pump at the same time each day;
• wear a comfortable bra, such as a sports bra -
avoid bras with underwires; and
• gradually, change your routine to prevent your breasts from becoming too full.
If you have concerns about your milk supply, or
plugged ducts, call the Family
Healthline at 705-743-1000
or make an appointment
at the Breastfeeding
Clinic by calling
705-743-4132.
Over time, you andyour child will adjust
to your new routine.
Ultimately,
breastfeeding will make
your work easier, not
harder.
Plan ahead! Breastfeeding will make your return to work easier. Call |
