Many new moms who have just gotten used to nursing face the same dilemma when their maternity leave approaches its end: “Should I continue to nurse or not?”. No doubt that being a nursing working mom will take some effort when it comes to planning, scheduling and even pumping your milk at work, but with some patience, you’ll see that it’s not as difficult as you imagine it to be!
Preparing beforehand
You’ll have to first figure out what would be the best procedure that would suit both your sitter and you. a way that suits you, your baby, and your childcare provider. If you want to continue giving your baby just breastmilk, arrangements with your daycare provider are crucial. Be sure that the person in charge is happy and willing to carry out your wishes.
The most important thing to remember is, it’s about making sure your baby is well-nourished while you help make a living for your family.
Do a bit of preparation beforehand. A month or so before you go back to work, start to practice expressing and storing your breast-milk for your baby. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert at it.
Your baby too needs to be introduced to the concept of drinking from the bottle and this might take time for your baby, so start offering some of the baby’s feeds from the bottle as soon as possible.
Your boss and co-workers need to know
Bosses and nursing are two words no women would willingly combine, but to be a successful lactating working mom, acknowledgment, and support are the keys. You’ll need to pump out your milk at work, so discuss your intentions with your boss before you return to work. In this fast-growing pro-nursing world, there should be no problems or objections as long as you assure your superior that your pumping sessions will not affect the quality of your work.
On the same note, it would be a good idea if your co-workers know what you’re up to during your mini-breaks so that there will be fewer questions and queries going around.
If there have been other lactating mothers in the office before you, employ some useful tips and advice from them as to how to go about it more comfortably and efficiently.
Working and nursing have their advantages, you know!
Pumping at work stimulates your milk production, so you’ll have plenty of milk available when you nurse. Your baby will have the health and nutritional advantages of breast milk even when you’re not there. What’s more, pumping can be a wonderful way to feel connected to your baby during the workday.
You will be saving money too for you will not be buying formula for your baby. (Infant formula these days can be pretty expensive. Furthermore, they may avoid missed workdays too, because breastfed babies are half as likely to get sick, especially in their first year, compared to those on formula.
Another wonderful thing about being a nursing mom at work is coming home to a baby who wants to nurse. No mum can resist cuddling her baby after being away for the day! A nursing working mum gets to re-establish precious bonds and provide natural nourishment for her baby in a way no one else can. Tip: To make sure your baby will want to nurse when you get home, ask your caregiver not to feed your baby during the last hour of the workday, or to feed your baby just enough to take the edge off any hunger. This way, you and your baby can look forward to a euphoric reunion every day.
A suitable place to pump
Ideally, you’ll have access to a private room at work where you can pump, such as an empty office, a store, or anywhere private with a chair, countertop, and electric outlet. Try to find a room with a door that locks so you don’t have to worry about anyone intruding on your privacy. Ask your human resources staff for suggestions, and enlist the support of a co-worker or supervisor if necessary.
Successfully managing pumping at work
What you will need:
- A breast pump, preferably a fully automatic one. An electric or battery-operated “double” or “dual” pump would be most ideal so you can efficiently pump both breasts at the same time in half the time.
- Breast-milk storage bottles or bags to collect and store your milk.
- Access to a refrigerator or a small cooler to keep the milk cold until you get it home (some breast pumps come with a complimentary cooler pack).
- Breast pads for leaky breasts times.
- A comfortable nursing bra.
- Mental and physical preparation. It’s a good idea to get used to pumping a week or two before returning to work, for it wouldn’t hurt to get used to the whole idea of pumping your milk at work scene. You’ll be much more confident pumping at work if you are already confident that you will be able to produce enough milk to fill a storage bag or bottle.
At first, it’s natural to find that the combination of breastfeeding and working is quite tiring. There will indeed be lots of preparation and organising involved if you intend to fully breastfeed. But like everything else labeled routine, once the time and initial effort have been invested in setting it up, it should get easier and easier in time.
Keep things in perspective
Dramatising situations before returning to work or making things seem more serious than they have never helped anyone in the past. While some major changes are inevitable and returning to work can be quite an upheaval for your baby and you, there is no need to stress about it the inevitable, for as challenges are concerned, there is always a solution for every situation. So, as the time draws near for new schedules to adjust to, and as you prepare to be apart from your baby for a few hours a day, it will help to resist the urge to dictate how everything should play out in minute details and trust that things will be alright.
Remember too, your baby’s routines will have to change also, and the way you tackle the initial issues and challenges of the transition will impact how well your infant copes with you being away for long periods during the day. Experts have always known and reminded women that babies intuitively ‘know’ how their mothers are feeling — Hence, the calmer you are in any given situation, the better your baby can cope with these changes in routines.
How to maximise your milk supply
Your milk supply may vary daily. To maximize your milk flow, try to pump at the same time everyday. Stress and fatigue will be your biggest foe, so try to stay relaxed. Remember too that you’re still a nursing mom, so eat as well as one and take good care of yourself.
