Work and Breastfeeding

If you are a working mother, managing work and breastfeeding is a potential challenge that you may face. Most breastfeeding mothers return to work after a minimum of three months after their baby is born. A common problem that breastfeeding mothers face in today's workplace is that they are not near their babies for on demand feeding. One option for mothers to continue feeding their babies with breast milk, is to express their breast milk using breast pumps. You must get used to the pumping process before you start going for work.

If you continue breastfeeding when you return to work, the antibodies in the breastmilk provide immunity to your little one. They protect her against infection. This is really helpful if you leave her in a day care centre when you are at work. Mothers who go for work usually prefer nursing early in the mornings before beginning the other chores of the day. Babies are more peaceful and satisfied after a nursing. Some working mothers go to bed with their babies to spend as much time with them as possible. This gives them time to cherish nursing the little one and enjoy the skin-to-skin contact.

Breastfeeding helps mothers returning after work prioritise their house-hold chores. After a long tiring day at work, sitting down with your baby and breastfeeding her before you attend to any other chores can lighten your mood. You will also be able to happily resume your chores. Also, you will realise that you need not put away your chores to try and make time for your baby. Breastfeeding will remind you that the baby needs you more than anyone else.

Most companies give their employees three months of maternity leave. In some Indian states like Punjab and Haryana, you are entitled to a maternity leave of six months. You can avail this partly in the last few weeks of pregnancy and the remaining after delivery. Another option is to avail the entire leave after delivery.

Sample Work and Breastfeeding Schedule

Careful planning helps you to continue breastfeeding your child after you return to work. You may want to prepare a schedule like the following if you are planning to return to work after these three months.

• First four weeks after birth
• Fifth week
• Six to eight weeks
• Ten to twelve weeks

• First four weeks after birth

  - Nurse your baby on demand and enjoy the time you spend with her. Forget all about work. Frequent and long nursing done when you are relaxed can help you produce enough milk supply for your baby.

• Fifth week

  - Learn to pump your milk or express the milk manually. Store the milk in a refrigerator.

• Six to eight weeks

  - Try getting your baby introduced to feeding by someone else. You can give them your expressed milk and ask them to feed your little one. This is needed so that she gets used to taking her feed even in your absence. During her feed, you may have to take care that she does not see you and cannot get your smell. If she sees you or catches your scent, it is unlikely she will accept the feed from another person.

• Ten to twelve weeks

  - Entrust her with a baby sitter and spend some time with her so that you know how she treats your precious little one. Slowly leave them alone for a longer time. Make sure your baby sitter understands the importance of breast milk and teach her to thaw the frozen breast milk before feeding the baby. Alternatively if you do not like anyone else feeding her breast milk, you can ask her to give your baby formula.

When you start going for work after breastfeeding, try working part-time initially for the first few months. This minimises the feedings that you are likely to miss and you may not have to pump breast milk at your work place. Gradually increase the time you will be away from your baby.

Your breasts will stop producing milk if you do not pump your breasts and express breast milk or feed your baby from the breast. In the initial days, the breasts tend to become overfull and start leaking. You can wear nursing pads to avoid the milk from spilling on your dress. If you feel the milk leaking, cross your arms over your breasts and press them firmly. In case you feel any discomfort, you can go to the bathroom and pump some milk with your hands to make you feel better.

You can buy manual breast pumps online at Shoppers Stop.

Other Questions

• How to manage breastfeeding?
• How can I breastfeed my baby when I am at work?
• Can I use a breast pump at work?
• Alternate to breastmilk?

I am breastfeeding my baby and would like to return to work. Is this possible?

Yes, of course. But, do remember to draw out a plan of action for you to follow and make the whole process easier. Most companies offer their employees three months of maternity leave. Before you go on your leave, discuss with your employer about your choice of breastfeeding and take as many days off from your maternity leave and nurse your baby as much as you can. The more you nurse your baby, the more breast milk you will be able to produce. Also, use this opportunity to learn how to express their milk using the breast pump.

How can I breastfeed my baby when I am at work?

You can try and find a baby sitter near your work place so that you can go over during your breaks to feed your little one. Some companies have a daycare in their premises where you can go and feed her. After discussing with your employer, you might also consider the option of asking your baby sitter to bring her to your work place when it is time for her feed.

Can I use a breast pump at work?

You can most certainly use a breast pump to produce milk when you are at work. You may have to discuss this with your employer. Some things you may want to find out are:

• Is there any place other than the bathroom where I can pump my milk? Does this place have electricity and privacy?
• Can I adjust my work schedule so that there are no obstacles to pumping my milk?

I cannot go home to feed my baby. I do not want anyone else to feed my baby breast milk. What do I do?

You can get your child introduced to mixed feeding. Ask your baby sitter to feed her formula in your absence. You can breastfeed her after you get home and she is with you. This is called mixed feeding. But do remember that exclusively breastfeeding your baby up to six months is the best choice. It is always better if you pump your milk and ask your baby sitter to give her the expressed breast milk.