What Moms Need for Successful Breastfeeding After Returning to Work
Breastfeeding provides a long list of benefits for mothers and babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies exclusively receive their mother's milk for the first 6 months, and continue breastfeeding for at least a year or more. Many mothers initiate breastfeeding in the early weeks, but have difficulty continuing breastfeeding when they return to work. It is important for women to do some planning, to help make the transition back to work easier for themselves and their babies.
The Importance of Planning Ahead
Making breastfeeding work as an employed mother has many rewards and some logistics to consider, as well. Getting off to a good start with breastfeeding is important for any mother, and is especially important for the mother who will be returning to work. Establishing a healthy milk supply in the early days has a direct positive impact on long-term milk supply. Consider the following tips you can do during maternity leave to prepare you and your baby for returning to work:
- Breastfeed exclusively 8-12 times every 24 hrs. (or pump your breasts if baby is not breastfeeding).
- Avoid using bottles or pacifier for the first 3-4 weeks, as this may decrease milk supply.
- Begin expressing milk using a quality personal pump or hospital grade rental pump after 3-4 weeks or sooner if needed to relieve engorgement symptoms. Electric pumps that allow you to pump milk from both breasts at the same time reduce pumping time. View a list of breast pump rentals [pdf].
- The best time to pump milk is after baby breastfeeds. Freeze milk in 4 oz. bottles or milk storage bags. Many moms find their milk supply is greater in the morning than in the evening.
- Practice bottle-feeding at least 2 weeks prior to returning to work. Babies often prefer breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, so it may be helpful if a family member other than mother offers feeding until baby becomes accustomed to the bottle nipple. When choosing an artificial nipple for bottle supplementation of the breastfed baby, it is important to use one that allows baby to use the same tongue and jaw motions that he/she uses at the breast. As an example, please visit the Bottle Nipples that Minimize Nipple Confusion or Flow Preference web page part of the Low Milk Supply web site.
Return to Work Gradually
Depending on the nature of your job, returning to work gradually will give you and your baby an opportunity to adjust to your new schedule. If you are able to:
- Start back to work part-time for a brief period before working full-time.
- Work from home or combine working at home and your work place.
- Go back to work on a Thursday or Friday, or just before 1-2 days off, depending on your work week. This gives you and your baby a shorter period to adjust being away from each other.
- Take Wednesday off for a few weeks for a mid-week break.
- Work a split shift if possible.
- Consider using childcare close to work, so you can visit and breastfeed your baby on your lunch break if feasible.
Expressing Milk at Work
- Review available options to express milk at work with your supervisor. You will need a breast pump room, or a private room (not a toilet stall or rest room). View or print a list of Breastpump Rooms in the University of Michigan Hospitals [pdf]
- A good quality electric breast pump may be your best strategy for efficiently removing milk during the day.
- Express milk for 10-15 minutes, approximately 2-3 times during a typical 8 hour work period. The number of times you need to express milk at work should be equal to the number of feedings your baby will need while you are away.
- Breastmilk should be stored in a refrigerator or cooler with ice packs. Discuss with your supervisor the best place for you to store your milk. The Centers for Disease Control offer breastmilk storage guidelines.
If pumping at work is not possible or desirable, consider the following options:
- Breastfeed as exclusively as possible when you are with your baby.
- Remember any amount of breastmilk is good.
- Breastfeed at home and use formula while baby is in childcare.
Remember . . . Babies love "any amount" of breastmilk that mom can provide!!!
Maintaining Milk Supply After Returning to Work
Some women experience a drop in milk supply when separated from their babies. The following suggestions can be helpful if you notice a decrease in your milk supply:
- Increase breastfeeding/pumping frequency and time when feasible (every 2 hrs., for 15-20 minutes).
- Breastfeed the baby, then pump your breasts for 5-10 minutes afterwards, or pump on one breast while you feed baby on alternate breast.
- Talk with your health care provider about herbs or drugs that may help increase milk supply or visit: Increasing Milk Production on the Low Milk Supply web site.
- Contact one of the University of Michigan Lactation Consultants for assistance.
Sources/Helpful Information:
The Business Case for Breastfeeding-tips for breastfeeding moms and their employers
Helpful Resources
Nursing Mother, Working Mother: The Essential Guide for Breastfeeding and Staying Close to Your Baby After you Return to Work, Gale Pryor
Working Without Weaning: A Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, Kristen Kerggren
Making More Milk, Lisa Marasco and Diana West
