Breastfeeding has always been a challenging journey for many moms, especially the first-time ones. When they said that some days may be harder than most, they could be describing that time when nursing mamas need to return to the workplace and be away from their newborn.
At the recently-held edamama Family Expo, pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Kristine Lapus gave an insightful talk about how moms can stay committed to breastfeeding their child even when they need to go back to work.
So why should you continue to breastfeed? Being away from the baby shouldn’t deter you from giving them the many benefits of breastfeeding, which include:
- Provides the best nutrition for your baby
- You keep a special closeness to your baby even when apart
- Saves you a lot of money (about Php 100,000 to 200,000 a year)
- Avoids the health risks associated with formula feeding
- Good for your employer too as breastfed babies are healthier so that means less absences at work for you!
Here are the many things we learned from the breastfeeding champion about the 6 steps to going back to work and continue feeding:
1. Get ready for the insanity.
- Develop a plan. The Expanded Maternity Leave Law now allows you to make the most of your time with your new baby so grab these to create lasting memories with your new bundle of joy.
- Think about the changes at home once the baby arrives and how you want to handle those changes. Think about who will be your support system, who will cook the meals, or who will care for the older siblings.
- Understand and establish your breastfeeding routine. Breastfeed baby exclusively during maternity leave; do not supplement if not needed. Remember that producing milk is all about supply and demand so you need to understand how your body works and how you produce milk. If you will be pumping, you need to do it every 2-3 hours to mimic the natural rhythm of the baby.
- Focus on adjusting to life as a new parent. Don't stress too soon and enjoy your feeding journey.
2. Start building your milk stash.
Learn how to express milk. It’s free and readily available.
Use a breast pump. Consider these when choosing one:
- Comfort: It’s important that you are comfortable when using the breast pump.
- Adjustable suction and cycle of frequency
- Adjustable breast flange
- Easy to use
- Cost
- Durable
- that are safe for the baby.)
- Universal collection container
- Versatile power source
- Portable
How soon can you use a breast pump? In general, you may begin pumping between 4 to 6 weeks after birth. This is enough time to regulate milk supply and establish a comfortable latch. Pump mostly in the morning. Simultaneously pump from both sides of the breasts.
How to store collected breastmilk?
- Store 100 to 120 ml per container.
- Stockpile a 2-week supply or more.
- Follow breastmilk storage guidelines:
- Room temperature: 4-6 hours (healthy baby)
- Refrigerator: 4-8 days
- Freezer (-20°C or -4°F): 12 months
- Thawed milk: Use within 24 hours
3. Plan with your caregiver.
Who will take care of the baby while you are at work?
- Partner, grandparents, or relatives can care for the baby
- Live-in or live-out nanny
- A caregiver located either close to home or close to work
Discuss issues and set rules:
- Wear a mask when caring for the baby.
- Observe proper hand hygiene.
- Report immediately if feeling unwell.
- Check for medical history. Have Xray done to check for TB infection.
Introduce the caregiver to your baby.
Acquaint the caregiver about breastmilk storage and handling.
Make sure your caregiver is familiar with paced bottle-feeding:
- Hold your baby upright. The baby’s body should be almost vertical.
- Bottle should be almost horizontal.
- Baby should be the one sucking from the bottle. The milk should not be free flowing.
Share these tips for caregivers:
- Provide some quiet time and privacy if mom chooses to breastfeed at the beginning and end of the day.
- Do not feed the baby within 1-2 hours of the time the mother will arrive.
- Thaw or warm breastmilk using lukewarm water. Do not microwave.
- When cream rises to the top and milk may appear curdled, this is not “bad.” That’s the fat of the breastmilk. Do not shake the bottle vigorously.
4. Prepare your baby.
Best choice: Cup Feeding
Alternatives: Spoon, Dropper, Bottle
Introduce your baby to the bottle if not already done.
Do a trial run.
When the baby refuses the bottle:
- Have someone else give the bottle. The mom may even leave the house.
- Warm the bottle and nipple to mimic the temperature of mom’s breasts.
- Offer breast first and later on switch to bottle.
- Try a variety of nipple shapes.
- Boil the nipples several times in fresh water to reduce the rubber taste or use silicone nipples.
- Try to feed the bottle when the baby is not hungry.
5. Return to work.
Return towards the end of the week so that it’s the weekend soon and you’ll be with your baby soon. Choose Thursday or Friday as your first day back in the office.
Return part-time at first.
Work a 4-day work week and take a day off midweek.
Work from home.
Plan for pumping.
- Start shopping for nursing clothes that will facilitate pumping or expressing milk.
- Consider hands-free pumping bras.
- Have a pumping schedule. Make use of your 40-minute breastfeeding break.
Come home early.
Breastfeed baby after taking a bath.
Unlilatch with your baby the whole night.
Prepare your breast pump, bottles, and dry ice before going back to work.
Know the proper handling of expressed or pumped breastmilk:
- Combining milk from previous pumping: chill milk before mixing with previously refrigerated milk.
- Do not combine a newly expressed milk with a previously chilled milk.
- Layering milk previously frozen: chill milk before adding to frozen milk.
- If the baby didn't finish: you can still offer within 2 hours.
- Refrigerated breastmilk is preferred over frozen because freezing kills the living cells.
- Try to pump what the baby will need for the next few days. Excess can be frozen.
- First in, first out rule in your stash.
Solve supply problems by:
Increasing frequency and duration of pumping
Increasing the suction to maximum (but should still be comfortable for you)
Breastfeeding more at home
Breastfeeding exclusively on days off
Pumping after feeding sessions
Considering a better pump
Getting advice about foods, tinctures, capsules, teas, and medications that increase supply
6. Keep yourself and your family safe.
The pandemic is still not over, so ensure you stay healthy for yourself and for your baby.
- Continue following safety protocols
- Eat healthy food.
- Disinfect your things when you get home.
- Take a shower before going near your baby.
- Get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas.
- Be aware of quarantine and isolation protocols if you get the virus.
- Even if you catch the virus, you may continue breastfeeding.
- Follow up with your pediatrician regularly and complete your child’s immunization.
- Delay weaning. Continue breastfeeding your child as much as you can.
- Limit your child’s exposure to other people.
- Plan your rest and relaxation time.
- Simplify meals so you don’t have to stress about this.
- Don’t be shy to ask for help.
Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed your baby, mama! We’re rooting for you!
