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Many of us have been fortunate enough to work from home during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period. Over the next few weeks and months, businesses will begin to reopen and allow workers to return. Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned mom, if you’re planning to return to work while breastfeeding soon, now is the time to get your act together.
A word of caution, it’s important to acknowledge that staying on top of your feeding/watering schedule will be more difficult when you spend a lot of time away from home and away from your little one. We know how busy work can be, especially if you’re just coming back from maternity leave (or being on your own). There are many factors related to breastfeeding:
- How can I make milk?
- Will my child take a bottle?
- When and where will I pump at work?
But don’t worry, we’ll cover all of that here today!
1. Storage
One of the first things we recommend as you prepare to return to work is to start storing your milk. We advise you to do this as soon as you start giving birth (this happens around 2-3 weeks after giving birth). Having a large supply of milk gives you a little protection as you get used to trying to pump at work. The best time to spray to keep is between your baby’s meals. You can store your breast milk in a regular freezer for 3-6 months and in a chest freezer for 6-12 months. Make sure you keep them in the back of the fridge and not in or near the door.
*Tip: Fill all your milk and use the old milk first. This is important for two reasons:
- The quality of your milk will gradually decrease if it is frozen
- Your baby’s nutritional needs change as they grow and breast milk changes to meet those needs. So, if you’re breastfeeding a 9-month-old that you pumped at 2 months, he may not be getting all the nutrients he needs.
2. Try Bottle Feeding
Teach your child to drink from a bottle as soon as possible (about 3 weeks). To avoid confusion, it is best to have someone else bottle feed the baby. This is a great job for a non-breastfeeding parent! Tell your loved one to bottle feed the baby 2-3 times a week. This will not only give them bonding time, but your baby will also get to know different feeding methods. We cannot stress this part enough. If your baby is not used to bottle feeding, he may object and refuse to eat when you are away. And it’s fun for everyone.
*Tip: The best time to pump your baby is when your baby is ready to bottle feed
3. Talk to your boss
To ease your transition back to work, discuss your needs with your employer or supervisor already you will return. Let them know how often you will need to spray (about 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a day). Block time on your calendar to pump so you don’t find yourself stuck in meetings or forgetting because you’re busy with work. Find out if there is a breastfeeding room available or if you can plan to use an empty office or conference room to pump. Do you need/have access to a refrigeration unit? If possible, prepare a container or shelf where you can store your milk. If you have your own office or work space, ask if it is possible to install a small refrigerator.
4. Practice with Selected “Work” Days.
Choose one day each week a few weeks before you go back to work and if possible (and better), go to work, even for a few hours. This can be useful for several reasons:
- it will help your baby to be comfortable and spend more time breastfeeding
- it will allow you to prepare for any “bumps” in your planning in advance and not on the first day back where you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed with work – and ideas
Preparing to return to work while breastfeeding is difficult. According to recent statistics, 66% of breastfeeding mothers return to work with the intention of expressing breast milk. However, after the first few months, about 13% persist. This high rate of decline is due to lack of flexibility at work, conflict between co-workers, and an increase in work-related stress. BUT, as discussed in this post, the best way to set yourself up for success is to plan, plan, plan. Also, you have rights as a breastfeeding mother, which are clearly explained by United States Department of Labor.
The first year is very important for your baby’s development and if breastfeeding is part of your plan, eliminate as many worries as possible. already when you go back to work it will give you a chance to win!
Breastfeeding can be difficult in any situation. If you need help, education, or information on breastfeeding, we are here to help. We offer counseling in person and over the phone. Click here for more information.