Thinking About Breastfeeding and Working Outside the Home?

By Lisa Sutherland | Date Submitted: 01/25/01

Category: Home:Children/Parenting
Keywords: breastfeeding, working and pumping, working moms
Summary: A sensible discussion of the ins and outs of how to work outside the home and breastfeed your child

So, if you are committed to trying to breastfeed your child while returning to work, there are many things you can do to improve your odds for success.

Eating and Sleeping

Nutrition and sleep are critical for any breastfeeding Mom. Lack of either can reduce your milk supply and frustrate both you and your child. Working just makes it easier to forget to take care of yourself, so put your other priorities on hold to ensure that you're eating well and getting a decent amount of sleep. The second is especially difficult if you are returning to work while your child is still taking two or three feedings during the night. If you can extend your maternity leave to beyond this stage it will make getting adequate rest much easier.

Another big factor that can affect your milk supply is hydration. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, but steer clear of beverages that contain caffeine(a diuretic and not good for the baby) as well as any other drink that seems to cause problems for your child. Many nursing moms find that certain foods impart a taste to their milk that the baby doesn't like or cause digestive upset and gas.

Pumping

Most moms who successfully breastfeed and work outside the home pump breast milk during the day. Successful pumping requires a good breast pump and practice. When it comes to pumps, there are many on the market and some of them are a real waste of your money. The best breast pumps work by imitating the sucking and releasing cycle that an infant produces when nursing. There are lots of features that can make pumping faster and more comfortable, such as adjustable suction controls and tandem pumping models that can empty both breasts simultaneously. Talk to a lactation consultant before you buy or rent a breast pump.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Start to practice pumping well before you need to rely on it for supplying your child's needs, and don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't result in much milk. Begin by pumping after your normal nursing sessions. You won't get much at first, but the additional stimulation will "teach" your breasts to produce more. And if your baby only empties one breast completely when nursing, use the pump to empty the other. Store any milk you pump early on for use later.

Using a pump can take some getting used to, they are a very different from that warm loving bundle that you nurse. It may take your mind and body a bit of time to adjust. Having pictures of your baby to look at can help stimulate letdown, especially early on. Later, when you are into a routine, you may not need them. In fact, many experienced pumping moms use the time to read a few pages of a book or a report, to make phone calls or to return voice-mail.

Other things that help make pumping a success include:

• Nurse As Much As Possible - In the morning, in the evening, on weekends, even at lunch if you are lucky enough to have your darling infant nearby. Babies are much more efficient at emptying your breasts and stimulating milk production than any pump. The more you can nurse, the more likely you are to succeed.
• A Private Place To Pump - If you don't have a private office then talk to Human Resources and/or your boss about using an empty office, a conference room, or even the Ladies room for pumping. Find out enough ahead of time that you can get a pump that will work with the space you have. After all, a plug-in model isn't going to do you any good if there isn't an electrical outlet. And remember that the more companies hear this request, the more likely they will be to set aside specific pumping facilities.
• Support From Coworkers and Your Employer - Support in your immediate workplace can make or break your success in this endeavor. So try to be as positive about what you're doing as possible and even have a sense of humor about it if you can. A matter-of-fact approach, blended with a little humor and a very competent and confident demeanor will go a long way toward making everyone who depends on you at work comfortable with your schedule.
• Pump On Schedule - If you can time your pumping to coincide with your child's eating schedule it will make your weekends easier. So try to be consistent in when you pump, even if it means scheduling pumping appointments on your calendar every day. Later, when your production is up, you may be able to cut out one or more pumping sessions during the day.
• Keep Extra Supplies Available - If you can afford it, invest in some extra horns for pumping so you can just rinse them after use and save the real washing up for home. Extra sterile containers or bags are also a real plus. Also, keep extra nursing pads and an all purpose blouse just in case you let down and need a quick change of clothes.
• Storing Pumped Milk - If you're uncomfortable leaving the pumped milk in the employee refrigerator, then consider an insulated bag and blue ice. Some pumps even come with an insulated storage compartment in the carrying case just for this purpose.

Breastmilk can be stored for up to six months frozen (48 hours in the refrigerator), so remember to date it, and store it in the proper type of container. One of the beneficial components of breast milk, maternal antibodies, can stick to regular plastics. As much as possible use the bags designed for storing breast milk. They're made out of a type of plastic that reduces antibody loss. When thawing milk, use warm water rather than a microwave.

But What If?

If working and breastfeeding don't seem to be coming together for you, there are lots of alternatives. First, talk to a lactation consultant for advice. It may be something simple that you're not seeing.

Look for a support group, like La Leche League. Sometimes just being able to talk things through with other mothers in the same situation can help a lot. Remember, many of us have never had any breastfeeding moms around as role models.

If you're thinking about giving up all together because you can't pump enough milk, consider supplementing with formula in alternating bottles.

If you do decide that breastfeeding isn't for you, DON'T feel guilty! It isn't for every mom and there are lots of perfectly happy healthy children and adults who weren't breastfed. Your relationship with your child isn't going to be jeopardized simply because you couldn't or didn't want to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is a personal choice, and no one's business but yours and your child's.

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