Breastfeeding And The Working Mom

What are the benefits of breastfeeding when working?

Breastfeeding provides many benefits for you and your baby:

• Benefits for your baby: Breast milk is the best food for your baby. It gives your baby the nutrients he needs. Breast milk also helps protect your baby from many health problems. These include ear infections, digestive (stomach) problems, and respiratory (breathing) problems. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). To get the most benefit, feed your baby only breast milk for the first six months.
  
  
• Benefits for you: Breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding also helps you bond with your baby. Breastfeeding is less expensive and easier than using baby formula. Breastfed babies tend to be healthier, so you may have fewer work absences caused by child illness. You may also work better and be happier with your job if you can breastfeed.

What can I do to balance breastfeeding and working?

With a little planning, you can balance breastfeeding and working. The following tips may help make breastfeeding easier when working:

• Talk to your boss about your breastfeeding needs. You may need a private lactation (breastfeeding) room with a locking door. The room should have a chair and a sink nearby for washing pumping equipment and hands. A bathroom is not the best place to pump because germs could get into the breast milk. You will need a refrigerator to store breast milk after pumping.
  
  
• Take as much maternity leave as you can. Maternity leave may help you set up a regular breastfeeding schedule. It may also give you time to resolve any trouble you may have with breastfeeding.
  
  
• Express and store your breast milk. When you express, you remove milk from your breasts. If you cannot breastfeed your baby at work, expressing your breast milk is a good choice. Expressing your milk helps your breasts continue to make milk. Expressing allows your childcare provider to bottle-feed stored breast milk to your baby while you are at work. You may need to express as often as your baby would breastfeed. Stored milk also can serve as a backup supply if your milk supply becomes low. Ask your caregiver for more information on expressing, collecting, and storing breast milk.
  
  
• Look into a different work schedule. Work from home or work part-time if you can. If you work full-time, try to find a childcare center near your work. If possible, choose one that is close enough so you can go there to breastfeed your baby during the day. Another option is to have your baby brought to your work when it is time to breastfeed.
  
  
• Try a different nursing cycle. You may want to try breastfeeding your baby less during your work hours and more when you are home. For example, if you work during the day, breastfeed your baby in the morning before work. Pump or express milk while you are at work. Breastfeed him in the evening when you get home from work and during the night. Your baby may sleep more and eat less while you are at work. Stored breast milk or baby formula may be used during the other feedings.

Where can I find support and more information?

You may find it hard to go back to work after your baby is born. You may feel guilt or pressure as you balance breastfeeding and working. These feelings are normal. Ask your friends or family how they balanced breastfeeding and returning to work. Ask your caregiver for a list of breastfeeding support groups or other resources. You can also contact the following:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your body feels very achy.
  
  
• You feel you are not making enough breast milk for your baby.
  
  
• One or both of your breasts is very swollen or painful and keeps you from breastfeeding.
  
  
• You see or feel a lump in your breast. The lump may be tender (painful when touched).
  
  
• One or both of your breasts is red, swollen or hard, painful, and feels warm or hot.
  
  
• You are feeling very depressed (deep sadness).
  
  
• You have questions about breastfeeding and going back to work.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your baby shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry skin, fast breathing, or few or no wet diapers. He may also act very tired, irritable, or unwell, or he may not be responding to you. He may also have a very fast heartbeat.
  
  
• You are feeling so sad that you want to hurt your baby or yourself.

Care Agreement

You have the right to plan how you are going to feed your baby. To help with this plan, you must learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Ask your caregiver questions about breastfeeding. Talk with your caregiver about the best way for you to feed your baby.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.