Breastfeeding
BREASTFEEDING ON THE JOB
By Dana Sullivan
Continuing to nurse once you return to the workplace can take extra
effort, but there are ways to insure success. "One big key is to plan
ahead," says Marsha Walker, a registered nurse and lactation consultant
in Weston, Mass. If your employer supports breastfeeding, all
you may have to do is head to the ladies' lounge two or three times a
day to use the hospital-grade pumps provided to nursing moms. On the
other hand, you may have to bring your own pump and use every minute of
your breaks to pump in your office (or a vacant one, if you don't have
your own office). Either way, the commitment is worth it: Breastfed
babies are half as likely to experience illnesses such as ear and
respiratory infections during their first year of life.
Here are some tips that will help make breastfeeding at work go smoothly:
- Decide if you want to rent or buy a pump
Since you will
be pumping several times a day after you return to work, your best
option is to either rent a hospital-grade pump for about $1 to $3 a day
and leave it at your office (your birthing center, hospital, or even
local pharmacy can provide you with a rental). Or consider purchasing a
smaller, portable automatic electric pump for around $100 to $300 that
you can carry between home and work. You can buy a pump online at a
number of websites, including the La Leche League and Amazon Websites.
- Start pumping after the first few weeks
Once you and
your baby have established a comfortable nursing relationship, which
usually takes two to three weeks, try to pump after each feeding. Store
the milk for use after you've returned to work, or allow your partner,
or other family members, take part in feedings by giving baby your
breast milk from a bottle.
- Introduce a bottle early
Most breastfeeding experts
agree that you should start to offer a bottle at least two weeks before
you return to work. Since your baby may not accept a bottle from you,
this is a perfect opportunity to let your spouse, a grandparent, or
caregiver help. The first few times you do offer a bottle, don't wait
until your baby is frantically hungry.
- Keep a week's worth of milk in the freezer
The
sooner you start pumping and building up your supply of stored milk,
the better. Since you'll bring home fresh milk every day, consider
what's in the freezer the "emergency supply".
- At work, pump when baby would nurse
If you can pump
during your morning and afternoon breaks and your lunch hour, you'll be
in good shape. Don't be discouraged if you find that you can't get as
much milk from the pump as you'd hoped, or if on some days you only
have to pump once or twice. If you find that you can't pump quite
enough milk during the week to keep the freezer stocked, you can always
make up the difference by pumping in the evening and on the weekends.
- Store breastmilk properly
Breast milk can be safely
kept at room temperature for four to six hours without danger of
bacteria growth, but to be on the safe side, keep it in a refrigerator
or insulated bag until you get home.
- Once home, refrigerate or freeze breastmilk
Breastmilk
can be stored in clear plastic or glass bottles, or specially designed
plastic freezer bags that secure with twist ties or mini plastic clips.
Any of these storage containers can go into the freezer. The type of
refrigerator/freezer you have determines the length of time breast milk
can be safely stored (be sure to date each container). Safe storage times:
- In a refrigerator:
- At 32-39 degrees F: 8 days
- At 59-60 degrees F: 24 hours
- At 66-71.6 degrees F: 10 hours
- At 79 degrees F: 4-8 hours
- In a freezer:
- In the freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (such as those found in many offices or hotel mini-bars): 2 weeks
- In the freezer of a refrigerator/freezer (either side-by-side or top-bottom models): three or four months
- In a "deep-freeze" freezer where the temperature is 0 degrees F: 6 months
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About The Author
Nevada-based freelance writer Dana Sullivan is a frequent contributor to Your Baby Today and also writes for Fit Pregnancy and Parenting. She's mom to Liam, 4, and Julia, 2.
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