Returning to work while breastfeeding
Returning to the workforce after having your baby
Its a daunting task, for many it’s the first time you have left your baby at all so the emotions are high. To add to the pressure, you may need to express to ensure you have enough milk for your baby and to maintain your supply while you’re at work.
I know with my second baby I had to return to work after 16 weeks for a number of reasons but I was very determined to continue my breastfeeding journey. It wasn’t easy, pumping at work, maintaining supply, storing the milk, its a juggle! Below are my tips to help you make the transition a little easier.
Preparation is key! Build up a milk stash!
I would suggest preparing for your return to work by starting to pump daily for at least a few weeks prior to your return date. This will help you build up a milk stash in the freezer so you will have enough to feed baby. Not to mention, the best way to increase and maintain supply is by feeding and in your case, pumping. In order to successfully pump you will need to invest in a good quality breast pump. Both Medela and Spectra are well known brands that you can trust. Another lifesaver that I consider an essential for new mums is the Haakaa Silicone Pump. The Haakaa is fantastic for catching let-down, as well as for silent, one-handed pumping.
In preperation for your return to work, take time helping your baby adjust to taking a bottle. Some babies can be very fussy and you may need to try a few times (or many, let’s be honest) before they will take it. If you have a partner or support person to help, have them try. Work your way up to them feeding baby without you in the room. This can be hard, I found leaving the house was the best option as otherwise I was too tempted to go back in and take over.
Choosing the right bottle is also important most breastfed babies take well to a wide neck, slow flow teat. I found the Haakaa Gen 3 baby bottles and Pigeon wide neck teats were both an easy transition for my boob loving baby. We supply those with and without the silicone pump included.
So how do I pump at work?
You will need to pack your pump with you and something to store your milk in. You may like to just keep the milk in bottles until you get home and then disperse into bags or containers. I liked to use silicone milk storage bags and always had a clean stash with me at work. You will need to pump approximately every 3- 4 hours. Your work place (in Australia) will be required to give you adequate breaks and a private room for you to pump in. To help with let down try to pump in as relaxed a state as you can. Looking at photos of your baby may help, although this may bring on a few tears as well, that is 100% normal and OK.
Once the big day arrives and you head back to work, hopefully you have a nice freezer stash of milk ready to go and your baby is well adjusted to taking the bottle. Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it does get easier. Try to enjoy the adult conversation and scheduled lunch breaks and soak each other up when you get home.
HOT TIP:
Take a spare shirt to work! I guarantee there will be one or two days when you leak through or have a spill.
On that note, be sure to pack some fresh breast pads (ours come in a 14 pack, no more running out!).
Where to now?
Being a new mum is tough! There are so many learning curves and sometimes it can get overwhelming. There’s not a lot of time to think about things like breast pumps, building up your milk supply or how to store your breast milk. If you have any questions, please send us an email. Whether it is a sizing question, a quantity question or even just to say hi, we are more than happy to help!