Moms who continue to breastfeed after returning to work/school find that breastfeeding gives them a special time to bond, which is even more important now that they spend a lot of time apart.

Index:

• Introduction
• Preparing for Work/School
• Pumping Hints
• Collecting Breastmilk
• Hand Expression
• Storing Breastmilk
• Tips for Mom & Baby

Introduction

You have 4 choices:

• Breastfeed when together, go to a caregiver to breastfeed.
• Breastfeed when together, have caregiver give breast-milk in a bottle when apart.
• Breastfeed when together, have a caregiver offer iron-fortified formula in a bottle when apart.
• Breastfeed when together, wean to iron-fortified formula when you go back to work/school.

Preparing for Work/School

• Rest, relax, and enjoy your baby.
• If possible, stay out 6 weeks to build up a good milk supply
• Begin expressing and storing milk 2 weeks before your return.
• Return to work/school on a Thursday or Friday as practice, before going back to a full work week.

Childcare:

• Find a caregiver who is breastfeeding friendly.
• Inform the caregiver that it is normal for breastmilk to look thin or watery and to be blue or yellow in color.
• Remind the caregiver not to microwave breast milk.
• Tell the caregiver not to feed your baby right before you pick her up so you can breastfeed right after work.

Talk to your Employer/School Nurse about:

• A private place to pump to nurse (conference/ meeting room).
• Two 15 minute breaks per day.
• Breastfed babies get sick 33% less, which means less time you miss from work/school .

Helpful Hints When Pumping

Before Pumping:

• Wash your hands!
• Relax in a quiet place.
• Have baby's pictures, clothes, or audiotape of baby with you.
• Massage your breasts in a circular pattern. Then, lightly stroke your breasts from the outer edges towards the nipple.
• Warm washcloths or shower will help your letdown.

While Pumping:

• Center the pump over your nipple and areola.
• Always start on minimum speed and then increase to comfort.
• Your milk flow will be different. It will drip slowly at first, then squirt forcefully after let down.
• When your milk flow slows down, switch to the other breast.

Things to Know:

• Some women find it easy to nurse their baby on one breast while expressing milk from the other
• Most moms find they have the most milk in the morning.
• When first learning how to hand express, practice in the shower.
• Plan to pump at least once for every bottle baby gets.

Collecting Breastmilk

Baby is best at getting milk from your breast. You can hand express breastmilk or use a breastpump.

Why express your milk?

• To increase milk supply.
• To prevent or relieve engorgement.
• To supply breastmilk for your baby while you are apart.

What to expect?

• Expect to collect small amounts.
• When first starting to pump, it is NORMAL to get only a few drops.
• The more you express, the more milk you will make.

When to express?

• Begin by expressing once a day.
• Express about 1 hour after you have nursed the baby.
• The best time of day to express milk is in the morning.

Hand Expression

To Hand Express Breastmilk:

Get Ready:

• Find a private place where you feel comfortable.
• Wash your hands and supplies.
• Wash your collection cup and storage bottles in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. Air dry.

Massage your breasts:

• Breast massage helps your milk come out.
• Put one hand underneath your breast for support.
• Gently rub your breast with the other hand using small, circular motions.
• Move around the breast, working from your chest toward your nipple.
• Repeat on your other breast.
• Massage for at least 2 minutes.

Collect your milk:

• Place your fingers and thums about 1 inch behind the areola (darker area around the nipple).
• Gently lift; push breast back toward your chest, press fingers together and release.
• It is a rolling motion. Do this several times until your milk begins to flow into the cup.
• Continue around your breast.

Storing Breastmilk

Fresh Breastmilk

Getting Ready:

• Wash hands.
• Wash breast pump equipment in hot, soapy water; air dry.
• Pour breastmilk into a clean container for storage; glass, plastic bottles, or double plastic bags.
• Label with date and baby's name.

Handling:

• Bring breastmilk to room temperature by running it under warm water or place it in a bowl of warm water.
• Mix Well.
• Give to baby right away; throw away any milk left over
• Do not microwave or boil breastmilk.

Storage:

• Put in refrigerator or cooler within 3 hours of expressing.
• Use fresh milk within 2 days or freeze.

Frozen Breastmilk

Getting Ready:

• Freeze breastmilk in 2 to 4 oz portions leaving extra room at the top because it will expand when frozen.
• You can add fresh milk to already frozen breastmilk. First, cool expressed milk in refrigerator. The amount of cooled milk you will add should be less than what is already frozen.
• Store frozen breastmilk in the back of the freezer.

Handling:

• Frozen breastmilk separates - it is normal.
• Thaw frozen breastmilk under cool running water, then place in a bowl of warm water until thawed. Mix well.
• Never refreeze thawed breastmilk.
• Throw away any unused milk.

Storage:

• 2 weeks if your freezer does not have a separate door.
• 3 months if your freezer has a separate freezer door
• 6 months if stored in deep freeze (0 degrees F)

Tips for Mom and Baby

Tips for Mom:

• Leaking? Press firmly against breasts for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Use breast pads to protect clothes.
• Wear patterned or print tops or vests that button in the front.
• Milk supply low? Breastfeed or express every 2 to 3 hours on days off or when you are home to increase milk.
• Baby refusing to feed at caregivers? Baby may want to "cluster nurse" or breastfeed more often while together, every 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Invest in a small cooler and reusable ice packs.
• Breastfeed at caregiver's before work/school and again before going home.

Tips to Help Baby Take a Bottle or Cup

• The first few times will be a "learning" feeding.
• Introduce a bottle around 3 weeks of age.
• Have someone other than mom offer the bottle.
• Wrap baby in a piece of mom's clothing.
• Try offering the bottle when baby is still sleepy or awake and content.
• Run warm water over bottle nipple.
• Try different types of bottle nipples (rubber or silicone).
• Try different positions. Some babies like to be held facing out, with their back against the caregiver's chest.
• Offer bottle while rocking, walking, or swaying baby. Remember, baby can be fed mom's milk with a cup or spoon.

Sample Schedule

This schedule allows you to eat lunch with friends or run errands. You know your schedule best. Make a plan that works for you!