Working Mom, Nursing Mom: Part 1

Maternity Leave and Preparing to Go Back

As a pediatrician who specializes in breastfeeding, I have worked a lot with working, breastfeeding moms. I was a working, breastfeeding mom myself. I went back to work when each of my kids was 6-7 weeks old and spent a LOT of quality time with my breast pump. Going back to work can be one of the hardest times for new moms. Some moms want to stay home but can’t because of finances or other obligations (in my case, I had a Navy contract that required that I go back to work). Some moms like their jobs and want to go back to work. Whatever the reason, there is often (but not always) guilt and stress with going back to work and maintaining breastfeeding. What equipment and supplies do I  need? When should I start pumping? What if I don't get any milk?

What do you need?

1. For moms who are returning to work full time, I recommend electric breast pumps that can pump both sides at once. These are the most efficient and will pull off the most milk from your breasts while you are away from your baby. There are a lot of these pumps on the market.  They vary in quality, though, and they can be expensive. Under the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are supposed to be covered by health insurance plans, but the pumps that are covered are not always electric pumps, and you need a prescription from your doctor. Mothers who qualify for WIC in Oregon may be able to get a breast pump through them.  
2. Some moms pump enough milk for storage that they eventually fill their freezers. Not everyone does this, but if freezer space becomes an issue, consider a chest freezer to ensure that the lid always closes properly.
3. Milk storage containers.  It is best to freeze milk in 2-4 oz containers, especially when babies are little. Smaller volumes are less likely to be wasted once they are defrosted. You can store in bottles, but that gets expensive and takes up a lot of space in the freezer (although bottles often work well in the refrigerator). Breastmilk bags work great for story in the freezer. You can label the bag with the date and store the milk flat. There are lots of different brands on the market. I prefer the bags with zip tops, because they are less likely to leak. I don’t recommend regular food-grade zip top bags, because the plastic isn’t as heavy, and they are more likely to rip.
4. There are bags on the market for sterilizing breastpump equipment in the microwave. Some moms like those. I always put everything in the dishwasher. If you use the dishwasher, you may need a container to keep little parts from getting lost. 

Preparing to return to work
Try to pump a supply of breastmilk before returning to work. Of course you want to do this. But how? I recommend that moms spend the first 2-3 weeks of baby’s life focusing on getting to know baby and getting the hang of breastfeeding (and try to get some rest!!). If you have trouble with breastfeeding ask for help. You might need to keep asking for help. Ask baby’s doctor. Ask your friends. Look for breastfeeding support groups in your area. Don’t struggle alone. Once you two get the hang of things, you might wonder why you bother wearing a shirt with all of nursing that is going on. Babies nurse 10-12 times a day in the beginning, and they cluster feed for a lot of that. For now, leave the breastpump in a closet and try to pretend it doesn’t exist. When baby is 2-3 weeks old and (hopefully) nursing well, it’s time to pull out that pump. Read the instructions and give it a try. If you are having trouble, look for videos online. Most breastpump brands have videos on their websites on how to use their pumps. Lactation consultants are also good sources of help. Before you go back to work, just pump once day. The best time to pump is first thing in the morning. That is when your supply is the greatest. Nurse the baby on one side and pump on the other. If you can do that at the same time, great. If you (like me) aren’t that coordinated, that’s OK. Nurse and then pump. You will not fill a bottle. You might not even get much milk.  That’s fine. Store what you have in the refrigerator and add to it the next day.  The longer you do this, the more you will produce, and you will be surprised how quickly your supply in the freezer will grow.

Come back soon for Part 2: Going Back to Work.