Back-To-Work Tips For Breastfeeding Moms
Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby, but it may not be practical for professionals. Unless you have the option of full-time WFH, you may have to stall your career for a few years. Giving up your job and independence may not be an option, and you may even regret the choice eventually. Fortunately, there are ways to get the best of both worlds, provided you plan your return strategically. Although breastfeeding may be trickier, it is still possible. Here are a few ways nursing moms can make it work.
Assess your current status
Assessing your current status is the best start for moms looking to return to work. Your lactation routine may not be well-established during the first few months, and your milk supply is likely erratic. So you may consider postponing the return for a few more months. The best time to start after is when your baby starts on solids, and you have a good support system at home to manage the feeding routine.
Look for supportive child care
A supportive child care facility near your workplace can be a savior when you have no one to look after the baby at home. It eliminates your stress and enables you to rush quickly after work to nurse the little one. You may even discuss scheduling a midday work break with your employer to plan a quick feeding session at the center. The daycare staff can manage the rest of the day with expressed milk.
Become a pro at pumping
Pumping breast milk may sound like a lot of work for moms looking to return to work, but with HiPP goat milk formula stage 2, it can ease the transition for you and the baby. You only need the right equipment to get started, and you can master the technique sooner than later. Check with your insurance provider if they offer free coverage for breast pumps. You can save big with the electric breast pump selection from Byram Healthcare, as it lets you pick one according to your plan. A pump gives you a chance to rejoin even if you have an exclusively breastfed baby.
Know the storage guidelines
Pumping milk puts you in a good place with supply, but you must also learn the storage guidelines to keep it fresh. Human milk stays good at room temperature for 6-8 hours. You can refrigerate it and feed it within eight days. However, you may even consider freezing it for several months. Frozen milk loses some antibodies, but it is still far better than infant formula in the long run.
Give more when you are around
Another tip for nursing moms looking to return to work is to give more when they are around, such as at night and during weekends. Breastfeeding enhances your bonding with the baby, so do not miss out on the opportunity to be close to the little one. But it can be tiring after a taxing day or week in the office. Plan enough time to rest and sleep while ensuring more sessions with your baby.
Breastfeeding moms need not give up on their careers, provided they are willing to take a strategic approach. Follow these tips to be a good mommy and a successful career woman.
