Nothing is more upsetting and overwhelming than leaving your breastfed child and going back to work. You must have all kinds of emotions worry, separation anxiety, and stress of keeping up with the role of working and a nursing mom simultaneously. I get it, there is no doubt about how stressful juggling nursing and working can be.
But you are not alone!
According to Suzanne Haynes, the chairwoman of the subcommittee on breastfeeding for the Department of Health and Human Services,70 percent of working mothers have children under 3 years with, one-third returning to work after three months postpartum.
There are so many breastfeeding working moms who are doing it and, so can you.
So, if you are on the same boat and want to make this journey easy for you, read along to know some tips and tricks for breastfeeding working moms to balance between work and nursing conveniently.
Tips for breastfeeding working moms:
Getting yourself well prepared before joining work is a good idea. It can give you mental peace and make your life more organized as a new nursing mother. Here are the tips to help:
Photo by health.clevelandclinic
Use breast pump
Pumping is a great way to enhance your milk supply. It also helps the breastfeeding mothers in sharing their responsibility of feeding the child with other people.
Just think! You are going to be away for the whole day. It is good to pump milk and store it in the freezer. So that your babysitter, caregiver, or any other family member can easily use that milk and feed the child.
Let me tell you a pumping hack at work: Follow a 15-minute pumping per hour routine. You will have a consistent milk supply and, pumping will be more manageable.
Choose a trendy yet practical wardrobe:
You have to be very wise in choosing your outfit once you start working again. It must be practical and functional. After giving birth, most Moms don’t feel confident in their body that’s why you do not want to take off your shirt or lift it all the way up while pumping at work.
My style tip for breastfeeding working moms will be to get solid button-down shirts. You can always pair them with formal culottes or pants to look crisp and stylish. It is a trendy yet comfortable outfit idea.
Photo By cdc.gov
Be open about your priorities at work
You are a mother first and an employee later. Asking for privacy and your time for pumping is your right. Do not hesitate to ask for it and show your work priorities to your employer.
Never let anyone tell you that you cannot manage to nurse and work together as there are so many superwomen who are doing it efficiently and, with proper planning, you can do it too.
Be very clear about your comfort, privacy, and working hours at your workplace.
Train your baby
When you are a stay-at-home mother, your feeding schedule is more relaxed and flexible. Your child knows your breast is always available and, he can have his comfort anytime he wants. But, once you start working, it is going to be a lot different.
Train your baby during your maternity leaves to learn to drink from a feeder. If he is older than six months, introduce solid foods as well.
It will help his caregiver with feeding him other than just relying on your breasts all the time.
Follow a pumping and feeding schedule:
To juggle between work and breastfeeding, you have to organize yourself as much as you can.
You must have a feeding and pumping schedule to follow. It is a vital tip for breastfeeding working mothers. In this way, you will know an efficient way to manage both things together.
Once you are back from work, you can breastfeed your baby as much as you like but be careful, do not let him have your breast as a comfort object as it can lead to an attachment which is not a good thing as you have to go for work.
Similarly, pumping after intervals is an efficient way to go. You will not have engorged breasts and, you will have a consistent milk supply.
Get help
Once you start your motherhood journey, you have to stick by one rule and, that is
Never refrain from getting help.
Raising kids is a tedious job and, it is always good to get as much help as you can. Ask your co-workers to help you in managing your pumping along with work. Similarly, your employer can help you with a flexible working environment. At home, get help from your spouse, friends and, other family members to feel relaxed.
Take care of yourself:
I know taking care of a baby along with working can get overwhelming and tiring. It is going to take a toll on your health as well.
Always remember only a healthy mother can take care of a healthy child. Your milk supply depends upon your water intake. You have to take care of your nutrition and fluid intake.
Eating a balanced diet like fruits, veggies, oats, and proteins is the way to nourish your body. Drink plenty of fluid to keep your milk supply high.
Take good care of your breast by keeping them clean and moisturized to avoid cracked nipples.
Get as much sleep as you can, as exhaustion can make you weak and vulnerable to many other problems.
Know your rights:
The last tip for breastfeeding working moms is to know their rights. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act in May 2005. This federal legislation is to help nursing mothers as it provides tax invasions to businesses that set up small lactation setups at the workplace. It also provides tax exemptions to families on buying breastfeeding equipment.
It would be ideal to ask for at least 15 minutes per hour for pumping.
“You should not be afraid to speak up and claim your rights as a breastfeeding mom. You should be able to take the time you need — about 15 minutes every few hours — to pump your milk, and be given a clean and private place to do so,” says Haynes.
Photo By gulf news
Final words
We have enlisted good tips for breastfeeding working moms to ease their work and nursing life. I know it is tiring and overwhelming. But with proper planning and organization skills, you can make it work.
How about you, what are your tips for breastfeeding working Mothers?
Comment them below.
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