Going Back to Work and Breast Feeding

The most healthy and natural way to feed a baby is by breastfeeding. However, with so many women going back to work, breastfeeding is impossible. Women must buy an electric breast pump to get the milk to give to the baby. Unless a woman is fortunate enough to have the child care center at the workplace, she must buy one of the many types of breastpumps to continue to feed the baby breast milk.

Those women who choose to continue breastfeeding will face may challenges when trying to keep up with baby's nutritional needs. It can get even more complicated when adding in the work schedule. Breastpumps let the mother collect the milk while at work and keep the milk supply healthy and still supply needed nutrients while working. A breast pump comes in different styles and sizes. A woman can choose a hand pump or an electric breast pump.

A new mom must discover where and how to use breastpumps at work and then pack the milk in a sterile container that can be kept cool until it is used by baby. Many pumps come with sterilized bottles or bags that connect directly to the pump. This makes it simple to collect and store.

Going back to work after the birth of a baby creates numerous challenges for all women. It is especially difficult for those mothers who choose breastfeeding as the way to feed their baby and want to continue to provide their baby with the best natural nutrition. A breast pump will let the mother continue to collect breast milk in a safe and discreet manner. Buying the correct pump will make things even easier. Oftentimes, women find manual pumps to be easier to travel with than an electric breast pump. There are portable styles available, yet electric breast pumps are best when used at home. Women like the smaller and more discreet manual pumps.

Breast Pumping for Premature Babies

The best food for premature babies is the mother's breast milk. Many mothers of premature babies are afraid that their bodies will not make enough milk, since the baby came early.

It is more likely that they are just under so much emotional stress and physical drain, that their bodies aren't making the milk as easily.

It is important to express as much milk as you can, even if it's only a few cc's, as this will start the body processes to make milk. It will likely take a good breastpump to help you get the proper action needed for the milk production. The best decision will be a dual pumping and powerful electric breast pump as it will be the most effective at stimulating the mother's body to release "prolactin", a hormone that results in more milk production.

There many good breast pump choices such as, Medela Symphony, Medela Classic and others in the Medela line of pumps. Most mothers find that an initial schedule of about every 2 hours is necessary to get things going.

photo credit: jdsmith1021

If your baby was nursing, that would be about the schedule that would naturally happen.

Try to make the session of breastpumping last about 10-15 minutes, even if you don't produce much milk, as this physical action will stimulate the prolactin production. Always go a couple of minutes past the last milk you see flowing into the collection cup. Almost all women will have no milk after 20 or so minutes of pumping.

If you try to go longer, you risk risk causing very sore nipples, and this won't help the overall process. You will probably find that you will pump about 8 - 12 times a day, and yes, that seems like a lot.

Here are a few simple hints to help you increase or maximize your milk production. Get plenty of rest. Accept when others offer to do things for you, so you can take a nap. There is a huge impact on milk production when you get enough rest, and that is what you need to do for your premature baby. If you have pain, take the medicine. A mother that is in pain, will not be able to produce as much milk. Your doctor should prescribe the best pain medication and the doctor understands that you are breastfeeding. If he does not, be sure he/she knows.

Breast milk is the best food for a premature baby and can help them mature more quickly and stave off viruses in the fist critical days of their lives. You will be the best thing you can for them by learning to use a good breast pump and providing them God's designed food.

Breastfeeding and the Workplace

The most natural and healthy means to feed your baby is by breastfeeding, however, with so many women returning to the work force while breast feeding, utilizing a
photo credit: crimfants
breast pump may be the answer to both a healthy baby and a happy mom. Unless you are fortunate enough to have your baby’s care giver at your work place, many breastfeeding mothers have to decide if they are going to continue to breastfeed when they return to the work place.
Those that choose to continue breastfeeding will inevitably have many challenges to keep up with their baby’s nutritional needs, work and how to balance a breastfeeding schedule and a work schedule at the same time. The breast pump can allow the mother to collect breast milk when they are at work, thus being able to keep their milk supply healthy and give the best nutrients to their baby when they are not available for natural breast-feeding. The breast pump comes in many sizes and styles such as a hand breast pump or an electric breast pump for convenience and discretion.
The new mother will need to figure out a place and means to be able to use a breastpump at work and then store the milk in a sterile container that can be kept refrigerated until it is brought home for baby. Many breast pumps have sterilized bottles that connect to the pump directly or sterilized bags that connect to the electric breast pump for safe and easy breast milk collection and storage.
Returning to the work place after having a baby creates new challenges for any mother, but especially for the breastfeeding mom who wants to continue to be able to provide their baby with the best natural nutrition. A breastpump allows the mother to be able to collect their breast milk safely, and discreetly when they are away from their baby.

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