If you are going back to work and plan to continue breastfeeding your baby, you should have a breast pump with comfortable milking. This way, even when you are not with your baby, your caregiver can feed your baby with your milk. You can also take a look at our article “Flow Adjusted Feeding Technique” and get some tips on how to keep your baby breastfeeding while you bottle feed. With this technique, your baby will be able to exert the same effort and control the flow of milk as he or she does at the breast. This way you can enjoy breastfeeding your baby for longer.
Start expressing and freezing your milk about a month before you start work and make a note on the milk storage bags or bottles of the date and amount of milk you express. By the time you start expressing and discover how often and for how long you can express while at work, you will have a sufficient supply of breast milk. When you start work, ask your employer for a comfortable and clean place to milk. It is important to keep the milk you have expressed in the right storage conditions. If your workplace has a refrigerator, you should write the date and your name on your storage bag or bottle to avoid any confusion. If you do not have access to a refrigerator, you can store your expressed milk in a bag filled with ice until you get home.
As you prepare to go back to work, your baby needs to get used to being fed by someone other than you. You may find it difficult to introduce a bottle to a baby who is breastfeeding you. Usually babies do not want to drink expressed breast milk when the mother gives it to them. For this reason, it will make it easier for you if your baby’s babysitter or father gives the bottle to your baby for the first time.
It can be difficult for both you and your baby to be away from your baby when you first start work, but in the end you will continue to support your baby with the best food for him or her – your milk.