Breastfeeding When You Have Returned to Work

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Home:

• The night before your first day at work, put the baby’s car seat in the car, lay out your clothes, pack your lunch and your breast pump.
• Breastfeed the baby as soon as you get up in the morning, so baby will be content while you are getting ready.
• Some mothers breastfeed the baby or pump just before they leave home as well, so that they will stay comfortable longer in the morning or will have milk to take to the caregiver’s.
• Some mothers prefer to breastfeed the baby on one breast and pump the other breast at the same time in the morning, in order to have milk to take to the caregiver’s.
• Use breastfeeding times as a break and a chance to rest, particularly after work and in the evening. Lie down to breastfeed whenever possible.

Work:

• Try returning to work on a Thursday or Friday so your first week back won’t be so long.
• Try returning on less than a full-time schedule at first.
• You may find that your breasts are fuller on Monday after feeding the baby more on the weekend. If so, pump or express your breasts for comfort and the fullness won’t last. Mothers also find that their milk supply is lower on Friday. It may help to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids and resting more (lying down when you breastfeed). It will also help if you feed the baby more or pump more.
• Mothers often notice that their breasts produce more milk at a particular time of the day when they are regularly stimulated by breastfeeding or pumping. They also find that their breasts do not produce as much at times they are not normally stimulated. This works out well for the mom who is working and breastfeeding, because she finds that her breasts don’t get overly full when she is at work and it is not a normal feeding or pumping time.

Clothing

• Wearing two-piece outfits such as a blouse or sweater with a skirt or pants make it easier to breastfeed or pump during the day than having to take off a dress.
• In case of any leaking of breast milk, choose washable print fabrics.
• Keep a neutral coloured sweater or vest at work to cover any leaked milk stains.
• Keep extra nursing pads at work in case of leaking.
• Leaking of breast milk can best be avoided by not getting overly full, but by breastfeeding or pumping at whatever pattern you’ve worked out.
• Avoid outfits that button or zip up the back as they make it awkward to pump or breastfeed at work.

Plugged Ducts or Mastitis

Plugged ducts - The mother feels a tender red lump in her breast. This means that the milk hasn’t been draining properly from the ducts and has become inflamed.

Mastitis - Breast soreness and flu-like symptoms or fever. These problems can be caused by missed feedings or irregular patterns, so once you have established your back to work breastfeeding pattern, it’s a good idea not to vary from it suddenly. More gradual changes will help your breasts adjust their supply better.

Treating Plugged Ducts and Mastitis

• Apply a warm wet towel to the sore breast and gently massage.
• Breastfeed the baby often (every 2 to 2½ hrs.) when at home and pump when at work starting with the sore side until the soreness subsides.
• Rest more by actually going to bed and staying there until you feel better, or if that is not possible, at least sit or lie down for as long as possible and breastfeed the baby.

Good for you (and good for your baby) for continuing to breastfeed after you return to work!