Breastfeeding mom at work

Using this method, you will be able to fully breastfeed your infant over weekends and holidays, mornings and evenings of the working week because your breasts has had adequate stimulation and is still producing milk regularly.

• You would need to express twice during your working day e.g. at morning tea time and during your lunch time. If you work full-time, you will also need to express mid-afternoon. Whatever was expressed on Monday at work would be offered to your baby on Tuesday.
• You would need to hand express or to have a breast pump at your disposal. The breast pump should be sterilised at home and kept in a closed container at work when you are not using it. Note that breast pumps should never be re-used, shared, hired or sold.
• It is not necessary to refrigerate the breast pump or the expressed milk until you get home. However, breastmilk for preterm babies need to be refrigerated within six to eight hours – take a cooler bag with an ice block to work.

Substituting daytime breast feeds with formula feeds

• Your baby would need to be weaned from at least two feeds a day in the week.
• You should start weaning ten days before returning to work.
• You would replace a breast feed with a formula every five to seven days. E.g. offer a formula bottle midmorning for five to seven days then offer a formula bottle midmorning and mid-afternoon.
• You would need to continue in this pattern of mixed feeding over weekends and holidays.

A lactation consultant or your clinic sister can be consulted for advice on the formula and the quantities to be offered.