Breast-Feeding For Working Mothers

 

Breast-feeding is extremely beneficial for the newborn. However, if you need to continue working, here are some facts about breast milk and suggestions that may help:

 

• If possible, try to arrange for a part-time job or take a longer leave to care for the child.
• Try arranging for someone to send the child to the workplace during breast-feeding hours so that breast-feeding can be done as usual.
• Use a breast suction device to store the breast milk in a clean container.
• 2–3 weeks before the mother starts working, get the child to adapt to drinking breast milk that is stored in the fridge.
• Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for 6–8 hours and in the refrigerator for 3–5 days at 4°C. Breast milk that is frozen can be stored for 3–4 months.
• If you are storing breast milk in the freezer, write the date the breast milk was expressed on the container. Do not frequently open and close the refrigerator door.
• To defrost breast milk, put the container into warm water and allow the frozen breast milk to thaw. The milk has to be consumed within the same day. Do not put frozen breast milk into the microwave.
• At the workplace, arrange for 2 time slots to have a quiet and secluded place to breast-feed or to use the breast suction device.
• Since breast milk leakage can’t always be prevented, wear specially made breast pad gauzes, easy to wash clothes or dirt-resistant clothing.
• Breast-feed before going to work and once at home, breast-feed the child again immediately.
• To help the child adapt to using a milk bottle, let someone else feed the child using a milk bottle.

 

Remember, in order to produce good quality breast milk, you will need to take care of yourself by getting sufficient sleep and eating healthily. Family members can help by being supportive (and maybe cooking up a nice bowl of soup for the mother sometimes!).

 

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