If you are breastfeeding and you have to return to work, you may be worrying if it will be possible to continue breastfeeding your baby and how to go about it. Rest assured, it is possible, in fact it is being done by thousands of mothers. It does need some planning, and to help you I'm giving you some handy tips and useful information.

AFTER THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABY:

* Plan to stay home with your baby as long as you possibly can.
* Talk with your employer about your plans to breastfeed and the need
  to pump milk at work.
* Think of a suitable place where you can pump in privacy.
* Is there a refrigerator available?
* Select a breastpump that suits your needs

ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK:

* Begin practicing pumping (for example 2-3 times every morning, about one hour
  after the baby has nursed). You may get little milk at the beginning, this is normal,
  and with practice you will be able to pump more milk. The pumped milk you can
  cool and freeze, so you start building your frozen milk supply. You can also store
  some of the milk in the fridge to give to your baby in a bottle.

* Begin introducing a bottle with breastmilk to your baby once a day so baby will
  learn to accept it. (Baby will probably accept it better from someone else than
  from you).

* Think about clothes for work that will make pumping easier (for example, no zippers
 on the back and two- piece outfits instead of a dress).

* Visit the day care center or sitter with your baby, leave your baby for short times,
  let your sitter or the day care staff give baby a bottle to see if baby accepts it.

WHEN YOU RETURN TO WORK

* Try getting up half an hour earlier than you used to do. Nurse the baby, get
  dressed and ready for work. Nurse the baby again just before you leave.
* It is best to pump your breasts every three hours. Start counting from the
  time you breastfed your baby in the morning before you left for work.
* The milk you pump at work you can store in the fridge at your workplace and
  take home in a cooler bag. This milk can be given to your baby the next day.
  See section STORAGE AND HANDLING OF BREASTMILK.
* If you are not able to pump enough milk for your baby your sitter can give
  some of the frozen milk from the freezer. See also section PUMPING TIPS.
* Nurse your baby as soon as you come home from work.
*· Your baby may want to nurse more in the evening and night; this is good
  because it will increase your milk supply.
* If you want to add more milk to your frozen milk supply you can also pump
  a few times in the weekends.

SOME TIPS IF BABY REFUSES TO TAKE A BOTTLE

* Try offering the bottle before baby is likely to be too hungry.
* Wrap the baby in a piece of mothers clothing while offering the bottle.
* Instead of pushing the bottle nipple into baby's mouth, try laying it near
  his mouth so he can pull it in himself.
* Run some warm water over the bottle nipple to bring it up to body temperature.
* Try different types of bottle nipples.
* Try different feeding positions, some babies prefer not to look at the care giver.
* Try to feed the baby while moving rhythmically, rocking or walking, this may be
  calming to him.
* Insert the bottle in baby's mouth when he is sleeping.
* Your baby can also be fed your milk by cup or spoon if baby continues to refuse
  the bottle.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SITTER

* Explain to the sitter how to thaw and warm up breastmilk.
* Tell your sitter, baby's last feeding should be 1 ½-2 hours before you come
  home, this way baby will be ready to nurse when you return from work.
* Explain your sitter that your baby is fed on demand rather than on a schedule
  and that many breastfed babies prefer small frequent feedings.
* Remember to tell the sitter that the stool of a breastfed baby is soft, that it is
 not diarrhea.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

* Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice or milk are best choices) and eat nutritious foods.
  Find easy recipes that need little preparation, prepare larger quantities and freeze
  half.
  Limit your caffeine intake and avoid excessive sweets and highly processed foods.
* Take a rest as soon as you come home from work, put your feet up and nurse your
  baby.
* Get help with household tasks or, if possible, employ professional help.
* Take time for yourself. Let your husband or other family members look after your
  baby for a little while, and do something you enjoy; read a book, go for a walk,
  take a hot bath etc.

The advantages of continuing to breastfeed while going back to work are many. You maintain the special closeness and warm bond with your baby that breastfeeding provides. And you are doing something that nobody else can do for your baby, you continue to give to your baby all the goodness of your milk even when you can not be with him. This thought makes it all worthwhile and is another reason to be, once more, proud of yourself!

For information regarding individual Breastfeeding Consultation by online lactation consultant please click here.