BREAST-FEEDING FOR WORKING MOTHERS

(Article courtesy of a private hospital in Penang)

GUIDE LINES ON EXPRESSING MILK

Expressing milk by hand or with a pump to ensure that their baby continues to receive breast. It is also a way to maintain or even improve the supply and flow of her milk. This will also enable the mother and father to enjoy occasional short break away from the baby.

HOW TO EXPRESS BREAST MILK

Requirements

Method

Feeding
1. Feed your baby before going to work and continue dong so after work
2. Tell you baby sitter not to feed when you are about to be home
3. If nursery is available at work place, take your baby along for breast-feeding
4. If there is any chance to go back during lunch break, then feed your baby

Feeding your baby with Express Breast Milk (EBM)
1. Use the milk that is expressed first
2. Place the container in the lower compartment of the refrigerator to defrost, or place it outside the fridge
3. Warm the milk by placing it in a bowl of hot water
4. Before feeding, test the warmth of the milk by dripping a few drops at the back of your palm
5. Feed the baby using a spoon or cup in order to avoid nipple confusion

WHEN TO START EXPRESSING

It is best for mothers to start expressing and storing breast milk ahead of time before returning to work. The mother should start practising at least two weeks before she starts working. This entire procedure should take about 14 to 18 days. Many mothers find this program easy, helpful and satisfying.

Mothers will start the ‘count-down’ from the 15th day before going back to work. Start by expressing about 70-90 ml of milk in the evening or early morning. Chill or freeze the expressed milk. Do not be discouraged if the amount collected is small, gradually you will find that the amount will increase after several practices.

By the 15th day you may find that you have collected a few bottles of expressed milk in store.

1ST DAY:
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 to 9.30 a.m.
2. Allow babysitter to nurse baby with expressed milk

Continue nursing the baby from the breast the rest of the day. In between feeding time you may express the same amount or more to store for the other day. Keep this routine for three days.

4th DAY
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 to 9.30 am
2. Omit the Mid – morning feed – between 10.00 to 11.30 am
3. Allow babysitter to nurse baby with the expressed milk

Continue omitting these two feeds for another three days. Nurse the baby from the breast the rest of the day. Mother will continue to express and store her milk in between feeding times.

7th DAY
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
2. Omit the mid-morning Feed – between 10.00 to 11.00 a.m
3. Omit the Lunch Time – between 12.00 to 1.30 pm
4. Allow the baby sitter to feed baby with the expressed milk.

Keep up this routine for the next three days. Remember to nurse the baby the rest of the time and keep on with milk expression during the time you are not breastfeeding the baby.

13th DAY
Next day mother will start work. All four feedings will be substituted with the expressed milk from the bottle. Mother is ready to start work with enough supply of her milk in the fridge or freezer.

She may also wish to leave an extra bottle of milk in case she is late. She must also remember to continue nursing the baby when she is home for the rest of the day.

However, the mother should also remember that in order to maintain her supply, she must nurse or breastfeed her baby after office hours, at night and on the days she is not working. It will be good if she can have extra one or two bottles of her expressed milk at all times in the freezer.

The stimulation of the baby’s sucking is very important in maintaining the mother’s milk supply. EXPRESSING will not maintain a full supply of milk.

The above article is courtesy of Christine Neoh, a breast-feeding counsellor from a private hospital in Penang.