Breastfeeding: Work and School Tips

Balancing breastfeeding with work or school can feel challenging, you can do it by planning and preparing!

Breastfeeding gives your baby with essential nutrients and also helps you have a strong bond, even when you’re apart.

Why Breastfeed?

Breast milk is the only nutrition your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
Solid foods can be introduced at 6 months, but breastfeeding should continue until your baby is at least 1 year old or longer.
Breastfeeding reduces sick days for your baby, keeping them healthier and happier.

Thousands of moms manage to breastfeed successfully while juggling work or school commitments. With the right strategies, you can too.

Before Your Baby is Born
Planning ahead is key to making breastfeeding work with your busy schedule:

Learn the policies: Understand your workplace or school’s breastfeeding and pumping policies. Know your rights as a breastfeeding mother.
Talk to your supervisor: Share your breastfeeding plan and emphasize the benefits, such as fewer sick days for your baby.
Childcare planning: Look for a childcare provider who supports breastfeeding and will follow your feeding preferences. Discuss how and when to offer expressed milk.
Easing back into the routine: Consider starting work or school part-time or taking a day off mid-week to ease the transition for you and your baby.

After Your Baby is Born
The first few weeks are important for establishing your milk supply and building your confidence with breastfeeding:

Focus on breastfeeding: Spend the first 4-6 weeks exclusively breastfeeding to establish a strong milk supply.
Track feedings: Note your baby’s natural feeding schedule. This helps you plan pumping or nursing times when you’re back at work or school.
Practice separation: Gradually leave your baby with the childcare provider for short periods. This helps everyone adjust to the new routine.

Balancing Work or School Days
Managing breastfeeding once you return to work or school requires a bit of preparation:

Start the day nursing: Feed your baby early in the morning to help them feel content while you get ready. Nurse again just before leaving home or dropping off your baby.
Pump regularly: Plan to express milk at least three times during the day—mid-morning, lunchtime, and mid-afternoon. Bring reminders of your baby, like photos or a blanket, to help you relax while pumping.
Dress smart: Wear two-piece outfits for easy access when pumping or nursing. Use nursing pads to prevent leaks, and wear patterned clothing or jackets to help hide any leaks.
End the day nursing: Breastfeed as soon as you pick up your baby or get home. This helps you reconnect and maintain your milk supply.
Night feedings: Your baby may wake more often to nurse at night. This helps keep your supply up and gives you extra bonding time.

Collecting and Storing Milk
Expressing and storing milk is a vital part of navigating breastfeeding while away from your baby:

Choosing a pump: Manual pumps are good for occasional use, while electric pumps are more efficient for regular use. Double electric pumps save time and help maintain your supply.
Proper storage:
- Use clean, labeled containers for your milk.
- Refrigerate milk for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 12 months.
- Thaw frozen milk in the fridge or warm it in a bowl of warm water. Avoid microwaving, as it destroys nutrients.
- Always use the oldest milk first.

Introducing a Bottle
Preparing your baby for bottle feeding can make your transition easier:

Start early: Introduce a bottle 2-3 weeks before returning to work or school.
Get help: Babies often take a bottle more easily from someone other than mom.
Maintain your supply: Pump every time your baby takes a bottle to keep up your milk production.

Breastfeeding on Days Off

Nurse your baby as much as possible on your days off to maintain your milk supply.
Avoid using bottles or pacifiers when you’re together to encourage nursing.

Helpful Tips

Relax while pumping: Bring items that remind you of your baby to help make pumping easier.
Adjust with time: You may need to pump less often as your baby starts eating solid foods around 6 months.
Get support: Reach out to lactation consultants or breastfeeding support groups if you need help.

Breastfeeding while working or going to school is a journey that requires patience and planning.

With these strategies, you can successfully provide your baby with the nourishment they need while managing your daily commitments.