Going back to work and breastfeeding: how it affects you and how to get organised

The return to work and breastfeeding is one of the main worries. Combining breastfeeding and going back to work is not always easy, and one of the main reasons is the return to paid work of the breastfeeding mother, which makes us give up breastfeeding.

Work is being done to improve work-life balance, but there is still a long way to go, which is why our midwives have prepared the following post for you on going back to work and breastfeeding. With these tips, together with your Happymami custom-designed bottle, you will go to work with peace of mind, knowing that your baby accepts the bottle without any problem and that, when you get home after your working day, you can carry on breastfeeding perfectly.

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How long can you go without breastfeeding at work?

The time you can go without offering your baby the breast will depend on your working day. All we need to do is stimulate your body during that time with a breast pump to achieve two goals. The first goal is to keep producing the amount of milk your baby needs. The second goal is to avoid the discomfort of having breasts full of milk that is not expressed.

How many times should I express milk at work?

In this case, the ideal, though not always possible, would be to express as closely as possible to the feeds your baby has on a normal day. For example, if your baby feeds every 3 hours, your body will produce all the milk your baby takes at that feed, and it should be expressed with the breast pump, as if you had your baby with you.

Bear in mind that every workplace is different and not all of them offer the option of expressing your milk when you need to, although luckily society is now starting to recognise the importance of breastfeeding and companies will give you all the help you need.

There is a very interesting option of hands-free breast pumps that let you express milk at any time and in any place without anyone noticing. It is called Elvie Pump, and it is a smart breast pump that fits inside your bra to express your milk in an autonomous, comfortable and quiet way.

How much milk should I express at work?

The amount of breast milk to express at work will depend on the breastfeeding stage you are at and on your production before going back to work. As a guide, however, the ideal is to empty the breast just as your baby leaves it after a normal feed.

What do I need for going back to work while breastfeeding?

For your return to work if you are breastfeeding, it is essential to have the following items, which will make it easier to feed your baby during your working day and to keep up your breastfeeding.

• Bottle: Avoid using generic bottles because of the risk that your baby will not accept the bottle, as well as the risk of breastfeeding coming to an end. So the best option is to use a Happymami custom-designed bottle.
• Breast pump: There are many options, and depending on how you are going to use it, one option or another will be advisable. You can find your best option in our products section, with the selection made by our midwives.
• Milk collection bags: These are bags for storing breast milk. Remember that the recommendation is to store it in doses of between 50 and 100 ml. You can also use any food-safe container with a lid.
• Cooler bag: With its ice packs for the milk.
• Bottle warmer: It can be a good option to warm the bottle quickly, although you can also warm the bottle in a pan of water.

How much milk do I need to leave ready for my baby while I am working?

In this case we need to take into account your baby's age and the way the milk is stored. The recommendations in clinical guidelines are to build up your milk stores in small collection bags, between 50 and 100 ml.

This recommendation is based on the fact that, as breastfeeding is on demand, and even though we have guide tables of the amounts a baby takes per bottle feed, we do not know how much your baby will want to eat.

So, by having 50 ml bags, if your baby takes the first 50 ml of milk, we warm the second bag of breast milk, and so on until the feed is complete, with the aim of wasting as little breast milk as possible while you work.

Breastfeeding and work

Going back to work after the birth of a baby is a time of change and adaptation, especially for mothers who want to continue breastfeeding. Although combining both activities can seem a challenge, it is possible to keep breastfeeding even in the workplace, with planning and a few adjustments. There are various options, such as expressing and storing milk, choosing schedules that fit in with your baby's needs or looking for support in the workplace.

However, in this process it is common to come across complicated situations, such as the fact that the baby does not accept the bottle while the mother is working. This difficulty can cause worry, since making sure the baby feeds properly is a priority for the mother.

My baby does not want the bottle and I have to work

When a baby resists taking the bottle, mothers can feel frustration and anxiety, especially if going back to work is imminent. This refusal may be due to several reasons, such as a preference for direct contact during breastfeeding, confusion between nipple and teat, or simply adapting to the change.

To deal with this situation, you can try different strategies. Make sure that someone else offers the bottle, since the baby may associate the mother with direct breastfeeding. It is also helpful to experiment with different types of teats that imitate the feel of the breast, as well as trying to give the bottle in a calm environment and at times when the baby is more willing to accept food.

In addition, patience and consistency are key. Some babies may take a while to adapt, and every attempt is an opportunity for them to gradually accept the bottle. With the right support and a few strategies, this phase can be overcome, allowing you to continue with breastfeeding and work without compromising your baby's feeding.

Should I use fresh or frozen breast milk for my baby while I am working?

The best thing during your working day is to offer your baby freshly expressed breast milk if possible. You can do this more simply by using the breast milk from the day before: for example, for Tuesday's feed we use the milk expressed on Monday, and Tuesday's milk for Wednesday, and so on. Bear in mind that breast milk stored properly in the fridge keeps for up to 72 hours, so you can use Friday's milk on Monday.

Can fresh breast milk be mixed with refrigerated milk?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be mixed with refrigerated milk perfectly well; the only thing to bear in mind is that they must be at the same temperature. That is why it is better not to mix breast milk straight from the fridge with freshly expressed milk, so we avoid bacteria multiplying. It is better to wait an hour, or less time depending on how much you have expressed, and then mix it.

Should I prepare my baby for going back to work?

The most advisable thing is to prepare yourself in good time for going back to work with breastfeeding, at least 15 days before, to make sure that your baby takes the bottle perfectly and so prevent major stressful situations, because it can happen that your baby does not take a bottle and you have a hard time. You should also get familiar with the breast pump and with your expressing schedule, as well as with the ways of collecting breast milk for going back to work.

Because we all know a mum whose baby did not take the bottle and who had a hard time, especially when you have a 12-hour working day, like hospital nurses, and you know that your baby will not eat until you get home, so it is better to prevent than to have a hard time.

How do I introduce the bottle for going back to work?

The first and most important thing is to avoid generic bottles and use a custom-designed Happymami bottle. Because if we use a generic bottle, as the teat is different from your breast, there is a very high risk that your baby will not accept the bottle. What is more, if you use a generic bottle, breastfeeding may come to an end.

The second recommendation that will help you get your baby to accept the bottle without affecting your breastfeeding is to follow the guidelines that will come with your Happymami bottle for the first feeds, so getting the best result.

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Conclusion: breastfeeding and going back to work

Breastfeeding and going back to work, a controversial subject, but as we always tell you, every case is unique and you should take this information and adapt it to your own particular case.

The important thing is that society is increasingly aware of work-life balance and we are achieving goals in favour of breastfeeding. We will undoubtedly keep working to always offer you the best.

Bibliography: breastfeeding and going back to work

Lisa Enger, RN, BSN, IBCLC Nancy M Hurst, PhD, RN, IBCLC. Patient education: Pumping breast milk (Beyond the Basics). Uptodate.com. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pumping-breast-milk-beyond-the-basics?search=extractor%20leche%20materna&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~97&usage_type=default&display_rank=1