When Breast Feeding Moms Return to Work

Working mothers who breast feed their infants should ease back into the workforce.

"If an employer will permit, it's best for a mother to start by taking off at least one day a week until her body gets used to being back at work," says Dr. Judy Hopkinson at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

"If an employer is not flexible, she can get her body ready a couple of weeks before returning by trying to get on the same feeding schedule the baby will be on when she goes back to the office. This usually means breast-feeding in the morning and evening, and pumping or nursing only at break times during the day."

If a breast-feeding mother works full-time, she may see her milk volume decrease by week's end because of the stress of the job and caring for the child when she gets home. She may then have to nurse frequently in the evenings and on weekends to help keep up the milk supply.

It is a good idea to have a supply of frozen breast milk on hand before returning to the job.

It is also important to make sure the infant can take milk from a bottle before leaving him or her with a babysitter. It is best to introduce the baby to a bottle about three weeks after he or she is born, then add a bottle of breast milk periodically.

- From the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/health_briefs/05_01_98-feeding.html