Hints for Mothers - We Can Work It Out!

Today's mother can have many roles - in the home, in the workforce, in the community. Breastfeeding in the new millenium is a part of this. By choice or necessity, many mothers find themselves returning to the workforce while their baby is young. Others are involved in study, community groups, sport or leisure activities. More than ever before, mothers whose work is in the home, lead a busy lifestyle with many demands on their time.

I decided to breastfeed despite returning to work, to provide the best possible nutrition for my children. I continued to express whilst working because of the health advantages it provided. I was motivated by feelings of intimacy and bonding that nursing my children created despite my separation from them. It was a nurturing and comfort only I could give.
Dr Maria G, mother of three and GP

Combining motherhood, breastfeeding and other commitments can be fulfilling. With a little organisation, you may find the rewards far outweigh any disadvantages. The following information may be helpful in planning for this time.

• When looking at child-care options, consider their proximity to your workplace, rather than your home. You can then lessen the time between breastfeeds and even return to your baby during your breaks. The ABA booklet Breastfeeding, Women and Work looks at different child-care options that may be available to you.
• Refrigeration facilities nearby means the breastmilk you express during your time away can be saved for feeding to baby next time. The ABA booklet Expressing and Storing Breastmilk contains information regarding collection, transport and storing of expressed breastmilk.
• Once breastfeeding is well established, make time to familiarise your baby, yourself and the caregiver with giving expressed breastmilk. The ABA leaflet A Caregiver's Guide to the Breastfed Baby and the above booklets may be of help.
• A baby's needs can be well met in child-care, but only you, a mother, can produce the breastmilk for your baby. Many mothers find this enhances the bond between mother and baby.

There's a lot to be learnt from mothers who are already in paid work. Just some of their tips are:

• learn how to hand express or use a breast pump at least a couple of weeks before you go back to work
• have a stock of expressed breastmilk ready in your freezer
• decide whether your baby should be fed expressed breastmilk from a cup or from a bottle, and then practice giving your baby a feed this way a few times in the week before you go back to work
• if you can get it, child-care close to work means you can go to feed your baby during breaks
• let your child's carer know you wish to continue to breastfeed

ABA has a complete package of information about combining breastfeeding with employment. This includes a 28 page booklet, Breastfeeding Women and Work; A caregiver's guide to breastfed babies; all the assistance an employer needs in creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly workplace and to receive the Breastfeeding Workplace Accreditation Award.

Contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association in your State or our Head Office.