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Breastfeeding
After Returning to Work: Keep the Milk Flowing!
by Cathy McGovern
I started a graduate nursing program at Emory University when my daughter
was seven weeks old. We had established a very simple and enjoyable breastfeeding
relationship by this time, and neither of us were willing to give it up.
Fortunately, I was able to continue breastfeeding, despite a very irregular
and demanding schedule. In this article, I will draw upon my personal
experiences with breastfeeding to offer a few "helpful hints."
Getting Prepared
The most important step is to rent or buy a breastpump that gets the job
done. Manual or mini-electric pumps are great
for occasional use, but impractical for day-to-day use. Medella is a reputable
company that manufactures two small, lightweight electric pumps.
Medella's "Lactina" model is a rental pump that usually rents
for $25-$40 per month. Medella also sells a "Pump In Style"
model, which is enclosed in a discrete leather purse, for approximately
$180. Both pumps have attachment kits available which allow you to pump
both breasts simultaneously (a necessary time-saver for most working women).
These kits cost $35-75.
You can rent or buy a Medella pump from most lactation consultants. Medella
supplies, such as freezer storage bags and the pump attachment kits, are
sold in most baby product retail stores. To locate a lactation consultant
in your area, call the Medella national hotline at 1-800-TELL-YOU.
Before your first day back to work, it's helpful to determine where you
can pump. Is there an office, conference room, or women's restroom available
for your use? All you need is a place to sit down and a level of privacy
you feel comfortable with. For most pumps, you will also need access to
an electrical outlet, though you can rent an adapter for the "Lactina"
pump to run off a rechargeable battery unit or car cigarette lighter.
The Center for Women will soon be opening a "nursing nest" where
you can nurse or pump in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.
Wear comfortable and practical clothes like roomy and rayon shirts. This
allows you to fit the pump attachments under your shirt, which maintains
some privacy. Avoid one-piece dresses and tighter-fitting shirts with
buttons.
You don't need to buy any expensive gadgets. My pump fit into the bottom
of my backpack. The four bottles of milk that I pumped in one day fit
inside my standard insulated lunch pack with a frozen blue ice chunk between
them.
Getting Started
It's a good idea to start pumping as far in advance of your return to
work as you can. I found that I never quite pumped as much as my daughter
would drink in a day. To build up the supply in your freezer, you can
pump any milk that is remaining in your breasts after your baby breastfeeds
during the day. As your baby gets a little older, you can also pump during
the night when your baby begins to sleep through some feedings. Breastmilk
can be frozen in a standard freezer for up to five months.
Finally, enjoy yourself. View it as an opportunity in your busy day to
center yourself and think about your baby. There's two reasons for doing
this. First, thinking about your baby helps to stimulate the flow of your
milk. And, second, that baby will soon grow into a toddler and, like me,
you may even get a lump in your throat when you put your breastpump away
for the last time.
Cathy McGovern is a graduate student in the nurse midwifery program in
the Nell Hodgson Wooodruff School of Nursing.
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