Breastfeeding Tips when you're returning to work - PART 2

Last week we looked at whether it was possible to return to work and still breastfeed, and what you would need to be able to do it. You can read the blog here. This week we're looking at some ideas for preparing for your return to work.

Preparation:

Learning to use the pump a few weeks prior to returning to work is a very good idea. Our breasts and minds do not always respond to a pump in the same way that we do to our sweet, soft, warm and cuddly baby. i.e. when we see and touch our baby our body has a surge of the hormone Oxytocin (the love hormone). This is responsible for squeezing the muscle cells surrounding the milk cells and pushing the milk down (commonly known as the ‘Let Down’). This hormone comes in waves, allowing for several let downs during a feed. On the other hand, with a plastic, cold, un-cuddly pump not all women can experience the same amount or intensity of let downs, often resulting in less milk than wanted or expected. DON’T PANIC!!! There are ways to enhance and improve this. The main point is not to worry too much at this stage as it is a normal response for many women.

Things to help your let down whilst pumping away from your baby:-

• Look at a photo/s of baby
• Smell an item of clothing or blanket which baby has recently worn (you have probably realised by now that your sense of smell is much greater through pregnancy and breastfeeding- Same hormone Oxytocin! See how everything is linked?!)
• Try gentle massage of both breasts and finger light stroking of the top of the breast down towards the nipple prior to expressing.
• Start the letdown response off by first doing some hand expression.
• Once the milk is flowing, then put the pump on. Pump from each breast at least twice in 15-20 mins, swapping from side to side as the milk flow slows. This will help you get more milk.
• Eventually your breasts will become accustomed to letting down in response to your baby and your pump.
• Ensure you maintain frequent feeds whilst back at home to maintain milk supply.
• Enjoy those snuggly night feeds, as the ‘milk making’ hormone Prolactin is most abundant at night.
• During an average 8-9 hour working day, you will likely need to express 1-3 times, depending on how frequently bub is feeding at home, whether you have started solid foods and the age of your bub.
• If you are really pushed for time at work, still try to ensure that you express at least for 5-10mins rather than not at all. Replacing breastfeeds with pumping can leave you more susceptible to a reduced milk supply if you keep missing expressions. This is because of that marvellous, but sensitive, hormone Oxytocin needing to be activated effectively. Pumping is often not as efficient as actual breastfeeding, for the reasons mentioned above.

Teaching baby to bottle feed:

As with any baby transitioning onto bottle feeding it is a case of trial and error with different brands, I’m afraid. There is no one brand, which we recommend, as no two babies are the same. A few which have worked well for many women I have supported are:

• Nuk brand
• Happy Baby (yes, the cheap brand!)
• Medela Calma teat (expensive, so make sure it really does work before you buy several!)

Tips for introducing bottles:

• Starting early is important for some babies. As with all us human beings, we are very different and learn at varying rates. It is important not to stress too much in the early weeks about introducing bottles. These first few weeks are about learning the art of breastfeeding, spending time together to bond, cuddle, and learn each other’s language, not to worry about which bottle to buy. If you are planning to go back to work then starting a bottle from about 6-8 weeks of age maybe a good idea. Babies and mums can take this long to establish good feeding routines and technique do not interrupt this valuable time! If you have had many breastfeeding difficulties in the first few weeks and only feel you have connected with breastfeeding successfully at the 6-8 week mark, then leave the introduction of a bottle until a little later.
• Starting with someone else feeding bub from the bottle, while you are not in view or in the house can be helpful. You may need to try this several times before it works. I often suggest that mum goes out for a few hours and bub stays with dad or a known relative. There may be a few tears, but bub is still being loved and comforted, so will not cause any long-term distress. Babies will feed when they are hungry, but often the first few attempts bub will hold out and only breastfeed once mum returns! This can take some bravery on mum’s behalf, but try doing this a few times so it becomes OK and normal for your bub, soon they will start to take the bottle with ease.
• When bub is close to 6 months old they can transition straight onto a cup instead of a bottle. This is sometimes easier and babies don't always associate the cup with a breast so move onto it quicker. There are several brands of cups available. Have a look at Doidy cups.

• Try feeding from the bottle when bub is sleepy, or just woken from their sleep.
• Try using different teats/bottles. Make sure you don't buy lots of one brand as they may not take to it!
• Try the milk at different temperatures.
• Try distracting bub whilst you feed from the bottle/cup at first.
• Try facing bub outwards, I.e. sit them on your lap facing away from you. This way bub cannot see you and may take bottle/cup easier.
• Try introducing water in the bottle first. Remember not too much, as you don't want bub full on water instead of milk.
• Gentle persistence and support from family will help. Try not to get too concerned if it doesn’t work immediately. Some babies are very clever and just think “why would I want to feed on this plastic thing when I can have love, cuddles, warmth and happy feel good hormones when I feed from mum instead”! They are not silly!
• Some babies may even hold out for milk feeds until you return from work at the end of the day and then feed all evening and night. This is not uncommon, so be prepared that working and breastfeeding/expressing can be hard and trying at times. Having support from family and work colleagues is vital. Many babies will learn to take foods from another source eventually, but they are clever and can be stubborn for a few weeks! Try and ride through this time and eventually it should all fall into place and become much easier.
• Engage with other working and breastfeeding mums through the Australian Breastfeeding Association or online forums for extra support.
• If you notice a drop in your milk supply consult with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or Lactation Consultant earlier rather than later. This will ensure that any problems are resolved before it becomes much harder to rectify.

I hope this helps and allows for some earlier preparation, in order to make your return to work a success. Remember, the fact that you are breastfeeding and caring for your baby in this way is important and you are doing a fantastic job. It can be tough at first, but get support and take it one step at a time, just like we all have to do at the beginning when we are learning to breastfeed. Think how far you have come, this is just another learning step, which takes time for both of you to feel confident with.

Do you have a story to share? Let us know what you think down below in the comments, we'd love to hear from you.