Successfully Combining Working and Breastfeeding

Working women all over know the joy that comes when they find out there will soon be a baby added to their family. She and her spouse have a lot of planning to do and a long time to plan.

Many women decide to breastfeed their babies and wonder how being a breastfeeding mom will affect their job.

Breastfeeding isn't always easy no matter how natural it is. Add job stress to the fears you may already have about not being able to supply enough milk for your baby, and you may be concerned about the prospects of being able to do both. You may be glad to know that millions of women have become breastfeeding moms and held down their regular job.

Employers are required by law not to discriminate against breastfeeding moms. In fact, they may also be required to provide you with a relaxing place where you can pump while you're at work. Of course, you would have to pump during your scheduled breaks and during your lunch hour, but they cannot keep you from doing so.

You may wonder if it's worth the effort to continue breastfeeding. Here are some reasons why continuing to breastfeed even though you're stressed from work is a good idea:

* Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition possible for your baby.

* Pumping while at work will make breastfeeding while you're at home easier.

* Breastfeeding can save you quite a bit of money.

* Your baby will be healthier because your breast milk provides antibodies and nutrients that just aren't available in formula.

* Because your baby is healthier, you'll miss less work. This should be enough reason for your employer to encourage your choice to pump while you're at work.

* You may have fewer worries about your baby which could make you more productive at work.

* You will enjoy the special closeness that nursing provides when you are with your baby on weekends and at night.

* Your employer also benefits - they save money because you miss less work and since breastfed babies get sick less often, they go to the Doctor less.

Be sure to let your boss know that you plan to breastfeed and that you intend to pump during the day to provide your baby with the best possible start. Talking with them ahead of time will enable them to research the laws concerning breastfeeding and to set aside a private area where you can pump in privacy.

If your company doesn't have a refrigerator, plan to bring a small cooler that you can use to store the breast milk. You'll also need to bring an electric breast pump to make expressing milk quicker.

Don't beat yourself up if you find that pumping while at work doesn't work for you. Remember that your baby will still get the benefits of breast milk while you're at home on maternity leave. If you continue to breastfeed when you get home, your child will receive the benefits of breast milk but you'll have formula to fall back on while you're apart.

Remember that even partial breastfeeding has many benefits. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition. Of course, being forearmed with knowledge is a nursing mother's success secret. So read books on combining working and breastfeeding and visit with other moms at La Leche League meetings to learn their tips, and enjoy breastfeeding your baby.