Nursing is beneficial for your baby’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Being able to supply breastmilk for your child when you are not physically with
her creates a connection. This connection makes the separation easier for you,
and possibly for baby. Nursing is also an important way to support your child's
immune system as it develops, important especially if your child is in daycare
with others. If you plan to return to work while still nursing your child, you
will most likely need to purchase a breast pump.
Choosing a Pump
Many nursing-working moms choose an electric breast pump,
with two breastshields, so that you can express milk from both sides at once. A
one-sided pump can do the job too. Since you’re trying to pump efficiently, an
electric pump is the best choice for two reasons:
You are able to pump more
milk in a shorter time
The electric breast pumps are
most like the stimulation you would experience from your baby, so allow
you to express most milk.
A new advance in breast pump technology has made pumps more
like nursing a baby, by mimicking the two types of sucking a baby employs. Some
pumps even have a switch so you can go from “let-down” mode to regular nursing
mode. You can decide which kind of pump is best for you depending on your
needs, for example:
How long you intend to keep
nursing
If you intend to supplement
with formula
If you are working full or
part time, traveling, etc.
What type of carrying case
you prefer for your equipment
Storing or Using Pumped Milk
You’ll also need to come up with a system for storing all of that pumped
milk. After pumping, be sure to date the bottle. If you have access to a
refrigerator and a sink at work, you can rinse your pump parts and store your
milk in bottles with lids. Without those amenities, you’ll want a cold storage,
such as an insulated bag, with “blue ice” or other cooling mechanism. Store
your used pump parts in the cool bag. You may wish to rinse them in a bathroom
sink as well.
Some mothers leave the pumped milk with the daycare provider, for the next
day’s feedings. Others take it home to freeze or store. Breast milk can be
frozen for three months safely, longer if you have a very low temperature
freezer. Thaw it by placing it in the refrigerator overnight, or warming the
container in a bowl of warm water. Remember: NEVER thaw or warm breastmilk in a
microwave. Nursing a child while working can be a challenge, but the benefits
to your child and your own emotional well being are well worth the effort. You
can do it!
External Links:
Medela - One source for high quality electric breast pumps
Avent - Another source for pumps and feeding equipment