By now, you and your baby have a schedule for feedings. You may wonder how you
can nurse your baby after you return to work.
One way is to pump your breast milk into a
bottle. There are special breast pumps that you can buy to help you pump out your breast milk
efficiently. Other caregivers can then feed it to your baby while you are away.
Breast
milk can be stored in a bottle in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours. It will keep for two to three
months in the freezer. Always label and date bottles of breast milk.
Not all moms may be
able to provide breast milk for their babies in day care. Some moms may choose not to pump breast
milk. In this case, the baby can be given formula at day care. Moms who don’t pump can still
breastfeed their babies before and after work.
Going back to work takes preparation. Start
pumping your breast milk a few weeks before you return to work. Have someone else give your baby
your breast milk in a bottle. Do this for one feeding each day. When you return to your job, nurse
your baby before going to work. Continue to nurse him when you are at home.
Take the bottles
of breast milk when you drop off your baby for child care. Carry the bottles in a cooler. Put the
date and your baby’s name on the bottles. Your baby’s caregiver will give these bottles to your baby
during the day.
If you have any questions or problems with breastfeeding, talk to your
doctor, nurse or WIC breastfeeding counselor. To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La
Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at www.lalecheleague.org/.
This content has been provided freely by CMC.
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