Breastfeeding at Work
While breastfeeding for one year is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other organizations, most working moms go back to work far earlier than that. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to give up your healthy breastfeeding routine. While your schedule may change, Minnesota is one of 45 states with a law specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location, and one of 24 states with laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace. Specifically, the state law requires employers to provide daily unpaid break time for a mother to express breast milk, and to make a reasonable effort to provide a private location other than a toilet stall in close proximity for this activity. By pumping breast milk at work, you continue to provide great nutrition for your baby, make it possible to continue breastfeeding when you’re not at the office and may even miss work less, since breastfed babies tend to have fewer illnesses. If you’re planning on continuing breastfeeding after your maternity leave, consider the following tips:
• Talk to your employer ahead of time. Before you return to work, let your manager or HR department know that you plan to pump at work and determine the best space for it. Work together to create a schedule that is satisfactory for everyone.
• Do a dry run at home. Wake up at the time you’ll need to rise for work (and even consider having a friend, family member or your child’s daycare watch your child for at least a half-day). Pump when you intend to during the work day and ensure you have all the right supplies. At the end of the day, see if the amount you pumped is equal to what your baby drank (you might need to pump more or less than you think).
• Find the best spot for milk storage. While breast milk can be stored for up to 10 hours at room temperature, according to the La Leche League, refrigerated milk lasts longer and has less risk of spoiling. Some offices have mini-fridges for breast milk while other women use individual coolers.
• Be flexible. Just as you need to be flexible with your baby’s schedule and needs, you may also need to be flexible when it comes to pumping at work, particularly if several moms are breastfeeding at once. Clinic Sofia supports breastfeeding exclusively for six months, when possible, and we’d be happy to talk with you further about breastfeeding at work. Our new lactation specialist, Kim Skavnak, RN, is a licensed consultant who can answer questions and offer support to new moms and expecting moms via phone or in person.
