Breastfeeding for Working Moms

Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to connect to your child. It is also a very cost-effective process. However, it does come with its own unique challenges, especially for working moms.

If you plan to return to work but are still very eager to breastfeed, do not be discouraged. There are many ways in our modern world to be the superwoman you know you can be. With some planning and lots of information, you will be able to breastfeed and work at the same time.

Here are some steps that will help you prepare for this challenging yet rewarding experience:

STEP 1 - Encourage your supply.

As the milk that you make is determined by supply and demand, frequent nursing encourages great breastmilk production. Keep the momentum going by nursing as often as you can. For the hours that you are at home and you can breastfeed, please do so.

An extra 500 calories while breastfeeding is also important for milk supply. There are plenty of post-natal vitamins and supplements that you can also take to send signals to your body to make more milk.

STEP 2 - Build a breastmilk stash.

Working at an office for long hours means your baby would need to find other ways to drink your milk. While some prefer bottle feeding breastmilk as the easiest alternative, you can also try cup feeding.

The average breastfed baby needs 1-1.5oz of milk per hour. To make this breastfeeding and pumping journey successful, you need to have a steady stash of milk. Pump and build your stash as much as you can so that you won’t run out easily. Mahirap maghabol, it will only leave you stressed and literally drained. 

You and your baby’s caregiver while you’re at work are also encouraged to learn how to pace a baby’s feeding session so your milk would be rationed properly.

STEP 3 - Know your rights as a nursing working mother.

Again, a huge part of the success of breastfeeding as a working mom comes from expressing milk, especially at work.

Here in the Philippines, Republic Act 10028 or the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act” requires all offices and places of work to establish lactation stations. Nasa batas na po natin ‘yan. This law also promotes the right of mothers for a break period when they can express milk in the said lactation stations.

The law also states that workplaces should conduct breastfeeding programs as part of their human resource development programs. Employers are required to give regular breastfeeding education to their employees using brochures and pamphlets. These materials should include information on manual breastfeeding expression, cup feeding, etc.

This law applies to all companies and each establishment needs to secure a “Working Mother-Baby-Friendly Certificate” from the Department of Health. Again, this is already part of the Philippine law and must be implemented.

STEP 4 - Boost your milk supply.

There are lots of ways to make more milk, and most of them are natural, easy and even fun!

There’s co-sleeping, consuming malunggay-rich food and drinks, drinking purely breastmilk and saying no to the bottle and formula milk. Resting a lot and drinking plenty of water also guarantees an increase in milk production. As a working mom, not all of those things are easy to do. Another great way to boost milk supply is by drinking delicious lactation milk!

Purest Lactation is the best drink for breastfeeding mommies. It combines the magic of Fenugreek and Moringa, two plants that guarantee an increase in milk supply, into one chocolate-flavored drink. Purest Lactation is perfect for mommies on all kinds of journeys: first-time moms, working moms, extended breastfeeding moms, single mothers, and many more.

STEP 5 - BELIEVE.

That’s right, mommy. The best way to breastfeed while working is to believe that you can do it! Women are built powerful and capable of nurturing and providing for their children. With the help of these tips, the natural ingredients in Purest, and your own willpower, you can give your child the best and purest nutrition he could ever get in his life.

Have faith in your breastfeeding journey. Trust Purest, the most trusted breastfeeding milk in the market.