To maintain breastfeeding after returning to work, it is necessary to breastfeed the baby at least 2 times a day, which can be morning and evening. In addition, breastmilk should be withdrawn with a pump twice a day to maintain milk production.
By law, a woman can also leave home an hour earlier to breastfeed as soon as she arrives home and can also use lunchtime to eat at home and take advantage of breastfeeding or milk at work.
Here's how you can make more breast milk.
Tips to keep breastfeeding after going back to work
Some simple tips to keep breastfeeding after going back to work may include:
- Choose the most comfortable way to remove the milk, which can be manually or with a manual or electric pump;
- Take out milk one week before starting work, so whoever takes care of the baby can give breast milk in the bottle, if necessary;
- Wear front-opening sweaters and breastfeeding bra, to make it easier to withdraw milk at work and breastfeed;
- Drink 3 to 4 liters of liquids a day like water, juices and soups;
Eat foods rich in water like gelatin and foods with energy and water, such as canjica.
To conserve breast milk you can put the milk in sterile glass bottles and store in the refrigerator for 24 hours or in the freezer for 15 days. Labels should be placed on the bottle with the date of the day the milk was withdrawn, to first use the bottles that are stored the longest.
In addition, when the milk is withdrawn at work it should be stored in the refrigerator until the time of leaving and then transported in a thermal bag. If it is not possible to store the milk, it should be discarded, but continue to drink milk because this is important to maintain milk production. Learn more about storing milk in: Breastfeeding.
How to feed baby after going back to work
Here's an example of how to feed the baby around 4-6 months, when the mother goes back to work:
- 1st meal (6h-7h) - Breast milk
- 2nd meal (9h10h) - Puree apple, pear or banana
- 3rd meal (12h-13h) - Mashed vegetables such as pumpkin, for example
- 4th meal (15h-16h) - Gluten-free porridge like rice porridge
- 5th meal (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) - Breast milk
- 6th meal (21h-22h) - Breast milk
It is normal for the baby close to the mother to refuse the bottle or other foods because he prefers breast milk, but when he does not feel the presence of the mother it becomes easier to accept other foods. Learn more about feeding in: Baby feeding from 0 to 12 months.
