Index:

Introduction
Preparing for Work/School
Pumping Hints
Collecting Breastmilk
Hand Expression
Storing Breastmilk
Tips for Mom & Baby

Introduction

You have 4 choices:

1. Breastfeed when together, go to a
    caregiver to breastfeed.
2. Breastfeed when together, have
    caregiver give breast-milk in a bottle
    when apart.
3. Breastfeed when together, have a
    caregiver offer iron-fortified formula
    in a bottle when apart.
4. Breastfeed when together, wean to
    iron-fortified formula when you go
    back to work/school.

Preparing for Work/School

Rest, relax, and enjoy your baby.
If possible, stay out 6 weeks to build up
     a good milk supply.
Begin expressing and storing milk 2
     weeks before your return.
Return to work/school on a Thursday or
     Friday as practice, before going back to a
     full work week.

Childcare:

Find a caregiver who is breastfeeding
     friendly.
Inform the caregiver that it is normal for
     breastmilk to look thin or watery and to
     be blue or yellow in color.
Remind the caregiver not to microwave
     breast milk.
Tell the caregiver not to feed your
     baby right before you pick her up so
     you can breastfeed right after work.

Talk to your Employer/School Nurse about:

A private place to pump to nurse
    (conference/ meeting room).
Two 15 minute breaks per day.
Breastfed babies get sick 33% less,
     which means less time you miss
    from work/school .

Helpful Hints When Pumping

Before Pumping:

Wash your hands!
Relax in a quiet place.
Have baby's pictures, clothes, or
     audiotape of baby with you.
Massage your breasts in a circular
     pattern. Then, lightly stroke your breasts
     from the outer edges towards the nipple.
Warm washcloths or shower will help
     your letdown.

While Pumping:

Center the pump over your nipple
     and areola.
Always start on minimum speed and
    then increase to comfort.
Your milk flow will be different. It will
     drip slowly at first, then squirt forcefully
     after let down.
When your milk flow slows down,
     switch to the other breast.

Things to Know:

Some women find it easy to nurse
     their baby on one breast while
     expressing milk from the other.
Most moms find they have the most
     milk in the morning.
When first learning how to hand
     express, practice in the shower.
Plan to pump at least once for every
     bottle baby gets.

Collecting Breastmilk

     Baby is best at getting milk from your breast. You can hand express breastmilk or use a breastpump.

Why express your milk?

To increase milk supply.
To prevent or relieve engorgement.
To supply breastmilk for your baby
     while you are apart.

What to expect?

Expect to collect small amounts.
When first starting to pump, it is
     NORMAL to get only a few drops.
The more you express, the more
     milk you will make.

When to express?

Begin by expressing once a day.
Express about 1 hour after you
     have nursed the baby.
The best time of day to express milk
     is in the morning.

Hand Expression

To Hand Express Breastmilk:

Get Ready:

Find a private place where you feel
    comfortable.
Wash your hands and supplies.
Wash your collection cup and
    storage bottles in hot, soapy water
    or in the dishwasher. Air dry.

Massage your breasts:

Breast massage helps your milk come
     out.
Put one hand underneath your breast
     for support.
Gently rub your breast with the other
     hand using small, circular motions.
Move around the breast, working
     from your chest toward your nipple.
Repeat on your other breast.
Massage for at least 2 minutes.

Collect your milk:

Place your fingers and thums about
    1 inch behind the areola (darker area
    around the nipple).
Gently lift; push breast back toward
    your chest, press fingers together
    and release.
It is a rolling motion. Do this several
    times until your milk begins to flow
    into the cup.
Continue around your breast.

Storing Breastmilk

Fresh Breastmilk
Getting Ready:

1. Wash hands.
2. Wash breast pump equipment in
    hot, soapy water; air dry.
3. Pour breastmilk into a clean
    container for storage; glass, plastic
    bottles, or double plastic bags.
4. Label with date and baby's name.

Handling:

1. Bring breastmilk to room
    temperature by running it under
    warm water or place it in a bowl of
    warm water.
2. Mix well.
3. Give to baby right away; throw away
    any milk left over.
4. Do not microwave or boil
    breastmilk.

Storage:

1. Put in refrigerator or cooler within 3
    hours of expressing.
2. Use fresh milk within 2 days or
    freeze.

Frozen Breastmilk
Getting Ready:

1. Freeze breastmilk in 2 to 4 oz
    portions leaving extra room at the
    top because it will expand when
    frozen.
2. You can add fresh milk to already
    frozen breastmilk. First, cool
    expressed milk in refrigerator. The
    amount of cooled milk you will add
    should be less than what is already
    frozen.
3. Store frozen breastmilk in the back
    of the freezer.

Handling:

1. Frozen breastmilk separates - it is
    normal.
2. Thaw frozen breastmilk under cool
    running water, then place in a bowl
    of warm water until thawed. Mix
    well.
3. Never refreeze thawed breastmilk.
4. Throw away any unused milk.

Storage:

1. 2 weeks if your freezer does not
    have a separate door.
2. 3 months if your freezer has a
    separate freezer door
3. 6 months if stored in deep freeze (0
    degrees F)

Storing Breastmilk

Tips for Mom and Baby

Tips for Mom:

Leaking? Press firmly against breasts for
    1 to 2 minutes.
Use breast pads to protect clothes.
Wear patterned or print tops or vests
    that button in the front.
Milk supply low? Breastfeed or express
    every 2 to 3 hours on days off or when
    you are home to increase milk.
Baby refusing to feed at caregivers?
     Baby may want to "cluster nurse" or
     breastfeed more often while
     together, every 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Invest in a small cooler and reusable
     ice packs.
Breastfeed at caregiver's before
     work/school and again before going
     home.

Tips to Help Baby Take a Bottle or Cup

The first few times will be a "learning"
     feeding.
Introduce a bottle around 3 weeks of
    age.
Have someone other than mom offer the
     bottle.
Wrap baby in a piece of mom's clothing.
Try offering the bottle when baby is
     still sleepy or awake and content.
Run warm water over bottle nipple.
Try different types of bottle nipples
     (rubber or silicone).
Try different positions. Some babies
     like to be held facing out, with their
     back against the caregiver's chest.
Offer bottle while rocking, walking,
     or swaying baby. Remember, baby
     can be fed mom's milk with a cup or
     spoon.

Sample Schedule

Download and print this information in the form of a full-color pamphlet! (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view files. You can download it for free here)

Why Breastfeed?
  Side A
  Side B

Breastfeeding & Work
  Cover Page
  Introduction
  Preparing
  Pumping Hints
  Collecting Breastmilk
  Hand Expression
  Storing Breastmilk
  Tips for Mom & Baby
  Sample Schedule

Dad & Breastfeeding
  Side A
  Side B