Breastfeeding
A Gift of Love
What does a business have in com mon with a breastfed baby? They both rely on a working mother. Just as a company relies on its female employees to come to work each day, babies rely on their mothers for a continual supply of breast milk.
The number of mothers in today's work force is substantial. There are over 3 million women with children under 1 year of age who are part of the labor force in the U.S. Of these working mothers, more than half work full-time. Currently, 70 percent of babies are breastfed after birth and 33 percent are still breastfeeding at six months. 18 percent are still breastfeeding at one year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, states that human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding. The AAP recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child. Parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for the first six months of life with the gradual addition of complimentary foods thereafter.
Due to an increased awareness of the nutritional, emotional, and economic benefits of breastfeeding, more and more women are electing to do so. Why would a new mother want to continue to breastfeed after returning to work? One working/nursing mother put it this way: "Leaving my new baby and returning to work was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. But being able to provide my baby with breast milk while we were apart helped me feel connected to her. Being able to nurse her when I am home provides us with wonderful time together."
Returning to work is a known obstacle for women to continue breastfeeding (especially in the absence of workplace facilities and support for breastfeeding). Acknowledging this, the AAP policy statement now encourages employers to provide appropriate facilities and adequate time in the workplace for breast milk expression, and it also encourages childcare providers to support breastfeeding and the use of the expressed human milk provided by the parent.
Companies have discovered that supporting breastfeeding not only benefits mother and child but is also good for their bottom line. Breastfed infants are healthier, health costs are lower (potential decrease in annual healthcare costs of $3.6 billion in the US), and mothers take less personal time to tend to a sick child. Other employer benefits are improved employee morale and loyalty, increased productivity, reduced staff turnover, recruitment incentive, and enhanced company image. Combining work and breastfeeding is a decision by which all can truly benefit.
Tips for Working Moms:
- Decide before your maternity leave if you plan to continue breastfeeding after you return to work. If so, talk to your supervisor about the need for a private room to use for fifteen minutes 2-3 times a day. In the early months, you may need to express milk every 3-4 hours to maintain your milk supply and to avoid possible discomfort and breast infections.
- Several high-end, hospital-grade automatic electric pumps are available to rent or purchase. The decision regarding which pump to use would be based on part-time or full-time employment and the baby's age when returning to work.
- Provide your caregiver with proper instruction on how to handle and store your breastmilk and proper bottlefeeding technique with the use of a slow-flow bottle or sippy cup.
- Keep a photo of your baby with your pump to remind you of why you are pumping during your breaks and lunch, to provide a very special person with a very special expression of love.
