Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for Working Moms

By Lois Whittaker
Owner, Cushie Pushie Company

Being a mom and breastfeeding is a very important job and hard work for both new and experienced moms.  You are providing vital nutrients to your precious bundles of joy. Add in a full-time job, and it sometimes seems a bit overwhelming.  As a fellow working mom and someone who breastfeed her two boys, you can be successful at both your job and breastfeeding. Here are ten breastfeeding tips for working moms to help:

1. Get lots of rest– You will be tempted to try to do too much as the overachiever you probably are.  Make sure to go to bed early.
2. Drink lots of water & eat right – Put a big sports bottle of water and ice at your desk and finish it by lunch then another by the time you leave work. Break away from your desk to eat a healthy lunch.
3. Schedule pumping time on your calendar – Make an appointment with your breast pump. If it is not on your calendar people will think you are free and schedule you. Try to pump every 3-4 hours, which usually means at least two times during a workday. Ask your company if they provide a professional grade pump and a refrigerator for breast milk.  Many larger companies are providing lactations rooms for nursing moms
4. Network – Whether it is from a good friend, parenting website, breastfeeding group, or lactation consultant, ask if you need help.  These resources can give tons of suggestions you would never think of on your own.
5. Get Comfortable – Whether it is while nursing your baby or pumping, you need to find spot where both you can be comfortable. Scout out a private location at work where you can pump, preferably with a lock on the door for privacy.  Put a sign on the door to keep others out, so you can pump without being interrupted. You may want to consider a nursing cover if you cannot find a totally private location.
6. Ask about Flex Time and Alternative Work Schedules – If you do not ask, your work will not offer it.  Maybe you can go back to work part-time initially or work new hours that would better align with your babies’ feeding schedule.  Ask about telecommuting if it is available and would work for your job.
7. Try to Find A Daycare Close to Work – You could pop over for a quick “lunch” for baby. In addition, if you have a long commute you can feed baby before the trip home.
8. Get the Right Tools – Do not skimp on a breast pump.  This will be a huge part of your life and you need one that is comfortable and can do the job. There are also accessories to help make pumping easier, such as different size horns for different size breasts, bras to allow for hands free pumping so you can multi-task.Buy a good one or rent one. Get a good nursing pillow, nursing bra, nursing pads, and breast support pillow to help make your life easier. A pair of breast support pillows can also be used to help hold your breasts in position while pumping for larger breasted women.
9. Do Not Give Up – Stress from juggling work and family, can cause you to quit before you would like.  Don’t give up, you can do this!!!
10. Relax, be flexible, AND ENJOY – Make breastfeeding a personal experience and adapt as you need. Even if you find breastfeed exclusively is not working for you, and need to supplement, this is ok. Any breast milk you provide is better than no breast milk at all. What works for one mother may not work for another.  Just find your nursing groove and relax because you are providing your baby a precious gift. Enjoy the experience of snuggling with your baby as you feed him. It is the quality of time with your baby, not the quantity.

The great news is more and more companies are realizing the importance of breastfeeding for working moms and making an effort to try to make it easier for you. Happy Breastfeeding!!!!

About the Lois Whitttaker
Lois blogs about products, giveaways, and articles for moms at Goodies for Mom. Lois is also the owner of the Cushie Pushie Company and the inventor of the Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow for Nursing Moms. Follow Lois on Twitter at http://twitter.com/goodiesformom.

Tags: breastfeeding tips, Cushie Pushie, free advertising, guest blogging, living my moment, Mom Entrepreneur, working mom