Read our Milk Tweets on Twitter!

From 1-3 days when baby learns to suck and swallow to 24 months when your baby may be weaned…

var addthis_config = {”data_track_clickback”:true};

Lactation consultants are uniquely qualified to address breastfeeding issues, and can make the difference on whether or not you successfully breastfeed your baby.

Nursing should be comfortable for mother and baby. Similar to working at a computer, use ergonomic support to distribute your baby’s weight and to maintain good posture.

Today women with children under the age of 3 are the fastest growing segment of the workforce. Combine this with the fact that in the US, more than 70% of new mothers choose to breastfeed their babies and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with. Providing a small dedicated pumping space and worksite lactation support to these mothers pays off via retention of experienced employees, reduction in sick time taken by mothers (and fathers) for child’s illnesses and lower healthcare and insurance costs for the company.

You will quickly develop a pumping routine. Used pumps are not recommended. Talk to friends, a lactation consultant or employees at maternity stores about choosing a pump and familiarize yourself with common pump problems so you can prevent a malfunction crisis and/or unnecessary second purchase.

Give yourself 2 weeks to practice with the pump before returning to work and for your baby to practice with the bottle. You don’t need a freezer full of milk – just a few bags for emergencies.

To streamline your pumping sessions, you can add specific items to your pump bag, pre-assemble pump parts the night before, pre-schedule pump times on your calendar and coordinate with other pumping moms.

There are common issues associated with pumping that can be avoided or quickly resolved if you familiarize yourself with them beforehand and prepare accordingly.

There are other places to pump if a lactation room or office isn’t available.

Milk supply is established by the level of demand. There are several ways you can increase supply. It helps know the mechanics of milk production (see 5 ounce version) when managing your milk supply.

During your leave, your baby had access to you 24×7, but now you are gone for a large part of the day. Babies seem to have a “mommy quota”, and if they don’t fill it during the day, they will seek it at night. It’s not about the milk; it’s about being with mom. This isn’t meant to induce guilt – it’s meant to help you understand a change in behavior.

You can choose to use pump sessions as a quick, well-deserved break for yourself, and it will aid in milk letdown and expression.

Allow yourself to get guidance by a professional bra fitter who understands the needs of nursing mothers so you avoid discomfort and related lactation issues. You can even get fitted over the phone (see 5 ounce version) and then buy online.

I love this organization for what they are doing - on a mission to change the face of breastfeeding so that the cultural barriers to breastfeeding in public and at work are removed, and they’re doing it in a graceful and non-threatening way. (They say it much better than I do.) Check out their ad [...]