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Supporting Working Women
Sneak Preview – Section 5
Learning objective: Identify at least 3 common challenges to sustaining breastfeeding after women return to work, and a strategy for addressing each.
Topics: Solutions for emotional, physical, and worksite considerations
Handout E: “Solutions for Working Mothers”
Resources in The Business Case for Breastfeeding Folder #4, “Employees’ Guide to Breastfeeding and
Working” Folder #5, “Outreach Marketing Guide”
Supporting Working Women
Ways to Use this Section Provide classes at businesses Train health care professionals Guide support group discussion One-on-one counseling Integrate into community education for new
families
Your Role in Supporting New Families
Support the family’s goals Advocate for the family
Encourage worksite support Offer education and support Share resources Work for community changes
Serve as liaison with employers
See Folder #5, “Outreach Marketing Guide” for lesson plans and other ideas
Welcome to My World
Cultural Perspectives
Considering cultural issues are critical in assisting both new mothers and their employers
Avoid making generalizations or assumptions about cultural groups
Exercise sensitivity for cultural differences that are relevant to specific population groups you serve
Balancing Breastfeeding and Employment
Delicate balance Infant formula advertising/prominence in society Breastfeeding can seem dispensable in the face
of challenges Provide solutions framed as “options”
Ideas that Work:Return to Work Options
Explore options with supervisor Return part-time at first Work a 4-day work week (take off a day mid-week) Telecommute Job share Split shifts Return toward end of the week
Emotional Considerations
Role and family conflicts Competing demands Fatigue/sleep
deprivation Sadness Depression Guilt
Ideas that Work:Preparing the Mother for
Separation Plan ahead Breastfeed exclusively during
maternity leave Get help with early concerns Practice milk expression
(especially at early a.m. feeds) Attend classes
Ideas that Work:Preparing the Baby for Separation
Breastfeed exclusively the first 3-4 weeks
If mothers choose to offer milk in other ways, they can choose from several options, including bottle, cup, dropper, spoon, or syringe
“Reverse cycle feeding” Start baby in child care
early to ease transition
Tips for Helping Baby Accept Other Methods
Have somebody besides mom offer it
Try when baby is not overly hungry
Try when baby is sleepy Try varied methods Don’t make it a battle…try
again later (Berggren 2006)
Ideas that WorkDealing with Mommy Sadness
Breastfeeding helps mothers connect Babies usually cope well Connect with other working mothers It’s normal to feel guilty about wanting to work
Ideas that Work:Minimizing Stress after Returning to
Work Plan ahead
Think through options beforehand Develop routines Take a practice “trial run” Download checklist
www.workandpump.com and www.milkmemos.com
Enlist partner support Take care of herself
Child Care Considerations
Financial Impact Can cost more than tuition 10-30% of family income
Many mothers turn to family Child care centers not always supportive
Ideas that WorkChild Care Options
On-site child care Bring baby to work Bring baby to work during meal period Choose a provider near workplace
Physical Considerations
Breast concerns Uncomfortable fullness/engorgement Leaking Real or perceived low milk production
Ideas that Work:Maintaining Milk Production
Milk production a continuous process Frequent breast drainage necessary Breastfeed early and often Access professional lactation support “Find a Lactation Consultant Directory”
www.ilca.org
See “Resource Guide” in Folder #3 for lactation resources
Ideas that Work:The “Magic” Number
When home with baby count number of times baby feeds on cue
This is her “magic” number Keep the “magic” number steady after returning
to work to maintain production # of direct feedings + # of milk expression
sessions = magic number
Using stockpile of expressed milk without continuing to express will decline productionConcept used with permission from Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC
Ideas that WorkHow Much Milk Baby Needs
Milk production constant at 25-35 ounces daily (3-4 ounces per feed) from 1-6 months (Kent 2006)
To calculate baby’s needs: Divide 24-hour period into fractions
8-hour work day is 1/3 of 24 hours 12-hour work day is 1/2 of 24 hours
Divide average of 30 ounces into fractions 1/3 of 30 ozs. is 10 ozs. 1/2 of 30 ozs. is 15 ounces
Baby’s needs highly variable Store milk in 2-3 oz. amounts to
minimize waste(Morhbacher/Ameda.com)
Ideas that Work:Rebuilding Declining Production
Breastfeed more often at home with baby Breastfeed at night Add a milk expression session when milk volume
is higher Know impact of medications Be sure pump is working Contact an IBCLC
Ideas that Work:Milk Expression Tips
Bring baby items that appeal to 5 senses Drink something warm Warm washcloth Massage Visualize milk flow Avoid looking at collection bottle
Workplace Considerations
Lack of privacy Job settings and work
schedules Jobs that require constant
physical presence Travel Schedule disruptions Inappropriate comments at
work Shyness in discussing needs
with supervisor
Considerations of Low Wage Earners
Physical environment at work Erratic work schedules Multiple jobs Lack of familial support Lack of job security Perception of being easily replaced
(Ehrenreich 2000)
Ideas that Work:Dealing with Supervisors and
Colleagues Discuss how lactation support benefits the
company Approach a company nurse or wellness staff Document your need. You can use the template
letter in Folder #4 to communicate your needs.
See Folder #4, “Employees’ Guide to Breastfeeding and Working”for “Dear Supervisor” letter and
Folder #5, “Outreach Marketing Resources” CD-ROM for template letter to a supervisor from mother’s physician
Ideas that Work:Dealing with Other Workplace
Challenges Express milk before meetings Communicate needs to supervisors Seek creative ways to gain privacy Access other working mothers for support
Resources for Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) “Find a Lactation Consultant Directory” at www.ilca.org and local US Lactation Consultant Association “chapters”
La Leche League, International at www.lalecheleague.org
Human Milk Banking Association of North America for milk storage guidelines at www.hmbana.org
