Dr. Stephanie Slock of Aurora Health Care talks about World Breastfeeding Week on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m.

This year's World Breastfeeding Week is focusing on mother returning to work and continuing to breastfeed after a return to the office.

Dr. Stephanie Slock of Aurora Health Care was a special live guest Monday on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m.

Studies show that breast milk is the best possible food for babies.

Dr. Slock said if companies make it easy for working moms to pump milk and continue to breastfeed, the healthier their child will likely be. That means mom will be less likely to use a sick day to take care of an ailing child.

Doctors recommend exclusive breast milk feedings for the first six months to provide your baby with the best
possible start in life.

Aurora Health Care advises mothers to consult  your Breastfeeding Resource Person at least two weeks before you return to work or school, to discuss a plan for your special needs.

Here are some tips that will allow you to continue to breastfeed your baby:

• See if your employer has a child care center at your
place of work, or if a child care center is nearby. If
your baby is close enough, you can feed your baby
on breaks and at lunchtime.

• Arrange to pump on your breaks at work or school.
Try to pump as frequently as your baby would
normally eat. If there isn’t a special room, see if you
can use the health room, private office or another room.

• If you can’t pump at work, pump extra milk while
you are home with your baby (see “Breast Milk
Removal and Storage”). Try to arrange your routine so that the last thing you do before
leaving your baby is breastfeed or pump, and the first thing you do when you get back to
your baby is breastfeed or pump.

• Pump extra milk in the weeks before you go back to work. Build up a supply in the freezer.

• If you see a drop in milk volume when you return to work, review your handout “Lactation:
Making Milk for Your Baby.” For more information or advice, call your Breastfeeding
Resource Person.

• Nursing your baby as much as possible on your days off will help to keep a good milk supply.

• Your baby may want to nurse more often during the hours you are at home and may eat less
often while you’re away. If you are not able to continue to exclusively breastfeed.

• Although it is best to give only breast milk to your baby, even a few feedings at breast or
breast milk in a bottle is better than none.

• It takes about three days for your body to learn to stop making milk at a certain time of the day.
• Your body will gradually learn to make less milk as you spend time at work or school and
when baby starts sleeping at night.

• If you must stop nursing suddenly when you go back to work or school, please contact your Breastfeeding Resource Person. Gradual weaning is recommended.
 

For more information click here