As a nursing mom, there will undoubtedly be times when you will have to be away from your baby. Perhaps it will only be for a short period of time, such as when you go on a date with your husband. Sometimes you might have to be away from baby for a longer period, such as if  you have to travel on business and cannot take your baby along. Or there is a medical procedure that you must have, that will make it impossible for you to breastfeed for awhile.

This doesn’t have to mean weaning, however.

If you are a nursing mom, there are some extra steps you can take to ensure you and your baby cope well with this change in schedule.

This means stocking up on milk to nourish your baby while you’re away, keeping up your milk supply and remembering a few comfort techniques for yourself.

Here are a few tips for moms who have to leave their nursing baby.

1) Store Milk for Baby

Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you’ll want to begin pumping extra milk a few times a day to be stored and used to feed your baby while you’re away. This might take a couple of weeks, depending on how much your baby eats, how often you pump and how accustomed you are to pumping. Pumping is definitely a learned art. Don’t be discouraged if you get little or no milk at first.

Many moms find that it’s easiest to pump extra milk in the morning when their supply is higher, or after a nap. (Typically a woman has more milk after a period of sleep.) You could also nurse baby on one side and pump on the other with a high quality hand held pump. The familiar sensation of baby’s nursing makes the milk flow more easily, and you’ll often get more milk.

Store your milk in freezer-safe containers that the babysitter or another family member can pull out and warm for baby when he or she is hungry.

If your baby is not used to bottle feeding, it’s a good idea to introduce the bottle to him or her before leaving. It usually works best if someone else offers the bottle, not you, as baby will often reject a bottle when your breasts are nearby. Some babies are so sensitive, they won’t bottle feed if mom is in the house, so consider running an errand the first time your baby’s caregiver attempts this.

You can also leave behind an article of clothing of yours, such as a shirt or nightgown, to remind baby of your smell while feeding.

2) Keep Up Your Milk Supply

While away, it is important to keep up your milk supply if you plan on nursing your baby when you get back. To do this, you’ll need to find a pump that works well for you. It may be a hand pump, electric pump or by hand expressing your milk. You’ll want to pump as often as your baby usually nurses, if possible. (If you can’t manage this, shoot for every 4 hours and once at night.)

As long as milk is being taken out of your breasts, your body will believe it is still nursing and continue to produce milk on a regular basis.

Many women find it helpful to take along a picture of their baby to look at while pumping or a blanket that has their smell. It is a good idea to use the same blanket during a couple of feedings before leaving and take this with you. You might want to wear nursing pads throughout the day to catch any leaking that may occur.

3) Comfort Techniques

Not being able to nurse as frequently can cause painful engorgement for some women. The breasts feel sore, tender and hard in some areas.

Pumping the milk out can help out tremendously, but you may still want to employ some comfort techniques for your own benefit.

Take a warm compress, such as a hand towel moist with warm water and place on your breasts. After a few minutes of direct heat, gently massage the lumps in your breasts. This will help the milk flow easier and is a good time to pump some milk out.

After massaging the breasts, a cold pack might help reduce discomfort and pain. A hot or cold shower can replace the hot or cold packs if you wish.

It may not be easy when a mom has to leave her nursing baby, but hopefully with these tips you’ll be as comfortable as possible and resume a happy breastfeeding relationship once you and baby are reunited!

photo credit: Daquella manera

Here are 10 quick tips on pumping while away from your baby:

1. Begin pumping a few weeks before you return to work to get accustomed to pumping, and to build your supply and your breastmilk stash.
2. Bring a picture of your baby to work with you and look at it to help with letdown.  Another way to help with letdown is bringing your baby’s blanket or clothing that smells like him or her.
3. Pump every three to four hours for at least 15 minutes.
4. Bring a cooler with you to place expressed milk.
5. To increase supply, pump or nurse more often.
6. Pump in the early morning since this is when you are most likely to have the highest output.
7. Some mothers say that eating oatmeal or taking  herbs (such as in breastfeeding tea) will increase supply.
8. Go hands-free by using a specially made nursing bra or buying a hands-free pump.
9. Try pumping the “other side” when baby is nursing when you are at home.
10. Sleep with your baby. Baby will get more calories when nursing at night and your supply will increase. Also, you will likely get more sleep than if you get up to nurse baby in the night.
11. And a bonus tip! You get what you pay for when it comes to pumps. The higher quality pumps are easier on your breast tissue and also more effective. For full time pumping if you are going to be away from baby several hours a day, invest in an electric double pump. This is still far less expensive than formula feeding, not to mention your baby will be healthier meaning fewer trips to the Doctor!

By Marjorie Greenfield, MD

The topic of balancing work and motherhood could fill many books. In my practice, I talk to new moms every day who invariably share their thoughts and ideas about the unexpected challenges of caring for young children, attending to their personal needs, and managing to perform well in their jobs.

Here are some different strategies that I’ve found are helpful when dealing with jobs and young children.

Be proud of your juggling abilities. Although you may sometimes feel overwhelmed, step back and look at all you’re achieving. By handling it all, you become an inspiring role model for your kids.

Learn to live with guilt. Most moms feel guilty when dividing their time, attention, and loyalties between home and work. Accept that you’ll sometimes feel conflicted, and then move on.

Think creatively about work options. Try to negotiate work hours that fit with your whole life. Ideas include part-time, flextime, job sharing, and having your partner work less and parent more.

Find childcare that works for your family. Learn about your childcare options as early as possible, and pick the one that will free you physically and emotionally to do your best on the job.

Have backup childcare at the ready. Plan ahead for when (not if) a childcare crisis will develop. Some ideas: visiting nurse “sniffle care” for mildly sick children; trading childcare with other parents; getting you or your partner’s boss to allow an emergency day off.

Simplify your domestic life. Shop online; ask your partner to help more around the house; have dry cleaning, groceries, or drugstore items delivered; pay for a lawn mower or house cleaner.

Be efficient and organized. Spend the last few minutes of your workday preparing for the next morning. Keep only one calendar and coordinate with your spouse–doctor appointments, kids’ activities, work obligations. Put clothes out for the next day; make lunches the night before. Pick up toys just once a day.

Book grown-up time. When life gets busy, you need to schedule time for yourself or you won’t get it. Have boundaries, such as a closed bedroom door, and set rituals, such as strict bedtime hours. Nurture your relationship. A happy parent has happy kids.

Do a reality check. Periodically reassess how your arrangements are working for yourself and your family as a whole. If you’re miserable, make changes. Saying “no” to people who want too much of you is okay.

Remember to enjoy life. Take pleasure in your children–they grow up quickly. Think of parenting as a gift, and make time for fun with your family. Don’t forget to laugh and keep it light.

* * * * *

Marjorie Greenfield MD is a practicing board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, and associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine MacDonald Women’s Hospital. An esteemed expert in her field, Dr. Greenfield has earned more than a dozen top awards, including spots on several “Best Doctors in America” lists over the past decade, and is author of The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book (Yale University Press).

Even though this is a manual pump and not an electrical one, it has been my favorite breast pump thus far. I use it for times when I’ll be away from baby for a night or during out of town trips away from baby where I’ll need to relieve the pressure and keep up my milk supply until I return. This pump costs around $25 and comes quite in handy for those who need a pump just some of the time rather than on a consistent basis.

I like how portable this pump is. There are three parts that must be assembled for each use. It is the base (with the breastshield), the handle and the bottle. The handle snaps right on top of the base and the bottle screws into the bottom to fill with milk. The breastshield is a soft, flexible plastic that fits over the breast. These can be unassembled and placed in a small travel bag which is easy for storage or for traveling.

The Medela manual pump is very easy to use and quite effective, too. I find that I can get more milk out with this than electrical brands. The handle has two methods of extracting the milk, called a 2-Phase Expression. One is to mimic the natural sucking that a baby does as soon as he latches on, which is rapid. The other has longer sucking strokes to mimic the natural rhythm of a baby as he drinks milk. The two of these are able to effectively extract the milk.

Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Medela sells another manual breast pump that utilizes a long spring that attaches to the base, instead of the handle of the Harmony one. Be aware that this isn’t the same hand pump and this one actually works horribly and is not worth your money. The Harmony one, however, is the one I always recommend to other breastfeeding mothers who have tried various pumps and can’t seem to catch a break. They agree this one is easy to use and does work.

This doesn’t have to mean weaning, however.
photo credit: EraPhernalia Vintage (somewhat busy)

If you are a nursing mom, there are some extra steps you can take to ensure you and your baby cope well with this change in schedule.

This means stocking up on milk to nourish your baby while you’re away, keeping up your milk supply and remembering a few comfort techniques for yourself.

Here are a few tips for nursing moms who have to be away from their baby.

1) Store Milk for Baby

Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you’ll want to begin pumping extra milk daily to be stored and used to feed your baby while you’re on your trip. This might take a couple of weeks, depending on how much your baby eats, how often you pump and what your milk supply looks like.

Many moms find that it’s easiest to pump extra milk in the morning when their supply is higher, or after a nap. (Typically a woman has more milk after a period of sleep.)

Store your milk in freezer-safe containers that the babysitter or another family member can pull out and warm for baby when he or she is hungry.

If your baby is not used to bottle feeding, it might be a good idea to briefly introduce the bottle to him or her before leaving. It usually works best if someone else offers the bottle, not you, as baby will often reject a bottle when your breasts are nearby.

You can also leave behind an article of clothing of yours, such as a shirt or nightgown, to remind baby of your smell while feeding.

2) Keep Up Your Milk Supply

While away, it is important to keep up your milk supply if you plan on nursing your baby when you get back. To do this, you’ll need to find a pump that works well for you. It may be a hand pump, electric pump or by hand expressing your milk. You’ll want to pump as often as your baby usually nurses, if possible. The pumping will cause your body to believe it is still nursing and continue to produce milk on a regular basis.

Many women find it helpful to take along a picture of their baby to look at while pumping or a blanket that has their smell. It is a good idea to use the same blanket during a couple of feedings before leaving and take this with you. You might want to wear nursing pads throughout the day to catch any leaking that may occur.

3) Comfort Techniques

Not being able to nurse as frequently can cause painful engorgement for some women. The breasts feel sore, tender and hard in some areas.

Pumping the milk out can help out tremendously, but you may still want to employ some comfort techniques for your own benefit.

Take a warm compress, such as a hand towel moist with warm water and place on your breasts. After a few minutes of direct heat, take some natural oil, such as sweet almond oil and gently massage the lumps in your breasts. This will help the milk flow easier and is a good time to pump some milk out.

After massaging the breasts, a cold pack might help reduce discomfort and pain. A hot or cold shower can replace the hot or cold packs if you wish.

Nursing your baby exclusively on breast milk for at least the first six months gives the baby the best start in life. Breastfeeding is the most natural way in terms of nutrition as well as skin to skin contact to encourage your baby’s development and emotional well-being. Breastfeeding also has many well-known health advantages for the mother.

In today’s world, with lots of mothers in the workforce, there are many constraints on breastfeeding. Investing in a high quality and easy to use breast pump will give a working mother the option to feed her baby exclusively with her own milk, even when she is at work.

The Medela breast pump comes in a fashionable bag with lots of room for everything mom needs to pump on-the-go. The 2-Phase Expression® Technology allows more milk to be pumped in less time. It also gives mom the option of double or single pumping, adjustable speed and more. The bag also contains a cooler bag with ice pack, 2 breast shields, 4 bottles and lids, removable work surface, mesh storage bags for any loose pieces and parts, 9volt AC adapter and battery pack, 8 AA batteries and of course the pump itself. Also included are an instruction manual and a breastfeeding information guide with lots of tips.

Medela has more than 25 years of experience in the field of breast pumps and offers very high performing pumps to you and your baby. Medela products are of very high quality and comfort and help every nursing mother to achieve the best possible breastfeeding start.

Breastfeeding Pumps

Pumps come in two types: manual or electric. Manual is usually less expensive. These pumps depend on the user controlled pumping, and can be tiring. The Avent Isis is one of the most popular manual pumps. It’s quite easy to use, even for the beginner, and is comfortable for most women.

The Avent Isis and other manual pumps are also good for occasional use, such as when a mom wants to pump a bottle to leave with a sitter for a night out. They’re handy in the case of a nursing strike and to boost supply in a woman who may need to make more milk.

The second type, electric, is more expensive, but easier to use for long term or frequent use. Usually electric pumps take less time than manual pumps, because the pumping action is more consistent.

No matter which type of pump you purchase, expect to see the same amount of milk production with both. Contrary to popular belief, electric pumps do not stimulate more milk, it just gets milk faster. The most you will get during a pumping session varies. If you’re newer, you may be lucky to get an ounce. You have to train your body to let down for the pump. Once you get good at pumping, you might get between 4 to 8 oz, and it does decrease as your milk production regulates.

When buying a pump, remember to avoid used pumps, unless you’re purchasing from a hospital that rents pumps especially equipped for multiple users. The standard, non-commercial pumps you see for sale on eBay or Craigslist can never be fully sterilized, due to internal tubing that can’t be reached.

Poof!

There goes your plan to transition baby to drink expressed milk before you start working.

Now what?

Take heart—it’s not your fault your breastfed baby won’t take a bottle. Many won’t, even if they’re offered a bottle from week one.

Help! My breastfed baby won’t take a bottle – what now!?

There are a few things you can do if your breastfed baby won’t take a bottle.

Try using different nipples.
If your baby uses a pacifier, try finding a similar nipple.

Have someone else give baby the bottle.
Many babies refuse to eat when they know Mom’s around, and they can smell you from 20 feet away!

Gradually work the bottle into your baby’s feedings.
Be sure to offer it when you baby isn’t starving (and frustrated). You can also try different feeding positions.

You can try pouring a little bit of milk in the bottle and leaving it with baby’s toys (but be sure not to leave it out too long since breastmilk can sit at room temperature only up to eight hours). This will help your baby become acquainted with the bottle.

If your breastfed baby won’t take a bottle after following these suggestions, try using a cup or sippy cup instead. Some babies just hate bottles and who can blame them? Babies are smart—they know breast is best!

Tips from real mommies in the trenches:

Lexi Rodrigo said:  “I used a sippy cup. my 3rd child never used a bottle at all”

Shannon said:  “If I wasn’t in the room, my son would take a bottle from my husband. If he saw me he want to nurse.”

photo credit: eyeliam

Breastmilk storage bags are a convenient and safe way to store your expressed milk.

Breastmilk Storage Bags

Ditch those flimsy plastic bags and instead opt for breastmilk storage bags, which are specially designed for breastfeeding moms.

Regular plastic bags and bottle liners can easily burst, especially when frozen.

Imagine this—you have pumped for days and have finally created a pantry-worthy supply of breast milk in your freezer except—oh no!—the bags have popped, leaving your “liquid gold” pooled on your freezer’s shelf.

Spare yourself!

Store your milk in breastmilk storage bags, which are made of thicker plastic, have a double zipper seal, are pre-sterilized, and are lined with nylon to prevent any fat from adhering to the sides. Many bags will easily fit in your freezers. Just make sure to write the date you stored the milk on the bag.

photo credit: Daquella manera

Get breastmilk storage bags online here.

It seems like everywhere you look online or in breastfeeding books you will get a different answer. The leading authorities on all things breast milk, La Leche League, say it is safe to store breast milk in the refrigerator for seventy-two hours for maximum freshness but that up to eight days is acceptable.

You have about four hours to get your breast milk into the refrigerator after pumping, however, if you need a bit more time six hours is considered acceptable. Interestingly, breastmilk left out of the fridge has more immune factors after 8 hours.

If you need to store the breast milk longer than seventy-two hours you should put it in a container that is appropriate for the freezer and then freeze it. Breast milk can be frozen for six months, which is ideal, or up to twelve months if necessary.

Breast milk storage