Returning to work is a major factor in derailing many moms’ breastfeeding plans. The good news is that women and their employers can take some simple steps to support successful breastfeeding and, ultimately, healthier babies.

Wendy Nichols, R.N., a board-certified lactation consultant

Wendy Nichols, R.N., a board-certified lactation consultant at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, says a robust milk supply that can last must be well established early on. It should start during the first 60 minutes after birth.

A few weeks before returning to work, mothers may begin expressing some extra milk every day and freezing it. Milk stored in containers designed for breast milk can be frozen for at least three months in a refrigerator freezer, and twice that long in a deep freeze.

Finally, the Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide “reasonable break time” for an employee to express breast milk, as well as a private location (other than a bathroom) for milk expression.

For a list of resources for breastfeeding moms, visit women.memorialhealth.com or call 912-350-8164.

Memorial Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 at 2:09 pm and is filed under Birthing Preparation Classes, Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding consultation, Health/Safety, Healthcare, Parent Services, Parenting News, Postpartum Care for Mom & Baby. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.