Breastfeeding Moms

The return to work from maternity leave marks a major parenting milestone, especially in your baby’s feeding journey. It’s a transition from always being with your baby, to sharing important responsibilities with others. This transition can be a difficult and emotional one, but the good news is there are techniques and tricks you can use to help make your return to work a more seamless experience for both you and your baby.  

• Tip # 1: Don’t wait until it’s time to go back to the office to use the bottle with your baby. It’s important to introduce the bottle in advance so that you can troubleshoot any issues with acceptance. The goal is to make sure that your baby can go back and forth between breast and bottle seamlessly. Once your baby is taking the bottle, you might find that bottle feeding can even take some pressure off of you! In fact, a new survey conducted by trusted infant feeding brand Tommee Tippee shows that 68 percent of parents said the most positive aspect of weaving in the bottle was being able to share feeding responsibilities with their partner.
• Tip # 2: Pick a portable breast pump that allows you to pump comfortably in your workplace! Wearable pumps are a great option and can help you meet your pumping goals without having to be tethered to the wall, so that you can go about your workday while you pump simultaneously. 
• Tip #3: Find a community of parents to lean on for support! Everyone’s feeding journey looks a bit different and seeing others share their stories—both the highs and the lows—will help you feel more confident in choosing what is best for your family. That’s why Tommee Tippee just launched The Social Feed, a new campaign that’s encouraging parents to share their feeding trials and tribulations on social media in order to create a community of support. Anyone wishing to join the conversation can share their story on social media using the hashtag #TheSocialFeed.  
• Tip #4: Get help from a lactation consultant as soon as you see a concern, as they can help you figure out a unique plan to best support you and your baby. Having an expert in your corner that believes in you and your ability to meet your goals can make a huge difference in both your feeding journey and your confidence!
• Tip #5: Be kind to yourself during this transition! Many parents returning to work from maternity leave feel isolated and overwhelmed, but once you establish a new routine, things will get better. So be kind to yourself and trust that you will figure this out!

The main thing to keep in mind is that everything you are feeling is normal! What I know from supporting so many parents through this transition is that it is going to be okay; you will be able to work and still meet your feeding goals with a little creativity and perseverance. 

Lactation Consultant Jessica Anderson (M.A., IBCLC, CLC) specializes in helping new moms prepare to go back to work after maternity leave, and she’s partnering with trusted infant feeding brand Tommee Tippee to shed light on how difficult the transition can be.