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delicious cookies that boost milk supply and replenish key nutrients moms need.
Breastfeeding isn't just about having a supportive partner at home. It's about having the support to pump in the workplace. For women who work in an office, it may just be having a private space with outlets, comfortable chairs, and a locking door (that's not in a bathroom). But what about moms who don't work in an office? Bus drivers? Police officers? Middle school teachers? ER doctors? How can those moms find time and space so they can spend 20 minutes pumping every 3-4 hours during their working hours? And how will the stress of the logistics, time, and pressures of pumping at work affect their milk supply?
The Department of Labor recently issued a widespread "request for information" for women to share stories and insight about the challenges, pitfalls, and successes of pumping and breastfeeding while working. While the window for responding to the Department of Labor has closed, it has sparked new discussion about how to support breastfeeding mothers who are returning to work.
I am so excited that we, as a society, are having these discussions. I vividly remember going back to a fast-paced job after my first child was born and being completely overwhelmed with trying to fit pumping into an already jam-packed day in an office environment that wasn't set up to accommodate me. Horrible. On a daily basis, I hear from moms who struggle to continue breastfeeding while working. It's universal, regardless of where you're working.
Also this month:
Michelle Obama highlights breastfeeding in her Let's Move! campaign to fight childhood obesity and milkmakers recognizes the hard work of mothers managing both a new baby and a career.
 | | Celebrating working mothers doing it all! |
emily,
founder, milkmakers
Do you know a working "Super Mom" who does it all? Nominate her on our Facebook page by sharing her story and all the amazing things she does. You BOTH will be entered to win a free order of cookies!
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Breastfeeding and Working: Streamlining Your Routine
Now that you've made the commitment to breastfeed your baby AND you're going back to work, you may be wondering...how do moms really do this?
Here are some tips from experienced breastfeeding moms who have learned how to make every second count!
To make your mornings easier, plan on doing some quick preparation the night before. This practice will not only save you precious time in the morning, it will also keep you from forgetting essentials. Even though my daughters are well beyond the age of breastfeeding, I still
prep for my morning before I go to bed at night.
Some examples of night-time preparation:
- Prepare bottles with appropriate amount of milk and label them with the date and your baby's name.
- Lay out your baby's clothes and yours. No need to waste precious time staring into your closet in the morning. Better yet, dress your baby in the next day's clothes and forget about jammies!
- Keep the pump bag, diaper bag and your charging phone by your purse or briefcase. Make sure your calendar (be it electronic or paper) is in this pile.
- Take a look at your calendar for the next day and make sure you have your pump breaks scheduled.
- Ask your partner to pack your food for the day-lunch and a couple of snacks. You will probably be surprised and delighted at the quantity of food he thinks you should eat!
- Add all baby supplies to the diaper bag-except the milk.
There will still be things you need to do in the morning. But you may find you don't need to do all you used to do before baby. For example, many of my clients shower at night and skip their morning shower. Your time is precious, so do whatever you need to do to make life easier.
In the morning:
Add ice and pumped milk to the daycare bag. A little cooler specifically for baby bottles is great for this purpose. If the milk is frozen, you don't even have to add ice!
Breastfeed baby one more time before going out the door. Or leave a little early and breastfeed at the day care. That will mean less milk that you will have to pump!
General tips:
Wear clothes that give you easy access to your breasts. You shouldn't have to take off your shirt or dress in order to pump or breastfeed. Check out www.hadleystilwell.com for professional nursing/pumping clothing.
Remember you don't need to wash the pump parts after each pumping. Just keep them in a cooler (with ice) or a refrigerator and they'll be ready to go for the next pumping.
Some moms love to pump hands free. There are bras and other devices that hold the pump flanges in place so you can multi-task.
Invest in extra pump parts-including bottles and caps-and keep extra at work just in case.
Take advantage of oxytocin coursing through your bloodstream. It will help you relax and enhance your creativity.
If you feel overwhelmed, try to remember that your baby will only be this little and dependent for a short time.
Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is available for in-home consultations. Enlist Renee's help to create a customized plan for re-entering the workforce. Renee also offers phone consultations for a wide range of issues including childcare, pump selection, pumping and storing milk, increasing milk production and getting enough rest. Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com .
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milkmakers Wholeheartedly Applauds First Lady Michelle Obama's Remarks in Support of Breastfeeding
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First Lady Michelle Obama campaigns for her Let's Move! initiative.
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First Lady Michelle Obama is passionate about solving the rampant problem of childhood obesity. Her Let's Move! initiative is dedicated to helping children and their families be able to make healthy choices during the children's earliest years. At a recent roundtable discussion with reporters, Mrs. Obama remarked that she wants to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed their babies to help prevent childhood obesity and push more hospitals to be certified as "Baby Friendly" by Baby Friendly USA, a non-governmental organization that works with UNICEF and the World Health Organization to increase breastfeeding rates by working with hospitals to give mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
As referenced in the May 2010 Report to the President from the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, children who were breastfeed as infants have a significantly lower rate of childhood obesity, a difference that carries well into adolescence. In addition, in January 2011 U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin released a "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding" which outlines steps that health care systems, organizations, and communities can take to support women who want to breastfeed and remove the obstacles many of these women face.
"It's encouraging to see the First Lady of the United States tackling the terrifying epidemic of childhood obesity head-on," says Emily Kane, founder and owner of milkmakers. "I'm beyond excited that, as a society, we're finally having the conversation about how breastfeeding can be a part of the solution."
Click here to read more about the Let's Move! initiative
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we're so excited...
a new flavor!
 Moms, you spoke and we listened. We're pleased to introduce the new dairy-free oatmeal raisin cookie flavor!
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Real Mom:
This month milkmakers is recognizing working super mom Tamara!
Tamara, mom to Benton (3 years) & Iron (5 ½ months)
 | | Tamara and son Benton. |
My story is not too different from other moms who work full-time both in and out of the home. We all have unique challenges and real stresses. But the one that differentiates my life is that one of my children was born with serious medical complications. He struggles with daily functions such as breathing, eating, speech, and mobility. At nearly four years old, he breathes through a tracheostomy, is tube fed, and cannot stand, walk, or talk. He needs trained care 'round the clock. He has no diagnosis, which means we have no prognosis, so we celebrate life one day at a time. Our second son has so far been the poster child of good health, and we're so excited to see how each son will influence the other. It's a beautiful and humbling interaction to witness.
Due to my firstborn's congenital health issues, he was unable to breastfeed. Doctors didn't know what was wrong or how to "fix" him. I felt utterly helpless as a new mother. Giving him nourishment was the only thing I knew I could do that would give him strength. As such, I pumped every drop of food he ate (via a feeding tube) for his first year of life. That's a lot of pumping! My biggest challenge with both boys was/is continuing to pump after returning to work. It's difficult to squeeze "the squeeze" in between meetings and deadlines. And when you mix a high-stress job with caring for a special needs child with lack of sleep due to the newborn, your milk supply can really suffer!
I'm thrilled I found milkmakers to boost my milk supply. Eat a cookie? I'll get right on that! milkmakers taste divine, and they are so good for you and your baby. Does it get any better?!!
q+a
My babies have taught me
To take one day at a time and celebrate the small miracles in life.
Since becoming a mother
I take nothing for granted-not love, not success, not good health, not itty bitty toe No. 7.
My favorite children's music
John Nelson's "Soliloquy." John regularly visits Seattle Children's hospital to play for ICU patients -he walked into my son's room, sat by his bed, and played.
I wish someone would have told me
There isn't one way to parent. Be the best parent you can be and know that when you blunder, tomorrow's a new day.
Advice/wisdom that I can share
Your children will teach you more than you could ever teach them. Remember to look and listen for the lessons.
I enjoy most about breastfeeding
Whether pumping or breastfeeding, I have a sense of peaceful pride knowing I'm providing important nourishment to my child.
The best thing about being a mom
Watching my boys develop and grow, and knowing I had at least a little part in that.
The way I "treat" myself
I regularly cheat on my husband with two men: Ben and Jerry. Yes, ice cream is my elixir for most of what ails me.
send us your story and you could be featured next!
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Have you heard? Breast pumps are now tax deductible!
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Do you know a working "Super Mom" who does it all? Nominate her on our Facebook page by sharing her story and all the amazing things she does. You BOTH will be entered to win a free order of cookies!
 http://facebook.com/milkmakers
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