To those who breastfed exclusively and were working, how did you manage? I’m at my second week back to work and I’m still wondering how to go about it. I pump in the morning and in the evening when I get back home. I’ve heard that staying for around 6 hours without pumping or baby sucking will lead to milk eventually not coming out, which is a depressing thought. So I’m wondering if I’ll manage for the next 3 months. Please share tips on how you managed.
Esther Kimani Staff
Firstly, it is important for mums to start expressing milk as early as 10 days after birth. This allows you to build stock for the time when you go back to work. This will help you to be able to keep up with the baby’s demand after. However, if you had not done this, do not despair, you can still manage to keep up.
Breast milk flow works on the rules of supply and demand. To be able to keep up supply you will need to simulate like you are still feeding your baby by emptying your breast at least every four hours. You can come up with a schedule where you express in the morning and once again in the afternoon. When you get home, give your baby one breast and express the other. You can also wake up a bit earlier and express before you leave for work. Keep this schedule up even during the weekends. You will find that your supply will not dwindle. But herbal teas do keep you hydrated in the office like fennel, hibiscus, moringa that also help with milk supply. It is a lot of hard work and commitment but the benefits to your baby outweigh all these.
