Answer
Pam, first and foremost - Relax. When breast-feeding a baby, excess anxiety
can have an adverse effect on your milk production, so start now with a
positive, relaxed attitude. Let's focus on the pluses you have that will
help you succeed:
Research shows that one
of the biggest influences on successful breast-feeding is a supportive
partner. Congratulations, you have one. Capitalize on that and try to
organize your life around his willingness to encourage breast-feeding
by letting him do all the things you can't do while feeding, ie.,
cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. You may be a little tired but I have
had airline stewardesses return to work and continue to breast-feed for
a year.
Always try to feed the
baby on demand when possible. Talk to your teachers in advance and see
if they will allow you to bring the baby to any of your classes with
you. If you cannot take the baby to class, feed the baby frequently and
on demand when at home. Pump after feeding and store milk in the
freezer for up to two months or in the refrigerator for 24 hours. You
will usually find pumping after the first feeding in the morning
produces more milk. The Medela breast pump is very good and is
adaptable to an electric pump. You can rent or purchase electric pumps
from some lactation consultants or pharmacies and sometimes your
insurance may pay for this service.
When heating breast milk
before feeding, run the bottle under hot water, do not microwave. While
at school you can pump and carry the milk you have pumped in a small
lunch cooler with a freezer pack. It does not have to be immediately
frozen.
Keep in mind that if you
do need to use some formula at some time that in the US, the WIC
program provides formula and some foods to pregnant women, mothers and
infants, and if you are on a limited income you may qualify. Check with
your local public health department for information on the WIC (Women,
Infant, and Children supplemental food program).
Good written resources
for help while breast-feeding and working is "The Working Woman's Guide
to Breastfeeding" by Nancy Dana & Anne Price, "The
Nursing Mother's Companion" by Kathleen Huggins, and "Breast-feeding
and the Working Mother" by Diane Mason and Diane Ingersoll.
Be confident, Pam. You
can do it. There are good resources within your community. Ask your
provider about local La Leche League meetings and if there is a
lactation consultant or lactation classes at the hospital where you
will be delivering.
You can do this. It is a
wonderful experience not to be missed, even if you can only feed for a
short time. It is also okay to combine breast-feeding and
bottle-feeding to meet both your and your infants needs. Good
luck.
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