EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE!

Dear Working Mums, you can achieve 6 months exclusive breastfeeding for your little ones!

INTRODUCTION:

Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. The World Health Organisation advices that infants should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives. No other food or fluid (including water) is necessary during this period as the breast milk itself contains more than 80% of water.

The benefits of exclusively breastfeeding your baby within the first six months are priceless for both the child and the mother. For example, breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Furthermore, women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers and it may be a method of family planning for some women.

In Nigeria, most organisations grant their female employees three months maternity leave to enable them take care of themselves post-delivery and their little ones. It is strongly advised that you continue exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the next three months after returning to work...

I will lying if I told you it was ''easy breezy''. Some days were really bad and frustrating. I found out that big boobs did not equal big milk. I will express to no avail! I almost called it quits. Some nights, I could not sleep more than an hour at a time, because I knew that if I did not have enough milk for my baby by morning, I would have no choice but to give formula. The thought alone was heartbreaking, so I'ld drink more water, try to get some more rest and pump again.

The following tips will help you to achieve this:

1. Prepare Early – During your maternity leave, you should monitor the eating pattern as well as daily consumption of your little one. The best way to do this is to introduce your child to expressed breastmilk in a cup (with a lid) once he/she is about 6 weeks old to ensure your baby is acquainted with feeding from a cup. For instance, if you express 120mls (i.e. approximately 4 ounces) of breastmilk in a cup, and your little one finishes it at once and eats every two hours, if you would be away from your little one for twelve hours in a day (when you resume work), you will require 6 cups of 120mls of breastmilk. So, you will need to get cups with lids, a sterilising unit, ice packs and/or a breast pump (manual or electric). I also advice that you can hand-express the milk without a breast pump, and if you have a good flow of milk, you will achieve the same result as with a breast pump.

2. Maintain a good breastmilk flow – A good way to maintain a good supply of breastmilk is to constantly demand more. Think of the basic rule of demand and supply…the more you demand, the more it supplies! During your maternity leave, let your baby suck on each breast for at least thirty minutes at a time, this way, you produce more milk for your little one’s consumption. You can also express breastmilk at regular intervals when your little one is not sucking but you have full breasts. Also, take lots of fluids – the recommendation is at least four litres of water per day. Eat vegetables and other breastmilk producing foods like lean meat and poultry, oatmeal, vegetables, pap, coconut etc. Some people eat lactation cookies which are prepared specially for increased milk production in breastfeeding women, you may take these too. May I also add that a proper sleep/rest can increase your milk flow so…sleep!

3. A great support system – It may be your mum or sister or trusted friend, or a creche, or a stay at home nanny, the truth is that you need a village to raise your little one once you resume so you can focus on work! Therefore, ask for help early enough and prepare yourself and your support system for the times ahead. I recommend a two-weeks mock trial prior to your resumption so that each person understands their role. So that while you are at work delivering on your functions, your little one is still getting the required attention, food and nutrients, as if you are there! This way, your mind is settled, and you are productive at work!

4.  Express milk at your earliest convenience – Once you get back to work, you will have to wake up earlier than usual every workday to express some milk for your baby. It is not also out of place to notice that you have a full breast at mid-day, this is for obvious reasons, as your baby has not sucked on it for a while, ensure you come to the office with sterilised cups and use your lunch break to express some milk for later. That way, you would have reduced the number of cups you may need to express at the close of work (or at home) for your baby’s consumption for the next day. Also, stash your expressed milk in an ice pack and ensure that you always maintain the same temperature to avoid feeding your baby spoilt milk. Ensure you defrost breastmilk in tepid water and stir gently (do not shake) before feeding your baby.

With these, we can achieve a healthier generation.

I hope you practice these tips and give your work and your baby the best of you!

Kind regards,

Barbara