When you make arrangements with your employer, explain that you will be breastfeeding, rather than asking permission. Please read the law as it pertains to breastfeeding at the workplace.
Section 7 (r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act – Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision
Effective March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amended the FSLS to require employers to provide a nursing mother reasonable break time to express breast milk after the birth of her child. The amendment also requires employers provide a place for an employee to express breast milk.
Section 7 of the Fair Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207) is amended by adding at the end of the following:
(r)(1) An employer shall provide A. a reasonable break time for an employee to express milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk; and B. a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be by an employee to express breast milk.
(2) An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time under paragraph (1) for any work time spent for such purpose.
(3) An employer that employs less than 50 employees shall not be subject to the requirements of this subsection, if such requirements would impose an undue hardship by causing the employer significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s business.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall preempt a State law that provides greater protections to employees than the protections provided for under this subsection.
This is just a brief guide on nursing. The midwives and nurses here are great resources as well as our staff lactation consultant. Please call for help if you are having any problems or have any concerns.
Parents have always combined work and breastfeeding – you can too! Take at least six weeks to focus on your baby and breastfeeding, if you can. The longer you delay going back to work, the easier it will be for both of you.
Timing
If you have a Monday through Friday work schedule, try to resume work on a Thursday and take the next two Wednesdays off, if you can. That way, you’ll work no more than two days in a row while you both adjust.
Expressing Your Milk
Can you nurse the baby on your lunch hour or break? Can the baby be brought to you by the sitter or by someone else? Would you rather have two shorter breaks or one long lunch hour? To supply all your baby’s needs, you’ll probably need to express your milk at least two times during a full work day.
Some people like to pump first thing in the morning so they already have one bottle. As your baby gets older, they may prefer just waiting for you.
Most babies will want to nurse more at night to make up for missing you during the day, so use naps or an earlier bedtime to meet your own sleep needs.
Does your baby seem to need more and more milk while you’re gone? Look first for ways to slow meals down; baby is probably looking for more sucking time, not more calories.
Stay flexible, and take your baby’s changing patterns into account.
General guidelines for storing pumped milk:
• Pumped milk should be placed in the refrigerator or cooler as soon as possible
• Pumped milk at work can be placed on blue ice and stored like that for up to 24 hours.
• Fresh milk can remain at room temperature 6-10 hours
• Refrigerated fresh milk (not stored on door) is good for 7 days
• Thawed milk can be refrigerated for 24 hours
• Frozen milk can be stored for 3-6 months
• If frozen, thaw slowly. If you can, plan to take it from freezer to fridge for 12+ hours
• Alternatively, thaw under warm running water
• To heat, place thawed milk in a mug of warmed water or use warmer, and gently swirl milk.
• Always check temperature before giving to baby
• Milk not finished at one feeding can be refrigerated and used at the next feeding, then discarded.
©2008 Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC www.normalfed.com
Edited by Cheryl Bradshaw BSN, RN, IBCLC