"I wanted to donate milk as I work in a hospital with a neonatal ICU and have hands on expereince with prem babies. I have seen how expressed breastmilk really makes a difference to them. I was only too thrilled to be able to make that difference to other babies."
Chloe - Wynberg (breastmilk donor)
"It is a wonderful feeling to know that I have not only given my babies a healthy start in life, but I have played a small part in helping others too."
Nicolette K (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town
" I was told of the milk bank and immediately decided this was a brilliant idea and started donating my extra breastmilk."
Andi (breastmilk donor) - Dieprivier
"Being a Milk Donor was something that had never crossed my mind pre motherhood.
I learned that my excess milk could save premature babies lives. Babies not as fortunate as mine could have an abundant supply of breast milk.
I just thought: what a blessing, what an opportunity. I could help save a life."
Terri (breastmilk donor) Green Point
Breastfeeding And The Working Mother
- Continue Breastfeeding
- Continue Breastfeeding And Expressing
- Continue Breastfeeding, Expressing And /Or Using Formula Feeds
- Weaning onto Formula
Continue Breastfeeding, Expressing And / Or Using Formula Feeds
NB. Mixed feeding as described here is not ideal but some breastfeeding is preferable to none. Mixed feeding can only be practiced safely in the absence of HIV infection.
Perhaps expressing at work does not suit your particular circumstances. Your third option offers a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding. (Take note that cow's milk is not suitable for babies under the age of 1 year. It is also imperative that the formula is strictly made up according to the instructions on the tin).
Continue to breastfeed your baby before leaving for work in the morning, while relaxing after work, at least once during the night (depending on your baby's age) and over weekends.
Express, what you can and when you can, at work. The younger your baby the more important expressing during the day would be to maintain your milk supply.
From three or four months onwards your milk supply may be well enough established and you could start to express less frequently during your working day.
Store this expressed milk in a cool place for use the next day. Avoid mixing expressed and formula milk in the same feed. Your baby could drink a suitable formula feed for the remaining feeds while you are at work.
A baby over 6 months, who is eating three solid meals, is likely to need only one milk feed while you are at work. It is however important to breastfeed when at home in order to maintain your milk supply.
Over weekends offer breast only as this will help build up your milk supply for the coming week.
