Milk Matters - Breastfeeding and the working mother

“I am a registered midwife and nursing sister. I have worked at the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa for the last 18 years.

My son Ashton was delivered by emergency caesarean section at Groote Schuur Hospital. I was only 6months and 4 days pregnancy. Both our lives were in danger and Ashton weighing 990 grams was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Knowing all the complications that could occur to my child was extremely stressful and emotional. This impacted on my ability to produce breast milk for my son.

I knew how important breast milk was and I knew giving formula was not even an option. Providing these babies with breast milk is the single most effective way of preventing life-threatening complications. Fortunately donor breastmilk was available so thankfully Ashton was given the start he deserved.

Ashton is now 5 years old and is a normal, typical boy of his age. Ashton is an example of the miracle of milk, love and prayers.

I will forever be indebted and thankful to all the mothers who donated breast milk to Ashton."

Lucile (Recipeint baby's mother & Neonatal ICU sister) - Cape Town

"It cost me nothing and took just a bit of my time. More importantly, I was saving a life, a little baby's life."

Helen P (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town

"There are 2 broad reasons why I have decided to donate breastmilk:

Firstly as a doctor working in the NICU I have seen how our babies benefit from receiving breastmilk only. How often we have seen disastrous consequences when an immature gut has been exposed to formula.

Secondly, as a mom I was blessed with 2 healthy babies who I have managed to exclusively breastfeed. I realise how challenging it can be to breastfeed, even in my ideal circumstances, and hope that by providing milk for other babies I can improve not only their survival, but their quality of life."

Candice - doctor in a neonatal ICU & breastmilk donor - Mowbray

"It was a very rewarding experience knowing that I could make such a difference."

Tracy (breastmilk donor) - Devil's Peak

Milk Matters

Breastfeeding And The Working Mother

Weaning onto Formula

Should you decide to wean your baby before returning to work, you need only start the weaning process a week or two before hand.

Where possible avoid using medication to suppress your milk supply. The gradual weaning method is preferable for both mom and baby. You would start by substituting let's say, the mid-morning feed with a formula feed.

Three or four days later your breasts should no longer feel uncomfortable at this time. The time is then right to substitute for example, your late afternoon breastfeed with formula. Next could be the,mid-morning followed by the night time, then the early morning feeds.

One of the advantages of this weaning method is that you have the option of stopping or delaying the weaning process at any stage.

You could for instance keep the evening and, or the early morning feeds as breastfeeds while your baby has formula during the day.

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