Milk Matters - Breastfeeding and the working mother

"I viewed a pamphlet about Milk Matters one day and I thought to myself wow can people actually do something like that.

My daughter was eight months old, I was breastfeeding and I thought to myself I have more than enough milk for my daughter so I might as well spare some for those small little angels."

Jacky R (breastmilk donor) - Claremont

"After giving birth to my teeny tiny son at 25 weeks 6 days, I expressed milk for him religiously as I wanted to be able to give him the best start that I could in his very early life.

I had soooo much milk! It felt great to know I had more than enough to feed him, but I knew I could afford to share it. So I contacted Milk Matters.

It felt so good to give my precious milk to other little babies just like my son. It has now been over a year & I still donate.

The gift of life is the most amazing gift one can give, and donating milk to feed tiny little fragile tummies makes me feel I am part of that gift of life for these precious little miracles."

Autumn (breastmilk donor) - Wetton

"I express and freeze my milk for donation as there is no better feeling than knowing we are helping other moms and babies."

Andrea (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

Milk Matters

Breastfeeding And The Working Mother

Returning to work is always a daunting thought, with finding a caregiver and how to continue feeding your baby usually being the most difficult choices to make. Here are some options:

Always keep in mind that your feeding option can be left until a few weeks before you go back to work. You could also start with option one and follow through to option four over a period of weeks or months once back at work.

Allow your baby's caregiver to spend plenty of time with your baby before you return and ensure that she fully understands how you want to continue feeding your baby.

Read about expressing, storing and use of breastmilk, breastpumps, and sterilising methods on the "expressing" page.

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