After maternity leave ends, most new mothers return to the workplace. Faced with experts' recommendations for "exclusive breastfeeding for six months," mothers inevitably feel anxious and confused. How can working mothers maintain breastfeeding?Let experts address your concerns one by one!
1. Can breastfeeding be maintained after returning to work?
In many major cities, workplaces are often far from home. While national regulations grant female employees two 30-minute breastfeeding breaks daily (totaling one hour) within the first year postpartum, many mothers adjust this to leaving work one hour earlier or arriving one hour later based on their circumstances.Even if you can't return home for direct breastfeeding at lunchtime, careful preparation allows you to maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Here are expert recommendations:
Prepare a breast pump in advance. During work hours, pump 1–2 times based on engorgement. Store expressed milk in bottles or breast milk storage bags in the refrigerator. After work, transport it home promptly using a portable cooler or insulated bag.Breast milk stored in the refrigerator's cold compartment can be used to feed your baby the following day.
A small number of mothers with very abundant milk supply can express extra milk when their baby is young and store it in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. It can typically be stored for 3-4 months. When the mother starts working and cannot directly breastfeed the baby, she can thaw it naturally in advance to feed the baby during the day.
Working mothers are advised to ensure at least three daily breastfeeding sessions: upon returning home from work, before bedtime, and after waking in the morning. This effectively stimulates sufficient milk production and helps prolong breastfeeding duration.
2. When should babies begin learning to use a bottle?
While we advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for six months, most working mothers have only 3–4 months of maternity leave.some mothers may face constraints preventing exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, some mothers experience a "temporary breastfeeding crisis" (temporary decrease in milk supply) around the time of returning to work, where the baby's daily breast milk intake may not meet their growth and development needs. In such cases, mixed feeding becomes necessary.
Combined feeding means using a bottle and selecting formula for the baby. Many mothers have heard that some babies only recognize their mother's nipple and refuse the bottle, while others, conversely, become reluctant to suckle at the breast after getting used to the bottle. Therefore, before returning to work, mothers should at least be aware of whether their baby is comfortable with bottle-feeding.
Of course, the vast majority of babies can accept both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. The two extreme cases mentioned above occur only in a small minority of babies. Therefore, mothers need not worry excessively or deliberately introduce the bottle too early. Some mothers, before returning to work, will express a bottle of milk in advance for when they are out and unable to breastfeed, allowing them to see if their baby can accept the bottle smoothly.
If you've exclusively breastfed without ever using a bottle, it's advisable to introduce bottle-feeding 1–2 weeks before returning to work. Start by offering expressed breast milk in a bottle, or use water or formula. At this stage, you can also try feeding a few spoonfuls of milk, especially when using formula. Spoon-feeding can provide a novel experience for the baby.
3. What to do if your baby refuses the bottle?
Beyond careful observation, mothers need to persistently try different approaches. Sometimes, a process of elimination is necessary to pinpoint why the baby rejects the bottle. Next, address the specific reason for refusal with corresponding strategies.
For babies rejecting bottle nipples:
Choose nipples resembling the mother's nipple in shape, size, and texture, with a flow rate matching the baby's age and sucking ability;
Rinse the nipple with warm water before feeding to make it feel more like the mother's nipple;
Consider feeding breast milk via bottle or applying breast milk to the nipple to foster familiarity;
Avoid placing the nipple directly into the baby's mouth—instead, position it near the lips and allow the baby to seek it out and take it voluntarily;
Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle and gently place it in the baby's mouth. Experiment with different feeding positions to ensure comfort.For babies who reject the taste of formula:
Initially, mix prepared formula with some breast milk. Once the baby adapts, gradually reduce the breast milk until feeding at normal formula concentration.
Avoid mixing formula with breast milk, diluting formula long-term, or regularly combining breast milk and formula.Note: Do not use breast milk to dilute formula, avoid long-term dilution of formula, or consistently mix breast milk and formula. Try switching to a different formula brand, but avoid frequent changes or excessive amounts at once. If the baby shows signs of formula allergy or lactose intolerance, choose a specialized formula.For babies psychologically attached to their mother's breast, consider these approaches:
Have a family member other than the mother feed the baby to prevent refusal due to the mother's scent;
When bottle-feeding, wrap the baby in the mother's clothing to allow the familiar scent to reduce the baby's aversion to the bottle;
Before and after work, mothers should spend ample time with their babies, engaging in bonding activities to ensure the baby feels loved and secure. Caregivers during the day should also comfort the baby frequently, helping reduce excessive attachment to the mother's breast through a pleasant atmosphere. Finally, it's important to remind mothers that some babies may still struggle to accept bottle-feeding despite trying these methods.Mothers need not be overly anxious or distressed, as these babies can still thrive and develop well. Some mothers have adopted the suggestion of "letting the baby skip a meal or two" to encourage bottle acceptance. While this approach is valid and effective for some infants, the reality is that few parents can bear to let their baby go hungry.
After 6 months, when babies begin solid foods, some of their nutritional needs can be met through these new foods. While striving to extend breastfeeding and ensure sufficient milk supply, you can also gradually introduce cup feeding (using a sippy cup). Trust yourself and your baby, and be patient!
4. Should I avoid my baby before returning to work?
It depends on the situation.If other family members have been involved in the baby's care since birth, the baby will typically adapt quickly to the mother's return to work. They are likely to form an attachment with the primary caregiver (grandmother or maternal grandmother) besides the mother, making daytime care by the elderly smoother. If a new caregiver will take over after the mother returns to work, it's best to allow the baby to adjust to the new routine and feeding methods one to several weeks in advance.At this stage, the mother doesn't need to deliberately avoid the baby. She can collaborate with the new caregiver to share responsibilities and jointly care for the baby, ensuring the baby doesn't perceive a major disruption to their environment.
If the baby previously showed clear attachment to the mother and refused the bottle during bottle-feeding attempts, it's necessary for the mother to temporarily stay out of the baby's sight when reintroducing bottle-feeding.Trust your baby's adaptability. As their cognitive abilities develop, they will understand that even if they cannot breastfeed during the day, mom will return to them at night. 5. How should mothers express milk after returning to work? Preparation before expressing: Before going to work, prepare a clean breast pump, 1-2 sterilized bottles or dedicated breast milk storage containers (bags), ice packs, and an insulated bag. Wash your hands thoroughly before expressing.Pumping methods and timing: Use either a manual or electric pump, or express milk manually by squeezing the breast from the outer edges toward the center. Pump when you feel engorged. Mothers who have established a good feeding rhythm with their baby often feel engorged and pump around the usual feeding times. After returning to work, pump based on your milk supply—either once in the morning and once in the afternoon, or just once at lunchtime.Aim to empty both breasts during each pumping session until they feel soft, which usually takes 10–20 minutes. Mothers preparing to wean need not empty breasts completely; simply pump until breasts soften and discomfort subsides.