My gorgeous little girl was only 4 months old when I was faced with a tough decision. I was offered a freelance job that I had dreamed about for many years. Do I take it and follow my passion or stay at home full-time with my baby?
Obviously I couldn't work full-time, but I asked if they would accept me as a freelance and they said YES. This was a dream come true - Maybe I would have it all .... until I came up against another hurdle. How am I going to keep breastfeeding? couldn't exactly take her to work and I certainly wasn't ready to give it up.
THE BREAST PUMP! I love these things and i'm not even sure how women coped without the in the past. There are a few different kinds on the market, including a manual one and an electric one. Seriously, find the money for the electric one - you will NOT be sorry! If your hubby tries to talk you into the cheaper one like mine did, then ask him how many hours is he going to sit with you to pum out 30mils? That usually shuts them up!
PRACTICE PUMPING:- Get practicing even before you go to work. The more time you have the better. I started about 2 weeks before and it helped my daughter get used to having a bottle instead of a nipple, without me stressing. There's nothing worse than trying to start a new job or going back to work, when your head is still at home worrying about your bub.
STOCK THE FREEZER:- Milk supply varies greatly between women, which is one of the reasons I suggest practicing for a few weeks prior, but even if you don't have much you can help your body produce more. Just read the instructions on the pump. Anyway, once you start producing more than you need it's a good idea to get some spare bottles, containers or resealable plastic bags and start stocking up. This way there's always enough supply and you won't be stressed out thinking - "Is there enough milk for the baby today?"
APPROACH THE BOSS:- This can be uncomfortable sometimes, but a necessary step to make sure you're all on the same page. You need to explain to them honestly how many times a day you will need to go and express, how long it's going to take and ask for a private area that's comfortable. If he says go to the toilet, explain that milk production depends on factors such as emotions, so if you're uncomfortable stuck in some cubicle then it's going to take a long time and not exactly make your return to work a smooth transition. If you are happier while you are able to express milk and keep your baby happy then you'll also be a happier and more productive person at work!
WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:- This is important because if you're trying to get your breasts out efficiently at work so you can express, then you want to make this really easy. Also make sure you put BREAST PADS on each day! I forgot one day, but luckily I was wearing a few black layers of clothes and I could clean up quickly and stuffed some tissues down there.
MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY!:- I went back to work with an attitude hoping this would work out smoothly for all parties involved ... me, my baby and my workplace. But then again, if it didn't no big deal. If you find that your baby is not settling well to you being away for long periods of time or it doesn't like the bottle then don't stress yourselves out. Take a break and try again in a month or so. Maybe find a job that's a bit more flexible to your family set-up. Working from home or shorter hours could be a better option.
After a few weeks my little girl was coping great and the breast pump had become my best friend, but overall I just wasn't ready to give up the joys of being a full-time mum to deal with all the petty office politics and pressure that came with the job. I ended up starting my own home business and now I set my own hours and still spend all my time with my precious little baby .... I love it!
Obviously I couldn't work full-time, but I asked if they would accept me as a freelance and they said YES. This was a dream come true - Maybe I would have it all .... until I came up against another hurdle. How am I going to keep breastfeeding? couldn't exactly take her to work and I certainly wasn't ready to give it up.
THE BREAST PUMP! I love these things and i'm not even sure how women coped without the in the past. There are a few different kinds on the market, including a manual one and an electric one. Seriously, find the money for the electric one - you will NOT be sorry! If your hubby tries to talk you into the cheaper one like mine did, then ask him how many hours is he going to sit with you to pum out 30mils? That usually shuts them up!
PRACTICE PUMPING:- Get practicing even before you go to work. The more time you have the better. I started about 2 weeks before and it helped my daughter get used to having a bottle instead of a nipple, without me stressing. There's nothing worse than trying to start a new job or going back to work, when your head is still at home worrying about your bub.
STOCK THE FREEZER:- Milk supply varies greatly between women, which is one of the reasons I suggest practicing for a few weeks prior, but even if you don't have much you can help your body produce more. Just read the instructions on the pump. Anyway, once you start producing more than you need it's a good idea to get some spare bottles, containers or resealable plastic bags and start stocking up. This way there's always enough supply and you won't be stressed out thinking - "Is there enough milk for the baby today?"
APPROACH THE BOSS:- This can be uncomfortable sometimes, but a necessary step to make sure you're all on the same page. You need to explain to them honestly how many times a day you will need to go and express, how long it's going to take and ask for a private area that's comfortable. If he says go to the toilet, explain that milk production depends on factors such as emotions, so if you're uncomfortable stuck in some cubicle then it's going to take a long time and not exactly make your return to work a smooth transition. If you are happier while you are able to express milk and keep your baby happy then you'll also be a happier and more productive person at work!
WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:- This is important because if you're trying to get your breasts out efficiently at work so you can express, then you want to make this really easy. Also make sure you put BREAST PADS on each day! I forgot one day, but luckily I was wearing a few black layers of clothes and I could clean up quickly and stuffed some tissues down there.
MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY!:- I went back to work with an attitude hoping this would work out smoothly for all parties involved ... me, my baby and my workplace. But then again, if it didn't no big deal. If you find that your baby is not settling well to you being away for long periods of time or it doesn't like the bottle then don't stress yourselves out. Take a break and try again in a month or so. Maybe find a job that's a bit more flexible to your family set-up. Working from home or shorter hours could be a better option.
After a few weeks my little girl was coping great and the breast pump had become my best friend, but overall I just wasn't ready to give up the joys of being a full-time mum to deal with all the petty office politics and pressure that came with the job. I ended up starting my own home business and now I set my own hours and still spend all my time with my precious little baby .... I love it!
About the Author:
Tracey Dornelles is a full-time mum and founder of Mums Mean Business " an online company designed to help mums create their own home business in the personal development industry.
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