Lactation/Breastfeeding
General Resources
This site (and its corresponding social media resources) was developed by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting (though she is somewhat biased towards breastfeeding). The site has a wealth of knowledge to help you or your partner prepare for breastfeeding and to help you throughout your lactation journey. She has articles on just about anything you can think of related to breastfeeding, pumping, and parenting!
La Leche League has information on their website, group meetings for support (including one in the evenings once a month), and other resources to help parents breastfeed successfully.
Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple - Nancy Mohrbacher
Nancy Morhbacher is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who has written a number of books on breastfeeding. I found this resource particularly helpful because it specifically shares information related to working mothers. I read it cover to cover before giving birth and referred back to it for months to come after my baby was born.
Working Moms Who Make Breastfeeding Work
Of all of the Facebook groups I've joined for breastfeeding support, this group is my personal favorite. The moms on it are down to earth, full of practical tips, and encouraging throughout your breastfeeding journey. I encourage you and/or your partner to join!
Tips & Advice
This helpful resource page on the HR website describes USF's lactation policy and how to get started using lactation rooms while at work.
Here are some other suggestions from one mom to another to make pumping easier (or at least manageable!):
- Order your breastpump and pumping parts and get it set up before you give birth. Depending how the first week goes, you might find an occasion (I did!) where it is helpful for you to pump to supplement / boost your supply so it is nice to have it at the ready!
- Locate (or hire) a lactation consultant beforehand (ideally an IBCLC) to have available if you need help - almost everyone has questions come up & it is nice to have support beyond that available at the hospital. Some postpartum doulas are also lactation consultants (we used Melitta Hoder), and I believe some stores like DayOne Baby or Natural Resources or CPMC Newborn Connections might have them accessible).
- After about 4-6 weeks, try to start pumping a little on maternity leave and building up a freezer stash to help give you a little wiggle room once you return to work. This will also help to start getting your baby used to a bottle.
- Get a hands-free expression bra. That way, you can actually do things while you pump (keyboard, read, play Nintendo DS).
- Bring a towel to put on your lap - milk has tendency to spill everywhere. A change of clothes could be good too just in case.
- If at all possible, try to pump at least three times / day to keep your supply up.
- Don't be tricked into sending too much milk - your baby might not need as much milk as you think while you are work. This site has a handy calculator to help calculate what he/she might need.
- Eat a piece of chocolate or Oreos while you pump. It helps with let-down. And tastes yummy!
For reference, here are the Minimum Requirements for the California Lactation Accommodation Law.
New in 2013: the Affordable Care Act requires most insurance (including USF's Anthem Blue Cross - not sure about Kaiser) to pay for a pump for new mothers for each child. You can order through a medical supply company who will bill your insurance or buy it at a retail store and get reimbursed. Reimbursement takes 6-8 weeks per Anthem. I ordered mine through edgepark.com. It was very easy and arrived within a few days of ordering. There are other companies you can use - check your insurers website for eligible "Medical Supplies" or "DME" providers.