Breastfeeding is the best way to nourish your newborn. There are many benefits to it, including decreased risk of infections and long-term diseases for babies. But, if you work at the office, it can be challenging to find a balance between breastfeeding and work responsibilities. Good thing we have the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009. What does this law entail, and how will it help mommies continue breastfeeding even while at work?
Challenges of Breastfeeding When At Work
Breastfeeding is challenging on its own, even if you’re in the comfort of your home. What more if you’re outside, working in the office? Some of the challenges experienced by nursing mothers while working away from home are the following:
- Being uncomfortable when pumping in public, particularly when the people around them also do not appear to be comfortable when they are pumping.
- Time constraints. Most nursing moms follow a breastfeeding schedule, which is ideally the same schedule for pumping. This schedule may get in the way of other tasks in the office.
- Additional work. Pumping milk at work involves some processes, like cleaning the nipple and storing the milk, and pumping equipment. This means moms have to think of these things, too, on top of their workload.
The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009
The government acknowledges that it’s challenging for mothers to nurse while working. Hence, legislators push for the strict implementation of Republic Act 10028, otherwise known as The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act Of 2009.
The law stipulates that workplaces should “encourage, protect, and support the practice of breastfeeding and create an environment where the basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding.”
Under the law, a workplace or employer must:
- Have a proper lactation space or station with needed equipment, such as comfortable chairs, a table, outlet for breast pump, lavatory for handwashing (unless there’s a functional lavatory nearby), and refrigerator where moms can store pumped breast milk.
- Provide nursing mothers additional breaks on top of the regular time-offs to give them enough time to pump breast milk.
5 Tips for Breastfeeding Mothers Who Plan on Going Back to Work
The fact that the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 protects and supports breastfeeding in the office can serve as a great motivator for many mommies. To help you even further, you might want to consider the following tips:
1. Invest in a good pump
As you will have to bring the pump to work, it’s best to invest in a good, sturdy pump. Choosing the less expensive one may be appealing, but it might cost you even more if it wouldn’t last.
2. Establish a good milk supply during your maternity leave
While still on maternity leave, it’s best to establish a good milk supply. What would help is to nurse on demand initially and then at about week 3, start regularly pumping after each time you breastfeed your baby.
3. Stock up on milk in the freezer
Before going to work, try to stock up on milk and store them in the freezer. That way, when you’re back to work, you can rest easy knowing that your baby will have breast milk. Remember that stress can affect your milk supply.
4. Pump on schedule
At the office, pump in time with your baby’s schedule for feeding. However, don’t get stressed if you can’t follow the schedule to a tee. Remember that your breast milk supply will fluctuate.
5. Be mindful of your diet and drinks
At work, don’t forget to stay hydrated and to eat more protein as it is known to increase the milk supply.
Key Takeaways
The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 stipulates that workplaces must support and protect the practice of breastfeeding. By law, a workplace must have a functional lactation station and the employer must provide additional breaks for nursing mothers for when they need to pump milk.
Learn more about Breastfeeding here.
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