As a word of caution, it is important to accept that staying on top of your feeding/pumping schedule will certainly become more difficult as you spend more time away from home and away from your little one. We know how hectic work schedules can be, especially if you are just coming back from maternity leave (or quarantine). There are a lot of breastfeeding-related things to consider:

How do I build up a milk supply?
Will my baby take to a bottle?
When and where will I pump at work?
But don’t stress, we are going to cover all of these things here today!

1. Stockpile
   One of the first things we recommend doing to prepare for returning to work is to begin stocking up on your milk supply. We suggest you do this as soon as your supply becomes established (this occurs around 2-3 weeks postpartum). Having a stockpile of milk gives you a little bit of a safety net while you get used to trying to pump at work. The best time to pump for storing is between your baby’s feedings. You can safely store your breast milk in a standard refrigerator freezer for 3-6 months and a chest freezer for 6-12 months. Just make sure to store them in the back of the freezer and not in or near the door.

*Tip: Date all of your milk and use the oldest milk first. This is important for two reasons:

the quality of your milk will slowly degrade the longer it is frozen
the nutritional needs of your baby changes as they grow and the quality of your breast milk changes in order to meet those needs. Therefore, if you are feeding your 9-month-old breast milk you pumped when they were 2 months old they may not be getting all of the nutrition they need

2. Practice Bottle Feeding
   Get your baby used to taking a bottle as soon as possible (around 3 weeks old). To avoid confusion, it is best to have someone else bottle-feed the baby. This is a great chore for the non-breastfeeding parent! Have your partner bottle feed the baby 2-3 times a week. This will not only give them time to bond, but your baby will also develop familiarity with the different styles of feeding. We cannot stress this step enough. If your baby is not used to being bottle-fed, they may protest and refuse to eat when you are away. And that’s fun for no one.

*Tip: A great time to pump for your stockpile is when your baby is practicing bottle-feeding

3. Talk to your Boss
   To ease your transition back to work, discuss your needs with your boss or supervisor before you return. Let them know how often you will need to pump (on average you will need 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a day). Block off time on your calendar to pump so you don’t find yourself trapped in a meeting or forgetting because you are wrapped up in a project. Find out if there is a lactation room available or if you can arrange to use an empty office or conference room to pump. Do you need/have access to refrigeration facilities? If possible, arrange for a designated drawer or shelf space where you can store your milk. If you have your own office or workspace, ask if it is possible to arrange for a small refrigerator.
4. Practice with Designated “Work” Days
   Choose one day each week several weeks before your expected return to work and if possible (and safe), go to work, even for a few hours. This will be beneficial for several reasons: it will help your baby get comfortable with spending more time bottle-feeding
   it will give you the opportunity to work out any “bugs” in your action plan ahead of time rather than on the first day back where you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed with work – and emotions
   Preparing to go back to work while breastfeeding is a challenge. According to recent statistics, 66% of nursing mothers return to the workforce with the intention of pumping their breast milk. However, after the first few months, barely 13% continue. This sharp decline is because of a lack of flexibility in the workplace, tension amongst co-workers, and an increase in work-related stress. BUT, as we covered in this post, the best way to set yourself up for success is to prepare, prepare, prepare. Also, you have rights as a breastfeeding mother, which are clearly outlined by The United States Department of Labor.

The first year is very important in your baby’s development and if breastfeeding is part of your plan, eliminating as much stress as possible before you return to work will allow for greater chances of success!

The post Preparing to go Back to Work While Breastfeeding appeared first on Little Joys Zimbabwe.

Phase 1: Colostrum
Colostrum, otherwise known as “liquid gold,” is the precursor to your milk supply and produced for only 2-5 days postpartum. A nutritionally dense superfood for babies, colostrum contains white blood cells and immune-boosting support. Colostrum is high in protein but low in sugar and fat, making it easier for your newborn to digest. Colostrum is so beneficial to your newborn, you should make giving it to them a priority, even if you don’t plan to breastfeed.

Some women can produce colostrum throughout their pregnancy but don’t worry if you don’t notice any. Once the placenta is expelled from the uterus, hormonal shifts signal to the breasts that it’s time to start production. Colostrum is noticeably different from breast milk. It is thick, creamy, and typically gold/yellowish in color (but it can be clear). One thing you may notice is that you will produce far less colostrum than you will transitional or mature milk.

A feeding for your newborn will consist of about 1-1.5 teaspoons of colostrum. While this sounds like a dramatically small amount, your newborn’s stomach is quite small and does not begin to stretch until around day three. By this time, your baby will be capable of eating more per feeding, and, luckily, this is when your transitional milk will come in.

Phase 2: Transitional Milk
Typically, between days 3-6 postpartum, you will begin to produce “transitional” milk, the bridge between colostrum and mature milk. Your newborn is growing rapidly during the first few weeks of their life, and amazingly, your breast milk adapts to meet their changing needs. During the time of your transitional milk, your breasts are learning how much to supply based on how much your newborn is eating.

The content of your milk at this stage is changing, too. Compared to your colostrum, transitional milk has a higher content of fat and lactose (sugar), which helps give your baby energy. The protein content of your transitional milk changes, too. Casein and whey now play important roles in digestion and satiety. Whey proteins, which are rich in antibodies and remain liquid in your baby’s stomach. This makes them easily and quickly digestible. Casein protein, however, curdles when it mixes with the acid in your baby’s stomach, helping them feel fuller longer. If you begin to notice chunks in your baby’s spit-up, this is why.

Your breast milk changes the most during this transitional phase as your body learns how to match the changing needs of your growing newborn. By the end of your first month postpartum, your milk supply will transition into your mature milk.

Phase 3: Mature Milk
Your final stage of breast milk transition is your “mature” stage, typically reached by four weeks postpartum. At this point, your milk has made almost all of the changes and adaptations necessary to meet your growing baby’s needs. Your mature milk is especially effective at protecting your little one against bacteria. Perfect timing, too, as we’re sure you’re noticing your little one putting more objects into their mouth! Interestingly, your mature milk is so specifically suited for your unique baby, scientists are still having trouble fully understanding exactly which cells, antibodies, etc. breast milk is made of and how it works to protect babies. Amazing.

Mature milk is delivered to your baby during feedings in two stages: foremilk and hindmilk

Foremilk is the milk that comes out at the beginning of your feed. It is thinner, sweeter, and typically lower in fat.
Hindmilk is the milk that comes in gradually as your baby continues to feed. It is more nutritionally dense and higher in fat.
Your mature breast milk not only satiates your baby’s hunger, but it also helps build their gut bacteria, boost their immune system, and feeds their rapidly growing brain. On top of that, your mature breast milk contains stem cells and hormones that help build the foundation for your baby’s health throughout their entire life!!

The post Getting to Know the Three Phases of Breast Milk appeared first on Little Joys Zimbabwe.

What are Sleep Regressions?
Well, they are exactly what they sound like. A sleep regression occurs when an infant regresses from sleeping well to having trouble falling or staying asleep.

What Causes a Sleep Regression?
Remember those amazing developmental leaps we discussed last week (read part I and part II)? Yup. Those are why. Whether it’s learning a new skill or experiencing separation anxiety, developmental leaps are a major cause of sleep regressions in infants. It is possible for your little one to experience up to four regressions during their first year at four, six, eight, and twelve months. All are linked to developmental leaps.

Other reasons your little one may be experiencing sleep regressions are:

Changes in schedules – like starting daycare
Traveling
Illness
Teething
What are the Signs of a Sleep Regression?
Babies, like adults, can just have “off” nights when it comes to sleeping. Maybe their tummy is upset or there is a noise that keeps waking them. These nights are not considered regressions, especially if they only occur a night here and a night there. Sleep regressions are prolonged and last from 2-4 weeks. Here are signs of a sleep regression:

Crying when put down to bed
Trouble falling asleep
Frequent waking throughout the night
Short naps
Increased fussiness
Can you Prevent Sleep Regressions?
This is a very common question among parents. Unfortunately, no, you cannot avoid sleep regressions. This is because they are linked to cognitive and physical developments. However, the disposition of your child can affect how minimal or severe they are. You may also notice major differences in sleep regression severity from one of your children to the next. They truly are an individual experience.

How to Make it Through Sleep Regressions
Familiarizing yourself with when and why your little one experiences sleep regressions is key to getting through them. During these regressions, your little one needs extra love, understanding, and patience. So, here are a few things you can do to get through them in one piece:

Do not let your little one become overtired, be strict with nap and bedtimes
Shower them with extra daytime love and snuggles
Stick to your bedtime routine, or implement one if you haven’t already
Consider a sleep training program, we are always available to assist with this
Try some of these healthy sleep practices
Sleep regressions can be very trying experiences for even the most on-top-of-it parents. But being prepared, understanding the basics, and having an action plan will make them just a little easier to get through.

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