Can I Continue to Breastfeed my Baby when I’m Back from Work?

This is a common question in the mind of new moms who are planning to resume work after maternity leave or starting a job after a long break of pregnancy and childbirth.Can I breastfeed my baby when I’m back from work?

Benefits of breast feeding

Continuing to breastfeed after returning to work is a real labor of love, but it is well worth the effort too. It is a big challenge to the nursing mom and the caretaker of the baby when mom is out to work. The nursing mom has to be committed to make this happen. No, it isn’t easy, and requires a great deal of commitment and work on your part. Only you can provide the best possible nourishment for your baby. Baby also goes through a transition phase. There are plenty of benefits by breastfeeding.

• The physiological benefits are baby has higher immunity and lesser illnesses.
•  The financial benefits of breast feeding are less cost towards formula milk , fewer doctor visits .
• The psychological benefits are the closeness, bonding and skin- to- skin nurturing that only a mother can provide.

Managing change

If your work demands you to be away from the baby for long durations then you need to attempt weaning at least 10 days in advance. The change to formula milk has to be made and associated affects to be monitored.  Baby may have indigestion problem or have watery stools due to lactose allergy. Watch out for baby’s overall health. You can then confirm that baby has adjusted to feed, bottle and nipple etc.

How long can I feed the baby?

You can continue breast feed baby till 2 years if you have sufficient quantity and your health is maintained. Breast milk has anti-infective properties. Breast milk is made from nutrients in the mother’s bloodstream and bodily stores. Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development.

Good hygiene practices to be followed

It is essential that breastfeeding mothers practice good hygiene. Nursing mothers should take a shower, change clothes and then feed the baby. The background of work, the exposure to pollution externally can affect the baby’s health.  At a minimum clean your breasts with a moisturizing soap and rinse well. This has two benefits the smell goes away and the nipples remain soft. There are natural oils secreted during lactation through the Montgomery Glands (little bumps visible on the areola), which prevent bacteria from breeding. To avoid disrupting the glands gently wash the breast. Take away little milk from both breasts and then feed the baby. This way the retained milk is removed and hind milk is fed.

Switch over the baby to the other breast to avoid differ in size and pain in the other breasts due to stagnation of milk. Your milk supply may vary daily. To maximize your milk flow, try to pump at the same time each day.

To avoid leakage of milk at work place nursing pads ( thick cotton pads inside bra). If you feel your milk letting down, cross your arms across your chest and apply pressure for about ten seconds or so. Wear darker clothes or prints to avoid leakage seen. Pump milk out in between breaks to avoid heaviness and pain in breasts.

If you have to carry the baby out and you are afraid then use the baby carrier kit.

Health caution

Stress and fatigue are major reasons to suppress milk production. Stay calm and relaxed.  And remember, you’re still a nursing mom, so eat well and drink plenty of water while at work.

Keep in mind that the hormonal changes can affect your moods. Expect to feel all manner of emotions. Weaning is a psychological experience as well as physical. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is that you are feeling.

Do not pump the breasts until they are empty when you are decreasing your feeding sessions. Doing so will trigger the body to replenish the milk. Instead, drain a little bit of milk from the breast to prevent the breast from becoming engorged. Do this as often as needed if the breasts become too full. A warm shower can assist with allowing the milk to leak out a bit.

Consult a doctor if pain persists . Discuss with your colleagues who are having kids. They will be able to guide you on how to care for the baby and manage with the change. You may get some wonderful tips. Visit information on Internet and verify in case you have a doubt.

You are going thru’ several changes at your workplace after a short leave duration. You may have a new assignment  to take care of. Do not hesitate. You can make this transition happen smoothly.

Worm Infection Damages Immune System and Affects Baby’s Growth

Worm infections can be serious for babies as the worms will consume all the essential nutrients and vitamins in their bodies. Symptoms of Worm infections are not seen immediately or are at times overlooked. Worm infections can lead to malnutrition, low weight and anemia. Such young children will fall sick often as the immune systems are damaged and the baby’s growth gets affected.

The different type of worms that are normally infested in babies are: Threadworms / Pinworms, Roundworms, Hookworm, Tapeworms and Whipworms. Ringworm is also mentioned in the same lines but these lead to fungal infection of the skin.

Symptoms of a worm infection:

• loss of appetite due to the pain or discomfort in the tummy
• trouble sleeping, because of the itchiness
• itching or pain around the anus, where the worms entered – this is true particularly for thread or pin worms.
• anemia
• a rash
• nausea
• constant coughs
• painful and frequent urination due to urinary tract infection ( more common in girls)
• blood in the stool
• vomiting – this is rare but children can vomit out round worms.
• diarrhea

How will baby get worms infection:

Babies can get worms from the following sources:

1)    Infected soil

This is the most common way children get worms, as worms thrive in any soil that is dirty and damp. Children can get infected from walking barefoot on infected soil, from unclean hands or from food.

2) Infected water

Some types of worms breed in water. Playing, bathing and swimming in standing waters like lakes, dams and puddles, or drinking and eating food contaminated by the water, can cause a worm infection. These days with severe water shortages the source and environmental conditions of water being procured is not known.

Children tend to be affected the most as their immune systems are weaker than those of adults.

3) Infected food or Undercooked food
Worm eggs stay on plants and vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed. We can get infected by eating these vegetables. Animals that live along water areas, such as fish and cattle, can also be sick. So meat and fish that are raw, or not well cooked, can carry worms and infections.

4) Contact with an infected person
If someone your baby is in contact with has worms, they can pass the infection on to your baby if they do not have proper hygiene. Worm eggs can remain under fingernails or on badly washed hands and can pass on from there to your baby’s toys or directly into her mouth.

How serious are worm infections? Will worm infection affect my baby’s growth?

Worm infections can lead to malnutrition, low weight and anemia. Such young children will often fall sick as the immune systems are damaged and the baby’s growth gets affected.

Roundworm infections can be serious. If the worms aren’t treated, they can migrate to the lungs or to the liver, where they can damage these vital organs.

The worm infection also harms infected children’s future physical and intellectual development especially if it results in iron deficiency anemia. Fortunately, timely treatment can prevent this.

Role of parents in avoiding worm infection:

Parents have a major role to safeguard child from worm infections. The oral intake is the major contributing factor for worms. The food should be cooked adequately and avoid children playing in damp soil.

• Follow good sanitation program at home and ensure your surroundings are also maintained.
• Teach your children good hygiene practices to protect them from worm infections.
• Consume filtered water or pre boiled  water.
• Identify the symptoms and consult a Pediatrician for further diagnosis. Doctor examines baby and recommends as per status. ( Stool test is commonly done to identify the type of worm infection.)
• Maintain short nails and make sure baby is not putting fingers into his mouth.
• Disinfect clothes, nappies to avoid re-occurrence of worm infection.
• Once the baby is over 2 years you can maintain a schedule and de-worm baby once every six months.

To avoid itchiness application of baby oil on the anus will be relieving for the baby. Be alert to identify the symptoms and adopt Healthy hygiene practices to make sure your baby is bubbly and is not affected by worm infection which affects baby’s growth.