Many types of breast pumps are available including single electric or manual pumps that are easy to use, cost effective and portable. Twin electronic breast pumps stimulate both breasts at once, which may save time by improving milk production.
About 2 weeks before returning to work the mother should practice the planned pumping schedule in the less stressful home environment. If she plans to pump breast milk she should practise in order to develop the quickest and most successful technique.
The mother should also become familiar with pumping and storage methods and how to sterilise equipment. At this point the mother should begin stockpiling stored milk.
The mother also needs to understand that milk is produced in a positive feedback loop: the more milk that is expressed, and the emptier the breast is, the more that is produced. A mother can therefore ‘create’ a milk supply by emptying her breasts more frequently.
About video: Returning to work doesn't mean you need to stop breastfeeding. Learn more about how to maintain your breastfeeding routine at work in this video.
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