Feeding

Q. What do I do about my baby’s feeds after I return to work?

A. Decide how you want your baby to be fed.

If you are still breastfeeding and wish to continue, you should arrange for your caregiver to feed the baby your expressed breast milk while you are at work. You can then breastfeed your baby when you are at home.

You can express the milk into a sterile container, cover the container, label it with the date, and freeze it for later use. Breast milk can be frozen for up to 6 months without losing its nutritive value. For more information, please see Milk Expression on this site.

Having frozen milk on hand means you don’t have to express milk manually every day, which gives you greater freedom. It also provides security—even on days when you can’t produce milk, your baby will have a supply.

If your workplace is close enough, another alternative is to visit your baby for breastfeeding during the course of the day.

You may wish to introduce infant formula when you go back to work, or a follow-on formula if your baby is over 6 months old. Many caregivers prefer that you prepare bottles in advance, but you should discuss this when making your arrangements.

Whichever method you choose, you should get your baby used to the new routine before you return to work.

Q. What about solid feeds if my baby is already weaning?

A. Discuss the arrangements with your child’s caregiver. Some caregivers prefer that you provide the food every day, whereas others may be happy to cook for your child. This will be added to the fee. Day-care centers sometimes have a cook to prepare fresh meals. Keep informed about how your child has eaten during the day, so that you can be aware of any likes, dislikes, or possible allergies (eggs, nuts, etc.).