Going back to work after having a baby can be a difficult transition for many parents. This is especially true for those breastfeeding as they need to also find time to pump. Getting back to work while breastfeeding can be difficult, but as a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, you can help ease this transition for your clients.
Going Back to Work While Breastfeeding – The Role of Certified Breastfeeding Counselors:
As a Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBC), you are trained and specialize in providing education, support, and assistance to lactating parents. Your extensive training and knowledge about lactation can be invaluable for parents returning to work.
For parents returning to work, you can provide education around pumping and feeding options. However, you also have the knowledge to provide emotional support and validation. Helping new parents know that it is possible to go back to work while breastfeeding can help alleviate some of their anxieties.
While IBCLCs offer more in-depth plans for those with ongoing lactation challenges with underlying issues (e.g. insufficient glandular tissue, tongue ties, etc.,), as a CBC, you can provide sufficient education and support for typical lactating parents getting back to work.
Supporting Parents In The Workplace:
Typically, one of the biggest challenges is maintaining a milk supply while needing to pump. As a CBC, you can help provide them with education around efficient pumping. You can help them navigate a doable pumping routine for work, as well as how to maintain breastfeeding when with baby.
Taking time to learn about their job and available accommodations, you can help develop an individualized plan for maintaining supply. You can also help with tips and tricks for storing and transporting milk, and cleaning pump parts in efficient ways.
Also, you can help clients understand their legal rights regarding pumping. In the US, and many other countries, there are employment laws requiring adequate pumping breaks and appropriate spaces to pump.
Supporting Parents Going Back to Work on an Ongoing Basis
Even with the best laid plans, sometimes there will be challenges when a parent returns to work. As a CBC, you can help address these challenges and concerns.
Your skill set allows you to offer support, education, and advice on a variety of topics such as:
- How to pump to maintain supply.
- Navigating changes in demand which impacts supply.
- PACED bottle feeding.
- Separation anxiety
- Storing milk
- Helping baby accept a bottle.
- Keeping baby interested in feeding at the breast.
- Power pumping and skin-to-skin if supply dips.
- Navigating engorgement
- Use of donor milk, formula, etc., if needed.
The support you offer parents can help them meet their individual breastfeeding goals even after going back to work. You can also provide support if their goals change. Reassurance about the importance of doing what works best for their family can be vital for mental wellness.
General Advocacy in Breastfeeding in the Workplace
Certified breastfeeding counselors also play a vital role in advocating for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces. They work with employers to educate them about the importance of supporting breastfeeding employees and provide guidance on implementing breastfeeding-friendly policies and accommodations.
By raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and parents, counselors help create a supportive environment. It is important for parents to feel empowered in navigating breastfeeding while returning to work. As we know, this has significant benefits not just for individual families but society as whole.
By working as a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, you have the chance to help improve breastfeeding rates within your community. Breastfeeding and access to breast milk is an important public health concern. With your comprehensive training, you get to be part of the change to improve public health.