Making it easier ...

WHY should I consider balancing breastfeeding and work? 

It’s free and is a perfect food for the baby 

Breast milk is easier to digest 

For a healthier baby 

Saves time 

Close bonding 

Healthy mother 

How can I balance breastfeeding and work? 

Delay return to work 

Work from home 

Work flexible hours 

Express breast milk at work 

Breastfeed at home. Your baby can have expressed breast milk when you are at work 

Use childcare centres on-site or near work place 

Bring baby to work 

What should I do before my baby arrives? 

Find support for breastfeeding 

Talk to your supervisor or employee representative about your entitlements 

Request for maternity leave 

What should I do before I return to work? 

Talk to other mothers who have combined breastfeeding and work 

Talk to your immediate superior about how you can continue breastfeeding and working 

Choose your childcare provider 

Learn to express your breast milk and get support 

Get advice from a breastfeeding information bureau before you use the breast pump 

How do I express, store and transport my expressed breast milk? 

Decide what to use to express – your hand or a breast pump 

Find a clean, private room to express 

Store breast milk in fridge (two to three days) or freezer (up to three months) 

Use plastic or glass containers or milk bags 

Transport breast milk in cold container 

How do I successfully express? 

Wash hands before expressing 

Clean equipment 

If you’re using a breast pump, read instructions carefully 

Relax when expressing 

Massage breasts before expressing 

Store breast milk safely 

Look after yourself 

How often do I need to express? 

As often as your baby feeds 

How much do I need to express? 

As much as you can 

What information do I give my childcare provider about using expressed breast milk? 

Thaw expressed milk slowly in cool or warm water (do not use a microwave oven) 

Use cup or bottle to give baby breast milk 

Discard thawed breast milk if not used within 60 minutes. 

If I am not able to express enough breast milk for my baby, what do I do? 

Have your expressing method checked by a breastfeeding counsellor 

Express more often 

Breastfeed more often at home 

If you’re using a breast pump, try another type of pump 

Take it easy and relax 

Adapted from the Balancing Breastfeeding and Work brochure by Breastfeeding Information Bureau Malaysia sponsored by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (Maternity Protection). 

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