Assisting the employed breastfeeding mother.

Breastfeeding and employment are often viewed as mutually exclusive activities. However, women who choose to breastfeed are more likely than other mothers to return to paid employment outside the home, and many of these mothers want to continue breastfeeding. The midwife is in a unique position to assist these mothers as they make plans for infant feeding during their pregnancy, while they are learning how to breastfeed, and after they have returned to the labor force. This paper presents relevant research findings and specific guidelines designed to assist the midwife in counseling mothers who are planning to breastfeed while employed outside the home. The author suggests that establishing lactation before the return to employment is a key to enabling breastfeeding to continue as long as the mother wishes. The importance of expressing milk during periods of separation is discussed. Key questions to ask when recommending breast pumps are identified.