Nursing on the Job

(Newswire.net — December 12, 2017) Cheyenne, Wyoming — As one’s maternity leave draws to an end, it’s all about making childcare preparations. Arrangements for daycare, pick-ups and the works are made but for nursing moms there is another concern, contended with engorged breasts. The most obvious solution is to invest in a breast milk pump while for others the answer is simply to keep their babies with them at work just during feeding sessions.

 “I had hoped to not only be able to feed my baby but to send a message to young women that they belong in the parliament,” said Larissa Waters, an Australian Senator who became the first politician to breastfeed in her country’s parliament in May 2017. 

Very few are lucky enough to be in a position where they can chose to work and have their baby at hand. The nourishment and emotional bond provided by nursing contributes to an important stage of development for babies which should not be compromised unnecessarily.  

“Women are going to continue to have babies and if they want to do their job and be at work and look after their baby… the reality is we are going to have to accommodate that,” said Katy Gallagher, Australian Labor Senator. 

While nursing on the job can be facilitated in some professions, there are other working environments that pose too many risks to the safety of infants and interruption to essential services they offer. 

Occupations such as those in the food industry and medical field by nature are just not conducive for breasting on the job. That’s why radiation therapist Melissa Bressler chose to express her milk via a hands-free nursing bra while having lunch and working on her desk computer. A sure candidate for the “ultimate super multitasking mom” award if there ever was one.  

Her co-worker thought it was admirable that she would go to such lengths to continue providing breast milk for her one year old toddler despite being at work. And so a photo was taken and posted in a breastfeeding support group on Facebook. The image has since gone viral, garnering more than 12,000 likes and 300 comments in the space of a week. 

“The love my photo received is overwhelming,” said Melissa Bressler. “I hope women are inspired by it and know that they too can still provide breast milk for their baby even if they are a student or working mother.” 

It’s clear that nursing doesn’t have to be stopped when a mom returns to work as there are options available if it’s something one truly desires to continue with. One should bear in mind that maintaining a healthy diet is still of great significance so having drinks or meals prepared with alcohol is something to be cautious about throughout the day. Keeping a breast milk analysis kit, such as the HealthyWiser ™ PureMilk™ alcohol detecting strips, at hand is a practical and convenient way to check the octane content of your breast milk prior to a pump or feed if the need arises.