BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MAY 24, 2022

If mum and baby have settled into the healthy habit of breastfeeding, there’s no need to stop the flow of mother’s milk once childcare starts.  

For one thing, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 means you’re legally entitled to express milk at work, breastfeed at childcare, or vice versa, without fear of being discriminated against.  

No-one can deny you a childcare place because your tot is breastfed, or encourage you to wean your bub before care begins.  

At your early learning service, it must be easy to give your baby breastmilk from the boob, bottle or cup, and if you’re not able to pop in during the day, staff are obliged to feed your little one the expressed milk you’ve left for them.  

They’ll actually be happy to do this, because ‘breastfeeding-friendliness’ goes to the heart of what it means to be a quality service.  

To meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework, services must look after children's health and form collaborative relationships with families, and supporting mums to breastfeed taps into this.  

So, knowing that you have the support of law-makers and educators, how do you actually fit breastfeeding into the childcare day? 

Well, this depends on your individual situation, but as a guide, here are six things to do before your baby’s first drop-off:  

1. Consider all your breastfeeding options 

There are a couple of different ways to keep breastfeeding when your little one is at care, and it’s important to think about your options before you go back to work.  

A popular approach is to drop off fresh or frozen expressed breastmilk when you drop off your child. Educators will store this safely, prepare it properly, and feed it to your baby throughout the day.  

Explore different approaches – cups, straws and spoon-feeding may be great alternatives to bottle-feeding, as they can guard against nipple confusion in bub. 

You can express milk at home and/or at work (as an employee you’re entitled to take short breaks to do this), and you may like to keep your baby on the breast outside childcare hours.  

If you find it hard to express milk, or just prefer not to, you can always breastfeed at home and ask educators to feed your baby formula during the day. If your child is over 12 months, the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) says toddler milks aren’t necessary. Cows’ milk (or alternatives) are suggested.    

If you work very near your childcare centre, or have flexible conditions, another possibility is to breastfeed your baby at the service, or breastfeed them in a private space at work.  

If you’re not working, but are keeping busy at home, it’s equally important to think about the best breastmilk plan – whether that’s breastfeeding, expressing or a blend of the two.  

2. Discuss breastfeeding with your employer 

Before you go back to work, it’s very helpful to talk through your breastfeeding intentions and options with them. 

Many employers are ABA accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces, which means staff have undertaken professional development activities to help them best support breastfeeding mums.  

Even if your employer isn’t accredited, it’s still important to learn about any breastfeeding policy, entitlements or facilities that can help you balance breastfeeding with work.  

For example, you might not know that your Enterprise Agreement gives extra-long lactation breaks, unless you chat to your HR manager or boss! 

3. Talk about breastfeeding with centre staff 

Centre staff are your breastfeeding support team. No matter which breastfeeding approach you decide on, they will provide positive encouragement, practical information and day-to-day care that’s in line with your breastfeeding wishes and preferences.  

When you first visit a service, staff will show you the breastfeeding facilities you’ll soon become familiar with, and it’s important that your service offers a comfortable, private room to feed or express in, and reliable refrigeration to keep your precious milk safe.  

At enrolment, supportive staff will share breastfeeding information (it’s often in your registration pack), and explain how the service supports breastfeeding in practice. 

Staff are also on hand to answer specific questions or allay any concerns you have.  

For example, you might ask, “Where can I store my breast pump at the service?”, ”Do I need to give any notice before popping in for a feed?” or “What happens if my baby doesn’t take to bottle-feeding?”  

If you’ve thought of it, they can answer it!  

4. Create a breastfeeding plan with staff 

Once you’ve decided how you want breastfeeding and childcare to work, it’s important to make a breastfeeding plan. This ensures everyone is on the same page regarding your breastfeeding needs and wants. 

Naomi Hull, Senior Manager, Breastfeeding Information and Research at the ABA, says a little planning goes a long way.  

“Your breastfeeding plan can include the ‘big picture’ stuff, like the importance of breastfeeding for you and your baby, as well as the finer details: How many feeds does your baby usually have each day, and when? Do they prefer their sippy or straw cup? Will you be stopping by for breastfeeds or feeding at drop-off or pick-up?” 

Ms Hull says, “Sharing these tips with your baby’s carers helps them to make the change smooth for both you and your baby. With a little teamwork, your childcare service can support you to continue your special breastfeeding journey long after returning to work.”   

And don’t worry – you can always amend the plan if your baby wants a different feeding pace, you’re struggling with the work-breastfeeding balance, or you need to mix things up as your bub grows.  

5. Get your gear in order 

Before childcare starts it’s important to dress for success and organise your breastfeeding equipment.  

Ms Hull says, “Easy-to-open blouses, tops or shirts (and ideally in a patterned fabric) are perfect if you’ll be expressing or pumping during the day. Comfortable nursing bras, and plenty of breast pads to soak up milk drips are also essential. Even if you’re not planning to express or pump during the day, expect unexpected leaks and plan ahead.”  

If you are going to be expressing, make sure you have enough clean bottles and teats, freezer bags (if you’re freezing breastmilk for childcare), and a breast pump that actually pumps! 

Comfortable shoes make it easier to dash to care if you’re dropping in for lunchtime feeds. And don’t forget a good-sized water bottle for yourself, because ‘staying hydrated’ is high on your to-do list as a working, breastfeeding mum.  

6. Allow for a settling in period 

If you’re planning to drop some daytime breastfeeds when your bub starts care, start doing this a few weeks before care begins, to give them time to get used to it.  

“But don’t worry if they don’t take to the idea easily,” explains Ms Hull. “Things are always different when they are with someone else, and your educators will have lots of experience helping breastfed babies settle in.” 

Starting childcare and resuming work is a big change for both of you, so spend quality time together after hours (cuddling, reading, singing and so on), and know that it’s normal to feel a bit teary or terribly tired when you first leave your little one and go back to paid work.  

If you’re worried about something (or anything) breastfeeding-related, you can call the ABA’s free, 24/7 Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268. It’s staffed by qualified breastfeeding counsellors, who are also mums themselves.    

And always remember that your early learning service has your back (or should that be front?) when it comes to breastfeeding.  

Here’s to a happy and successful partnership!