What do the doctors say?

     The Academy of Physicians and the US Surgeon General recommend that babies be fed breast milk for six to twelve months. The Family Medical Leave Act allows moms up to twelve weeks off from work to care for their babies. For moms who are going back to work, this time allows them to create and implement a breastfeeding/pumping plan. Doctors recommend the working mom to devise a practical pumping schedule. A mother’s milk production is usually well established by the time her infant is four weeks old.

     As of January 2003, 60.7 percent of women are working outside the home and women comprise 46.5 percent of the civilian work force. To achieve the Healthy People 2010 goals, family physicians and other health care professionals are providing encouragement, advice, resources and support to help mothers continue to breastfeed after they return to work. Evidence shows that the breastfeeding rate improves when parents are given the names of breastfeeding resources and groups.

http://familydoctor.org

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding