Practical Advice for Making Breastfeeding and Work, Work! Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2023

It's World Breastfeeding Week 2023 and this years theme, 'Enabling breastfeeding – making a difference for working parents’, highlights the importance of breastfeeding-friendly environments for women who are navigating their transition back to work. This theme also considers the role of paid leave and other workplace resources in empowering breastfeeding women who want to continue their journey once they return to work. As a passionate midwife and lactation consultant, I often guide my clients through tailored 'returning to work' sessions, understanding the overwhelming nature of this phase. However, rest assured, it doesn't have to be an unachievable challenge. Just like the early days of breastfeeding, once you find your rhythm, it becomes much easier. When planning this episode, I reflected on what would have been helpful knowledge for me personally and listened to the feedback of my clients. The recurring theme that emerged was the importance of flexibility, experimentation, and finding the best approach that works for your unique family dynamics.In today's episode I share practical tips and advice around navigating this transition - including equipment needed for pumping at work, whether you even need to pump while at work, way's to give your little one expressed breast milk, how this may look at different ages and my experience returning to part time work when my little one was 5.5 months old. I know firsthand the incredible dedication and hard work that goes into being a mum. That's why, when discussing the concept of "paid work," I want to acknowledge that every mother's role is invaluable and deserving of recognition. We are all working - whether that is within the home or paid work. Whether you are preparing to return to your career or simply seeking some well-deserved time away from your little one - perhaps for a special event like a wedding or a chance for some self care with a massage - the information in this episode is applicable to all mothers.My Online Hypnobirthing with Hannah Course is now available! Click here to join and start preparing for your positive birth!You can check out all the info on our Postnatal Midwifery Packages here.I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, and ideas for future episodes so please get in touch on instagram - my insta is @hannahwillsmoremidwife or through my website www.hannahwillsmore.com. Remember to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes, and if you're enjoying the podcast I would be ever so grateful if you could rate and review  on your favourite podcast player. Disclaimer: Remember as always the info provided in this podcast does not constitute medical, midwifery, psychological, childbirth, pre-natal or post-natal education or other professional medical advice, and is provided for general information and guidance purposes only. Hannah Willsmore will not be liable for any expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damages) or costs which might be incurred as a result of your reliance on this information, advice, content or materials. This release includes but is not limited to any claim for personal injury, damages and death of any individual which has received information from Hannah Willsmore. Further, Hannah Willsmore does not make any representations or give any warranties about their accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. If you have any health concerns or questions you should speak with your midwife or doctor.