By investing in a breast pump, you can nurse your baby while you return to work. ProMoM, Inc. gave us some tips on how to pump, store, and freeze your milk for your baby.

According to the pros at ProMoM, Inc., returning to work does not have to mean giving up nursing your child. If you plan ahead and are committed to breastfeeding your baby, there is no reason to succumb to bottle formulas if you don't want to.

Talk to your employer.

A few weeks before you return to work, talk to your employer frankly about your desire to breastfeed, and the need for a private space to pump during the workday. Depending on the size of your baby and how often you feed her, you will probably need 45 minutes total throughout the course of the day to pump enough milk for the next day, which works out to a couple of breaks and perhaps your lunch. Consider at this time trying to work something out, where you could work from home, get an extended leave, or come in part time for a while. If none of these are options, load up your pump.

Find a caregiver.

Select your baby's caregiver carefully, and be sure to always have one or two backups in case of illness or emergency. Give explicit directions as to storing and preparing breast milk, and request that baby not be fed for a couple of hours before you get home. If the baby is hungry, ask your caregiver to tide her over with water or a snack portion of milk until you arrive.

Select a pump kit.

There are several breast pump companies that ProMom recommends on their site, including Medela's Lactina Select, Pump In Style, and a couple of double pumping kits. All vary according to size and function, so investigate which brand is best for your needs.

Start pumping early

Start practising pumping your breastmilk one to two weeks before you have to go back to work, so your body can get used to it, and you can determine which times will express the most milk - which is the morning, for most women.

If you're having trouble...

It may be difficult at first to relax enough at work to let down properly. ProMom suggests bringing along photos of your baby with you to work, and while you're trying to pump, listen to relaxing music or imagine your baby nursing.

Storing expressed milk.

Human milk lasts 5-7 days if kept at 39 degrees Fahrenheit. If it must be kept longer, label the milk in plastic bags, bottles, or glass containers with a small amount of room at the top, since frozen liquids expand. You can also freeze freshly expressed milk in your refrigerators freezer and it will last up to 6 months.

Using frozen milk.

To thaw frozen breast milk, place in the refrigerator to defrost 12 hours before using. Once milk has thawed, warm it by running warm water over the bottle, or by placing the bottle in a pan of warm water. Do not defrost or heat room temperature milk in hot water or the microwave. Also recommended is never to refreeze milk once it's been thawed, and discard all fresh milk baby does not eat at a feeding.