Pride

I am proud of the fact that even though I work full time, I still give my baby my breast milk. Working and having a baby is hard. Breastfeeding is our special bonding time. It is a great way to blend working and being a mom. The best time of day is when I get home and breastfeed my baby.

WIC helps me by:

  • Providing a breast pump;
  • Linking me with a peer counselor;
  • Offering support and advice when I need it.

Pumping Breast Milk

  • Plan ahead. Practice pumping before you return to work or school.
  • Breastfeeding alone (avoiding formula) will help your body know how to make enough milk for your baby.
  • Plan times to pump when you are separated from your baby and times to breastfeed when you and baby are together.
  • Find a quiet, comfortable place to pump and relax.
  • Look at a picture of your baby while pumping.
  • Keep hands, pump and containers clean.
  • Be prepared. Learn how to express milk without a pump. Ask a WIC staff person to show you how.

Storing Breast Milk

  • Never leave breast milk at room temperature.
  • Put breast milk on a shelf in the refrigerator or in a cooler with ice.
  • Use pumped milk in 48 hours or freeze it to use later.
  • Breast milk can be frozen for up to 6 months.
  • Once it has thawed, use it within 24 hours.
  • DO NOT re-freeze.
  • Thaw or warm breast milk under warm running water.
  • Never microwave breast milk. It can cause hot spots that will burn the baby's mouth and too much heat can destroy nutrients.
  • Do not save pumped breast milk left in the bottle after a feeding.

Publication 3995
Revision 7/08
New York State Department of Health