5 Reasons a Working Mom Needs a Breastfeeding Plan in 2025. . .

Are you pregnant with your first little one and anxiously awaiting their arrival in 2025? Maybe you are like me and you are excited, terrified, and overloaded with work demands that you might even forget you are pregnant sometimes. If you can relate to that even just a little bit, I urge you to continue reading this one.

As the year struck 2019, I was 12 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I was over the moon, blessed to have the opportunity to bring life into the world - but also terrified. I was so stressed about work, how would pregnancy affect my career goals, what if I did not want to keep working, and if I did not want to was that even a financial option at the time, or the best one…what if I did want to keep working? I had people all around me telling me that I would not want to keep working, but what if I wanted to…what if I actually looked forward to going back to work? There were a lot of fears that I conjured, but I allowed myself to sit in them - rather than doing the next right thing.

As I reflect, I realize I was so caught up in the “what if’s” that I did not take time to plan for the real things. Like I 100% was going to have to birth this baby & I would definitely need to feed he/she once they arrived. I wish I would have taken my fears away from the “what if’s” and allowed myself to plan for the “what we knows”. This is why I cannot urge all mothers enough to make a breastfeeding plan and plan for the inevitable fact that you will need to feed your baby eventually.

For working women, especially goal driven, high excelling women, I urge you to take time while pregnant to invest in your breastfeeding journey. Here are 5 reasons why goal-driven women are particularly susceptible during postpartum & can benefit from breastfeeding education.

1. You are used to being in control
   Does this sound like you? You were a straight-A high school student, who then went on and excelled in college, seeking every internship, and then landing the “big job” out of school? Now you are in your big girl job and feel innately in control of your career?
   I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but times are changing. As you have your little babe, they come with all of their own dreams and demands. As much as we want to put them on a schedule, they are their own person. You will not be in control anymore.
   This comes down to even how they feed. Not one breastfeeding journey looks the same, but with proper education - you will at least know your options. You will be in control of making decisions that work best for you and your baby. You will not be simply forced into a decision.

2. Motherhood Does Not Come with an Award Ceremony
   As you went through school & now a career, you likely have grown accustomed to some form of an atta-boy, a pat on the back, an award in front of an audience, or better a bonus. Motherhood does not come with any of that. You will likely be told or tell yourself you are doing a bad job way more times than doing a good job - don’t listen to that though.
   Because of this, you have got to be confident in your decision making. It is so much easier to make confident decision making when you are well-educated on the topic. You need to have a firm understanding on the way you choose to feed your child before you ever need to feed your child. Waiting till you are sleep deprived, have a hungry baby, and 10 different opinions in your face: is not the time to become educated.
   Few people will tell you you are doing a good job, so make sure you are confident in your work as a mother.

3. Proximity to Support
   Many career women have been relocated throughout their career. If you are living away from a strong support system is another great reason, which you need to establish a breastfeeding plan.
   For many years, our mothers and grandmothers were our means to "lactation support”. There has been a severe decline in generational support, which I discuss in “But Why Do I Need a Lactation Consultant?”. Despite that though, if you do not live near your family - another line of support has been broken.
   Living far away from family is another reason that career women need to seek lactation education and support throughout her pregnancy & postpartum experience.

4. There are Multiple Ways to Breastfeed
   Did you know that breastfeeding does not just have to be a baby suckling at the breast? Did you know that you do not have to nurse at all? Maybe you want a mix of both from the beginning?
   It is almost 2025, ladies. There are so many options when it comes to breastfeeding. Now depending upon how you plan to feed, we have to plan for that, so it is important to make a plan so you are well-prepared for your breastfeeding journey.
   Curious about your options when breastfeeding? Get my free guide, “How Will I Breastfeed?” today!

5. You do Not Have Time for Sick Days
   Okay, I am not guaranteeing that you breastfed baby will just not be sick, ever. I mean, daycare is a doosy. However, the immediate & long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby simply cannot be denied. Finding a sustainable way to continue breastfeeding well past your return to work will minimize the amount of sick days you have to take once you return back to work. This is especially critical if you do not receive sick days as you may find yourself taking PTO to sit at home to care for your sick baby.
   Again, no one is suggesting your breastfed baby will never get sick, but it is well proven that the severity & how often it occurs will be less than a formula fed baby. Then giving you more time to focus on work & getting back home to you baby!

Last & most importantly, preparing for your postpartum experience with breastfeeding education is one data point that improves all mothers chances of breastfeeding success & longevity. Because of this, I have partnered with Doula, Chantal Davila, to provide you with a birth & breastfeeding course, L:abor to Latch. This 2025, prepare for your birth journey with us! Register today for Labor to Latch.

If you have any questions or reservations, please email or DM me today! We look forward to having you in our class!

With love,

Antoinette C., CLC