It can be done. And you don't need to wean your baby early to do it. All you need is a continued commitment to giving your baby the best start in life. A quality breast pump will help your efforts, too.

A few days before you return to work, start introducing your baby to the bottle. It may help to have your husband or another familiar face be the one to give the bottle. When the baby is taking the bottle, practice pumping your breasts to get your body used to this new method of "feeding." You can use that expressed milk to make bottles for your first day back at work.

Once you go back to work, tell your supervisor your plans to continue breastfeeding and together you should be able to find a private room for pumping. Legislation has been proposed that aims to prevent employers from discriminating against lactating women in the workplace. At the moment, no federal law exists, however certain states may have laws in place. Check the laws in your state.

You can nurse your baby just before you leave for work, then express your milk three times during the workday: mid-morning, at lunchtime, and again in the mid-afternoon. If your childcare is near your work, drop the noontime pumping and meet your baby for lunch instead.

Mothers who work afternoon or evening shifts can enjoy a similar feeding schedule as well. If your supply is well established, you could drop the mid-morning and mid-afternoon pumpings and nurse your baby at lunch and when the two of you are at home together.

Store your milk in a refrigerator in a sealed bottle or bag, like the Seal 'N Go® Breast Milk Storage Bags. Breast milk can be stored for 24 to 48 hours, or in a freezer for up to three months. Be sure to date the containers in the area above the seal. Breast milk should be thawed in the refrigerator or in a container under warm running water. Do not let it stand at room temperature to thaw. And do not heat your milk on the stove or in a microwave oven. It can get too hot and heat unevenly.

During the course of your workday, you may find that your milk leaks from your nipples between feedings. You can stay dry and feel confident with absorbent Gerber Nursing Pads.