If breast-feeding is so highly recommended by health care professionals, why don't more moms do it?

Many moms find that continuing to breast-feed after they've returned to work is often highly inconvenient. For breast milk to continue to form, breast-feeding must take place in regular intervals. If moms are away from their infants for several hours at a time, they must pump instead. In fact, pumping must occur even more often than feedings -- it's recommended that working mothers pump every 2-3 hours. The milk can then be frozen and stored for future feedings.

Lots of moms run into problems taking a break every few hours to pump -- and they face another quandary in finding an adequate location.

Employers are becoming more and more accepting of breast-feeding moms who need to take time off to pump during the work day. Hundreds of companies provide "lactation programs" that include rooms to breast-feed or pump and break time in which to do it.

Several states have legislation in place that requires employers to provide accommodations for breast-pumping or -feeding women. In some areas, that means employers must give women unpaid breaks every 2-3 hours, and some have to provide some type of location -- other than a bathroom stall -- in which women can pump their breasts. To see recent state-by-state legislation on breast-feeding, visit the site of the La Leche League, an international nonprofit support group for mothers who breast-feed.

If you're a mom who wants to continue breast-feeding after returning to work:

• Buy a quality breast pump. Electronic pumps can be expensive -- they can cost more than $200 -- but they're much easier to use and more efficient than manual pumps. They have a suck-release cycle that is closer to the pattern of a baby than the continuous suction of the smaller pumps.
  Some health insurance and medical assistance will pay for a breast-pump purchase -- or for a rental. And some community health organizations will lend pumps to low-income moms.
• Talk to your employer or human resources representative about a time and place to pump. Look into your state's current breast-feeding laws to know your rights.
• If your employer is proving difficult to work with, contact a lactation consultant through your local hospital. He or she will be able to help you find a workable solution.
• For more information about breast-feeding and pumping, contact your local Le Leche League.