Pumping and Storing Breastmilk

Moms going back to work – OH No!!!

Some helpful hints on breast pumping and storing of breastmilk.

Whether you’re going back to work, want to have your partner help with feedings, or want to make sure you have breastmilk for your baby if you are away for a few hours, you will need to pump and store your breastmilk. 

Pumping your breastmilk

Before you pump, wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. Make sure the area where you are pumping and your pump parts and bottles are clean. You do not need to wash your breasts and nipples before pumping.

If you need help to get your milk to start flowing without your baby there, you can get Milk Galore products that may assist increase the flow of breastmilk so that Mom can have enough milk to express.  The products come in form of rooibos tea or 100% fruit juice blend and can be purchased based on preference.

Pumping: Ways to express your milk by hand or pump

Hand expression

How it works: You use your hand to squeeze and press on your breast to remove milk.

What is involved:

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. But all moms should learn how to hand express in case of emergency.

Average Cost: Free

Manual pump

How it works: You use your hand and wrist to operate a hand-held device to pump the milk.

What is involved:

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Useful for occasional pumping if you are away from your baby only once in a while.

Average Cost: R200 to R874*

Electric breast pump

How it works: Runs on battery or plugs into an electrical outlet.

What is involved:

  • Can be easier for some moms.
  • Can pump one breast at a time or both breasts at the same time.
  • Double pumping (pumping both breasts at the same time) may collect more milk in less time, which is helpful if you are going back to work or school full-time.
  • Need a place to clean and store the equipment between uses.
  • Electric pumps require batteries or a place to plug in.

Average Cost: R750 to over  R4 099

Storage of breastmilk

After each pumping, you can:

  • Keep milk at room temperature. Breastmilk is OK for up to 4 hours after pumping at room temperature (up to 25 °C).
  • Refrigerate it. Breastmilk is OK in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Place milk in the freezer. If you’re not going to use refrigerated breastmilk within 4 days of pumping, freeze it right after pumping.
  • Use cooler packs. You can put breastmilk in a cooler or insulated cooler pack with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours after pumping. After 24 hours in a cooler the breastmilk should be refrigerated or frozen.

When storing breastmilk, use breastmilk storage bags, which are made for freezing human milk. You can also use clean glass or hard BPA-free plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. Do not use containers with the recycle number 7, which may contain BPA. Do not use disposable bottle liners or other plastic bags to store breastmilk.

Storage: Tips for freezing milk

  • Clearly label milk containers with the date the milk was expressed. Include your child’s name if you are giving the milk to a child care provider.
  • Freeze in small amounts ( ¼ to ½ cups) for later feedings.
  • Leave an 25.4ml or so from the milk to the top of the container, because it will get bigger when freezing.
  • Wait to tighten bottle caps or lids until the milk is completely frozen.
  • Store milk in the back of the freezer, not on the shelf of the freezer door, so that it doesn’t start to thaw out.

Storage: Tips for thawing and warming up milk

  • Thaw the oldest breastmilk first.
  • Breastmilk does not need to be warmed. Some moms prefer to serve it at room temperature. Some moms serve it cold.
  • Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • If you decide to warm the breastmilk:
    • Keep the container sealed while warming.
    • Hold it under warm, not hot, running water, or set it in a container of water that is warm, not hot.
    • Never put a bottle or bag of breastmilk in the microwave. Microwaving creates hot spots that could burn your baby and damage the milk.
    • Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, not hot.
  • Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. Do not shake the milk.
  • Use breastmilk within 24 hours of thawing it in the refrigerator. This means 24 hours from when the breastmilk is no longer frozen, not from when you take it out of the freezer.
  • Once breastmilk is thawed to room temperature or warmed after being in the refrigerator or freezer, use it within 2 hours. If you have any leftover milk when the baby is finished feeding, be sure to throw it out within 2 hours.
  • Do not refreeze breastmilk after it has been thawed.
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Mental Health and the NICU Mom: The Silent Battle Behind the Glass

If you’ve ever walked through a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you’ll know the atmosphere – quiet, sterile, filled with tiny machines keeping even tinier lives stable. What you might not see, though, is the emotional toll it takes on mothers standing behind that glass.

For many moms of premature babies, the NICU isn’t just a place of healing – it’s a battlefield of fear, hope, and heartache. Studies suggest that up to 70% of mothers with babies in NICU experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, and a significant number show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) even months after discharge.

“Having a baby in NICU can be one of the most emotionally isolating experiences a mother faces,” says Sr Londe, independent midwife and Vital Baby South Africa’s trusted advisor. “You’re told to be strong, to hold it together. But inside, you’re scared and feel powerless.”

Unlike traditional postpartum depression, which often develops after birth, NICU-related mental health challenges can begin immediately; triggered by medical uncertainty, feelings of guilt, or the inability to bond physically with your baby.
“You may only be allowed to touch your baby for minutes at a time,” says Sr Londe. “That separation can deeply impact bonding and confidence.”

Feeling numb, struggling to sleep even when your baby is safe, replaying traumatic moments, or feeling disconnected from your child – these are all warning signs of trauma or depression. And yet, many mothers dismiss them.
“There’s still a stigma around maternal mental health,” says Sr Londe. “We need to normalise the conversation and remind mothers that they’re not alone.”

Talking to your healthcare provider, joining a support group, or connecting with a therapist who specialises in perinatal mental health can make a world of difference. Hospitals are also increasingly introducing peer-support programmes where NICU graduates’ parents help new families navigate the emotional maze.

“It’s okay to need help,” says Sr Londe. “You’re not failing as a mother, you’re processing an extraordinary experience.” 

As the conversation around maternal mental health grows, brands like Vital Baby are helping raise awareness that caring for moms is as important as caring for their babies. Because behind every incubator, there’s a mother who needs healing too. 

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Co-Sleeping, Cribs, or Sleep Training — What Works Best?

If there’s one topic guaranteed to spark debate at every baby shower, moms-and-tots group, or family WhatsApp chat, it’s sleep. Should babies co-sleep in the family bed? Should they start in a crib from day one? And what about sleep training — is it kind, or is it cruel?

Ask ten parents, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. But what do the experts say, and how do these choices affect a baby’s development long-term?

“Sleep is such an emotional subject because it affects the whole family,” says Sr Londe, independent midwife and trusted advisor to Vital Baby South Africa. “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What’s important is balancing safety, bonding, and rest — for both baby and parents.”

Option 1: Co-Sleeping

Co-sleeping — sharing a bed with your baby — is popular worldwide, especially in cultures that value close family bonds. Many parents say it makes night feeds easier and helps babies feel secure.

Pros: Promotes bonding, easier breastfeeding, may help babies settle faster.
Cons: Safety concerns (risk of suffocation or overheating), disrupted sleep for parents, harder to transition baby to their own bed later.

Sr Londe explains: “If parents choose to co-sleep, it’s vital to follow safety guidelines — like keeping pillows and blankets away from the baby and ensuring no one in the bed has consumed alcohol or medication that causes drowsiness.”

Option 2: Crib or Cot Sleeping

Many sleep experts recommend placing babies in their own crib or cot in the parents’ room for the first six months. This offers closeness without the risks of bed-sharing.

Pros: Lower risk of suffocation, easier for parents to move freely, sets early sleep boundaries.
Cons: Night feeds may feel more disruptive, some babies resist being apart from mom.

“Room-sharing in a crib is a safe and balanced choice,” says Sr Londe. “It allows for quick response at night while giving baby a dedicated, safe sleep space.”

Option 3: Sleep Training

Sleep training methods range from gentle routines (like bedtime rituals and gradual settling) to structured approaches (like controlled crying). The goal is to help babies learn to fall asleep on their own.

Pros: Can improve sleep quality for the whole family, helps babies develop self-soothing skills.
Cons: Controversial, as some parents worry about stress or attachment issues.

Sr Londe notes: “When done gently and consistently, sleep training can be effective and doesn’t damage the parent-child bond. It’s about finding the right approach for your baby’s temperament and your family’s values.” 

Here’s the secret: there is no single “best” method. What works for one family may be unthinkable for another.

The golden rules?

  • Always prioritise safety (flat, firm sleep surfaces; no loose bedding; sleep on back).
  • Be consistent with whichever method you choose.
  • Give yourself grace — no family ever sleeps perfectly all the time.

“Parents often feel pressured by what they read online or hear from relatives,” says Sr Londe. “But the truth is, the best sleep method is the one that keeps baby safe and allows your family to function with as much rest as possible.”

Research shows that babies can thrive whether they co-sleep, crib-sleep, or sleep-train — as long as their emotional and physical needs are met. What matters most is a loving, responsive environment.

“Don’t get stuck in the comparison game,” Sr Londe adds. “Your baby’s sleep journey will be unique — and that’s okay.”

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Can Moms Really Afford to Breastfeed?

Let’s face it—new parents already juggle a million things, and the idea of breastfeeding on top of work, finances, and life can feel completely overwhelming. In South Africa, the laws say mums should get support. But do the laws match reality? And can moms genuinely afford to breastfeed? 

South African law gives new moms four consecutive months of maternity leave—usually starting around one month before the due date and extending to three months after the birth. It’s illegal to return to work within the first six weeks, unless a healthcare provider says you’re ready. 

However—here’s the kicker—employers aren’t required to pay salaries during this time unless it’s in your contract or a company policy. Instead, moms can apply for benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).[1] UIF payouts range between 38% and 60% of your salary, depending on how much you contributed before leave[2]. Meanwhile, the application process can take 3–8 weeks, and you must reapply every month while on leave. 

The law also entitles mothers to two paid 30-minute breastfeeding or expressing breaks per day—on top of lunch or tea breaks—for the first six months of a baby’s life. And employers are encouraged to provide a private, hygienic space for this purpose[3]. 

But the reality often falls short. Many women return to work within three months due to financial strain. The lack of proper lactation facilities, supportive workplace policies, or even awareness of these rights means many stop breastfeeding entirely. Even worse, domestic and informal workers—who often need the most support—are the least likely to access maternity protections.[4]

South African moms are advised to exclusively breastfeed for six months, in line with WHO guidelines. Yet the statistics tell the real story: only around 32% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed, averaging less than three months of breastfeeding overall[5]. 

These low rates are linked to higher risks of malnutrition, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and even infant mortality. 

Even in the system’s imperfect current state, here are some practical tips from Sr Londe – independent midwife and Vital Baby’s trusted advisor – to help moms make breastfeeding work:

  1. Start UIF early – Apply as soon as possible, and if your company delays or doesn’t pay you, get in touch with the Department of Labour or CCMA. 
  2. Talk to your employer – Explain your need for breastfeeding breaks and a private space to express. Sometimes simple understanding can spark supportive changes. 
  3. Plan financially – UIF coverage can be lean; build a budget for lower income, and explore supplements if your employer offers top-ups. 
  4. Build a support network – Teams like family, caregivers, or nearby daycare can make daytime breastfeeding or milk drop-offs possible. 
  5. Make expressing work for you – Learn to express efficiently and store milk smartly—room temp for up to 8 hours, longer if you have a freezer. 

Breastfeeding isn’t just about health—it benefits business too. Breastfed babies are generally healthier, meaning less absenteeism, more productivity, and better staff retention. Plus, it contributes to broader goals like gender equality, economic inclusion, and improved child development outcomes. 

Here’s the bottom line: Can moms in South Africa afford to breastfeed? Legally, yes—but practically, it’s often an uphill battle. Gaps in pay, awareness, infrastructure, and enforcement mean many moms return to work too soon. But with proactive planning, workplace conversations, and community support, breastfeeding while working is absolutely doable. 

[1] https://www.news24.com/Life/What-the-law-says-about-maternity-leave-UIF-and-going-back-to-work-20150826

[2] https://www.bbrief.co.za/2025/08/05/employee-maternity-leave-pay/

[3] https://www.news24.com/Life/What-the-law-says-about-maternity-leave-UIF-and-going-back-to-work-20150826

[4] https://www.saffarazzi.com/news/no-proper-maternity-pay-or-leave-for-domestic-workers-in-south-africa/

[5] https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-024-00634-z

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