Explore our first online course, “Breastfeeding for the Working Family,” and get ready to go back to work after maternity, including our best resources for pumping.
Exclusive Pumping - How Does it Change Over Time?
Breastfeeding After Exclusive Pumping
Breastfeeding Memoirs: Trusting my Body when Returning to Work
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week 2015, we are sharing inspirational stories from breastfeeding/working moms.
Today’s story was written by Georgina.
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When I had to go back to work I knew I wanted to keep providing my son with the very best I could offer and one of them was his dear breastmilk. I was very confused with the whole pumping at work idea. I had done some research at work before delivering as to where the lactation room was and what the process was to reserve the room. I work at a hospital and I thought that just by going to the L&D department everyone would know where our lactation room was and it was going to be very easy to find. Well to my surprise, no one knew exactly what I was referring to, all the nurses looked at me with puzzled faces and confused as to why an 8 month pregnant employee was asking about this room and they didn't even know where it was! When I finally found it, it was a rather disappointing, sad room that looked like a utility closet, but at least it was clean and it had the necessities: a chair, a desk and a fridge.
Breastfeeding Memoirs: Persevering when Returning to Work
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week 2015, we are sharing inspirational stories from breastfeeding/working moms.
Today’s story was written by Maggie.
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I had a long, stressful delivery that resulted in an emergency c-section, a tongue tie revision on day 2, followed by 48 hours in NICU. I was given a nipple shield, instructed to supplement with formula through an SNS and sent on my way. Breastfeeding was painful and difficult even with the shield, I went to many support group meetings and did weighed feeds and was able to stop supplementing. We were also dealing with a "colicky" baby until about week 8 . Then at week 10, I was able to get off the nipple shield with the help of an LC at Mary Birch. I was supposed to go back to work after 12 weeks but I was so exhausted and we were finally starting to turn a corner where we could actually enjoy our time with baby, I thankfully was able to extend my maternity leave to 16 weeks.
This prelude is to say that with all the struggles we went through in the beginning, I was very anxious about going back to work, whether I would make enough milk, whether he would get nipple confusion or a bottle preference. I worked so hard and suffered through so much literal blood, sweat, and tears to make breastfeeding work I started to really resent the fact that I had to go to work and interrupt our breastfeeding relationship.
How Can I Pump Enough for my Baby When I’m at Work?
Going back to work can be a very stressful time for many new moms. It’s difficult to leave your baby for the first time. You may feel nervous about returning to a job you’ve been away from for months. Your schedule/routine may have changed due to child-care arrangements. Plus, if you’re anything like me, none of your work pre-pregnancy work clothes fit yet! A concern that often adds to this stress is the fear that you may not be able to pump enough for your baby’s bottles while you’re at work. Some moms find that they are constantly playing a game of catch-up, trying to keep up with their baby’s intake while with the caregiver. Below are some things you can do to improve your ability to keep up with your baby’s needs.
Help a Mama Out: Tips for Talking with your Boss about Pumping
'Help a Mama Out' Topic of the Week:
Tips for Talking with Your Boss about Pumping
What's your best tip for discussing your pumping rights/schedule with your boss?
Shelly Hovies Rogers: Be assertive with your rights, but be flexible and willing to work with your boss and coworkers. I found my workplace to be quite accommodating to me when I nicely, but matter of fact, told them what I needed. Also, although I didn’t have to quote the state law, I familiarized myself with it, just in case I needed to use it.
Kelly Reyes: Before I left for maternity leave, I discussed my need to pump with my boss and then HR, just to make sure we were all on the same page. When I had issues with the way the ‘wellness room’ schedule was being managed, my boss went to bat for me and fixed the problem that day!
Marie Bishop: My best advice is to know the law and stand up for yourself and your baby. In states, such as California, it is required by law that your employer provides a non-restroom space that is private for you to pump.
Meggin Dueckman: We just talked about it! We’re all pretty close at work, so it was no problem. I was the first of our staff to want/need to pump at work. Mind you, here in Canada we get a year of maternity leave, so it’s not as common for people to want to pump as frequently when they return to work. I only pumped 1 times a day at work, more for my own comfort!
Jamie Howell Swope: As a teacher at a school, it wasn’t an easy process, but I went in knowing the law and advised my principal ahead of time why I wanted to meet with her. That way she had time to think about how to make it work, too.
Kat Picson Berling: I was really lucky in that 2 of my coworkers were pumping moms, so they had paved the way. I told my boss that I was going to take 2 pumping breaks at x and y time and I will be in this office and it will take 15 minutes. He was fine with it. I’m not going to lie…. Because I had a cubicle at work, it was sometimes difficult to find a place to pump. Even our HR coordinator wasn’t sympathetic for me. Just make sure to know the law.
Chantel McComber: My advice would be to put your fears aside. Sometimes it’s hard as a working mom to ask for things because not everyone has them. Remember that you are doing this for your health and your baby’s health and those are two things that should always come first.
Jennifer Haak: When I discussed my date of return, I told my boss that I needed a lock installed on my office door and I explained why.
Andrea Blanco: First, know your right. Be sure that your company falls under those rights. Then file that information away and try *not* to use it as it can be perceived as a threat (and no one likes to be threatened.) Second, have a plan in place. I find that if you’re willing to have the conversation in advance, go into it as sweet as possible, and have it all planned out as to how it will work for you (with consideration given to work environment/demands/pumping law.) Then, it is much harder for your employer to say no.
For the United States Lactation Accommodation laws, check out Break Time for Nursing Mothers
Help a Mama Out: Nurturing Your Breastfeeding Relationship when Back at Work
Help a Mama Out Topic of the Week: What are your favorite ways to nurture your breastfeeding relationship when you work outside the home?
Sarah – When I was working out of the home, I pumped at the times my daughter would take a bottle. Then, when I came home I would exclusively nurse her. She was fine with 2 or 3 small breastmilk bottles a day, then nursed the rest of the time. She always preferred the breast and when it came time to wean, I was nervous….but at 13 months she just did and that was that!
Alicia – Comfort nursing on the weekends and morning nursing cuddle time. I always nurse as soon as we get home from work/daycare.
Alyssa – My favorite part of my working day (as a teacher) was when I sat down in the glider at daycare and nursed my son before taking him home for the night. We were always so happy to see each other and it helped wipe away any headaches from the day. Plus, I developed a friendship with his teacher and got to hear all about what he did that day, which was way better than just reading a quick note on a daily info sheet!
Jeanne – Co-sleeping helped us and a feed before I leave and ASAP when I get home. I also pump 3-4 times at work and always demand feed when I’m home.
Katie – We nurse in the evenings, when she wakes up in the middle of the night, and at least once more before I leave for work. It’s funny, as soon as I pick her up after work, I think her mind lights up with ‘milk!’ because she immediately wants to nurse regardless of when her last feeding was. I can tell that she misses that when we’re a part, as do I.
Janell – As soon as I get home, he’s on the boob. The rest of the night, he is on the boob. We spend all weekend with him on and off the boob. Time consuming, but I love the connection time and it forces me to sit down and breathe with my son.
Rachel – I sit with my daughter every evening after work. Even if she goes to sleep, we spend the entire evening and night together because we co-sleep. I make a point to forget about all of the housework I have to do and just relax with her because I know that she won’t be little forever!
Rachelle – One of my favorite things is when I get home from work, I shower (I’m a paramedic). After I shower, I fill the bath and my husband brings me the baby and we usually relax and nurse for 20-30 minutes. It is my wind-down time and it is quiet with few distractions. I love it!
Sarah – If possible, try to arrange a mid-day nursing session. I used a local daycare that I was able to visit at lunch and nurse, rather than pump. It greatly helped my supply and we were able to EBF for 13 months without any supplementation.
Amanda – I asked out childcare provider not to feed our little one within 90 minutes of when I planned to pick up. That way I could nurse as soon as I got there.
Help a Mama Out: Getting the Most Milk Out While Pumping
Alison: Massaging the breasts! That’s the biggest helper for me. Also, leaning over a bit, as gravity can sometimes help.
Nova: Crank it up if you can tolerate it. If your pump has those little white membranes, change them once a month or so.
Sondra: Relax!
Melissa: Whenever I pump at work, I put a little coconut oil on the inside of the pump flanges. This way the inside is lubricated and my areola doesn’t chafe alongside of the plastic flanges.
Laura: If I need to increase volume, I get into a pumping boot camp and spend an hour pumping with 10 minute intervals and 10 minute breaks. Whenever I have a supply dip, this would bring it back within a day or so. Also, I’ve had great output when I watch a comedy where I am laughing out loud. And it never hurts to have my hubby give me a back massage just before pumping or during a break. Also, my supply is related to my water intake, so I make sure to drink a minimum of 100oz per day.
Jen: Pump the full 20 minutes. I always get a late let down of another ounce or so if I wait it out. Also, a hands-free bra is a lifesaver!
Jennifer: A picture of my baby always helped when I was away from him. Focus on him and how much you love him.
Ann: Relax for sure! Lots of deep breathing and looking at photos of my sweet girl’s chubby cheeks.
Sarah: Staying hydrated (lots of water and coconut water) and pumping at the same times each day.
Stacy: Hands-on pumping (massage and compression), staying hydrated, and changing the cycle speed and angle of the flanges.
Veronica: Watching videos of my little one always made a big impact.
Lydia: Warm compresses, relaxed and comfortable, use the correct flange size and check the suction.
Pumpin' PalsAngelica: Pumpin Pals! Made pumping so much more comfortable!
Ria: Massaging my breasts while pumping almost doubled the amount I could get!
Carmen: Hands on pumping! See the Stanford pumping video about maximizing pumping.
Don't miss our Boob Group podcast episode about Maximizing Your Pumping Sessions!
Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work: Roundup
With so many of my friends and breastfeeding support group mamas going back to work by the end of the year, I thought I would do a round-up of my favorite Going Back to Workarticles (written by me, as well as some of my colleagues.)
Here's what you'll find on the San Diego Breastfeeding Center website:
Hi ho, Hi ho, It's Off to Work We Go: Part 1 - Starting the pumping and bottle feeding routine.
Hi ho, Hi ho, It's Off to Work We Go: Part 2 - Making plans with your employer and your rights as a breastfeeding/pumping/working mom.
How Long Does my Breast Milk Stay Fresh? - Take the guesswork out of how long your pumped milk stays fresh. Here are all of the answers you'll need.
Help! I am Going Back to Work and My Baby Won't Take a Bottle! - Top 10 tricks to get your little one to take a bottle before you return to work.
So, You’re Going Back to Work - one of my favorite memoirs from a local breastfeeding, working mom!
Now that you've perused all of our articles (and I can guarantee there are more waiting to be written over the upcoming months), here are a few of my favorite resources beyond our web site:
United States Breastfeeding Committee - FAQ's: Break Time for Nursing Mothers
Kellymom - Links: Working and Pumping Tips