 How to fit
Pumping into your Work Schedule
If you know other women in your workplace who have pumped milk
for their babies, talk to them about the problems they encountered
and how they solved them.
If you run into obstacles, look for solutions. Be flexible, consider
your employer's needs as well as your own, and you should be able
to solve problems that arise. Remember that you're doing this for
your baby--so that she can continue to have the very best nourishment,
as well as the security of breastfeeding when the two of you can
be together.
- How often to pump. You will need to pump about as often as
your baby nurses, in other words, every two to three hours. If
you work an eight-hour day, this means pumping at mid- morning,
at lunch and at mid-afternoon. If your workday is shorter, you
will need fewer pumping sessions; if it's longer, you'll need
more. As baby begins to take solid food and nurses less, toward
the end of the first year, you will be able to cut back on your
pumping. If you pump both breasts at the same time, allow 15-20
minutes for pumping and clean-up. Allow 30 minutes if you pump
each breast separately.
- Where will you pump? At your desk? In the ladies' room? Can
you borrow an office or use an empty room to pump in privacy?
Ideally, the place you pump will have an outlet so you can plug
in an electric pump and running water for washing pump parts.
You'll also need a comfortable chair and a table for your equipment,
your lunch, or any paperwork you might want to look at while you're
pumping.
- Finding time to pump. If you have regular breaks at work, these
will become your pumping times. If your schedule is unpredictable,
the need to pump may help you become more disciplined. If you
are using an electric pump, it's possible to read or eat lunch
while pumping, even double-pumping.
- Where will you store the milk? A refrigerator where you can
store expressed milk is handy, though you can substitute ice packs
and a cooler.
- Alternatives to consider. Pumping isn't your only option. Perhaps
you can visit your baby and breastfeed at the caregiver's house
during your lunch break. Or, maybe your baby can visit you at
work. Can you work partime hours for a few months, so that you
won't need to pump as often? Can you do some of your work at home?
With a baby in your life, you'll find creative ways to get your
work done while also mothering your baby.
- Ease-into the new routine. Traditionally, Monday is the day
for starting new projects. So consider returning to your job on
a Wednesday or a Thursday. You'll be less exhausted when the weekend
arrives. Then you'll have two days to rest up before the workday
routine begins again. Many women arrange to work only three or
four days a week while their children are small. With the kind
of time that mothers put in caring for babies and children after-hours,
they certainly don't have to apologize for not working a full
40-hour week.
- Make your morning getaway easier. A baby adds a new wrinkle
to the getting-ready-for-work routine. There's more stuff to manage,
and more potential interruptions. Here are some tips to help get
you to the job on time.
- Set your alarm early so that you can nurse the baby before
you get out of bed. Then you can shower and dress with fewer
interruptions.
- Get things ready the night before: pack the baby's bag,
have bottles of milk ready in the refrigerator, make your
lunch, pick your clothing, be sure your breast pump is clean
and ready to go.
- Make getting to bed at a reasonable hour a priority.
- Take the baby to the sitter's in his pajamas.
- Get a wash-and-go haircut to cut down on time spent in
front of the bathroom mirror.
- If you're not back into your pre-pregnancy wardrobe, invest
in a few basic pieces that coordinate with each other and
that flatter your new mommy figure. Nothing is worse than
starting the day feeling fat, with nothing to wear.
- Plan to nurse the baby one more time at the sitter's before
going to work. Your breasts will be empty and you'll feel
more relaxed when you finally arrive on the job.
- Enjoy a happy departure and a happy reunion. Breastfeed your
baby at home or at the caregiver's before leaving for work and
as soon as you return home. This maximizes your baby's feedings
at the breast and minimizes the amount of pumping you'll have
to do. Plan ahead for the first return-from-work meeting. Ask
your caregiver not to feed baby a bottle within an hour of your
anticipated arrival. Arriving with full breasts only to find your
baby sound asleep, with a full tummy does not make for a happy
mother-baby reunion. If baby is hungry or you're going to be late,
instruct your caregiver to feed him just enough to hold him over
until you arrive. When you get home from work, take some time
to reconnect with your baby. Take the phone off the hook, change
into comfortable clothes, turn on relaxing music, and nestle down
with your baby in your favorite nursing corner and get reconnected.
- Gain the support of your co-workers. Your colleagues at work
may make comments about your frequent breaks, your pump, the milk
stored in the refrigerator, or the time you spend with your baby.
This can make some mothers feel uncomfortable and can lead to
resentment and problems between co-workers. Here are some suggestions
for heading off comments and enlisting the support of the people
you work with.
- Use humor. Laugh off any teasing that comes your way.
- Endeavor to be discreet in the workplace. Some people are
clueless and will never guess what you're keeping in the lunch
bag on the refrigerator shelf.
- Cite a medical reason for continuing to breastfeed, such
as "My baby is allergic to formula." (This isn't
necessarily a lie, since most babies, we believe, have at
least some type of allergy to formula.) By claiming a medical
reason, you prevent putting a guilt trip on the co-workers
who chose not to continue breastfeeding.
- Share information about the benefits of breastfeeding,
especially the ones that are important to you. ("My husband
has terrible allergies, but breastfeeding will lessen the
risk of our baby having allergies." Or "Six months
old and no ear infections yet!") If you've missed work
because of the flu, point out that your baby had only a mild
case--or no problems at all--because of the antibodies in
your milk.
- Talk about how breastfeeding at home and pumping at work
help you feel connected to your baby.
- Acknowledge and thank people for the times when they've
covered for you while you've been pumping or feeding your
baby. Return the favor when they need your help.
- Listen with sympathetic interest when co-workers share
their breastfeeding stories with you-- especially when breastfeeding
didn't work out in their families. Acknowledge that they did
the best they could under the circumstances.
- Wow them with facts and figures about breastfeeding, or
just tell them that you're continuing to breastfeed because
your pediatrician--and the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommend it.
- Take care of yourself. Faced with the demands of a job and
a baby, you may find you can accomplish little else beyond doing
your job and taking care of your little one. This is a completely
realistic expectation. The one thing you should not neglect is
taking care of yourself. Fortunately, breastfeeding can help you
do this.
When you get home from work, head for the bedroom and nurse while
you rest lying down. If you and baby can take a short nap, the whole
family will have a more pleasant evening. Have a quick and nutritious
snack, so that there's no pressure to start dinner right away, and
enjoy being with your baby. If you have an older child, include
her in this reunion.
You'll need to simplify your life at home as much as possible,
so that you can devote your attention to your baby and the rest
of your family, rather than to laundry, shopping, cleaning, cooking,
and organizing. By keeping it simple, your mate can more happily
do his share. If you can afford it, you can pay someone to do many
of these tasks for you. Some things--like washing windows or ironing
clothes--you can simply ignore for a few years. While you're working
around the house, carry baby in a baby sling so that you can enjoy
some time together while you water the plants or sort laundry.
Legal Disclaimer:
The information provided in this site is not a substitute
for professional medical opinion. It is provided for informational
and educational purposes. These statements are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent disease
Informational Links to:
Breast Pumping Tips
Thrush and Remedies
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