Over the years workplaces (even daycares and churches) have taken the actions to set up a breastfeeding or mother-friendly workplaces. Fortunately, I have my own office, so nursing my son at work or even pumping at work wasn’t an issue. But I know several moms that have an issue of not having space to pump or not given the time to pump at work. Thanks to World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) for promoting mommies to work and breastfeed. I thought what a perfect time to share my story about not necessarily breastfeeding at work but being a working mom, pumping and nursing. Breastfeeding doesn’t have to stop when you return back to work. However, it does require A LOT of work and consistency! Especially, if you are a new mom, you already have no idea what you’re doing no matter how many books you’ve read or classes you took. New moms are adjusting to a new baby, a new lifestyle, new changes in their significant other, new changes within themselves, working, maintaining a home, etc. That’s just to name a few. So I figured I would give some tips on how I managed all of this; particularly pertaining to pumping at work.
My Pumping Schedule:
- Nurse baby before daycare
- First Session- Pump around 8:30/9 a.m.
- Second Session- Pump around 12/12:30 p.m.
- Third Session- Pump around 3/3:30 p.m. OR nurse as soon as you pick up baby from daycare.
**Please keep in mind this schedule will change due to your baby’s age and diet. You won’t always get the same amount of milk each time if your baby is a little older and nursing less. Oh! Please don’t forget to create a little sign that lets others now you are pumping. You don’t want to be interrupted.**
What Helps With Getting MORE Milk?
- Water
- Fenugreek Vitamins
- Take 3 tablets/per meal =9-12 tablets a day Take until your milk increases then stop your intake until you need it again.
- Eat more calories
- Fruits
- Oatmeal
- RELAX
- Picture of baby- Yup! A picture of your baby will help your milk flow, especially if you are in a relaxed setting. Nursing or even pumping while tensed causes slow milk flow and low production.
Pump & Store Successfully:
I used Medela products and loved it. I didn’t use their storage bags because it was too expensive and I didn’t get much for my price. Although, I used medela bottles for pumping “KickBack” never drunk out of them (he hated the nipples). It didn’t mimic mine at all.
This is my exact Medela pumping kit. Very pricey but it includes a separate bag to store your milk in with a little ice cooler. With this your milk stays cool for up to 12 hours. I often put my bottle or bags in this cooler and placed the whole cooler in the refrigerator at work.
Purchasing the Medela Easy Expression Bustier Bra is a MUST. You can either buy one or cut two tiny holes in a tight sports bra. Regardless you must have it. It allows you to get work done and multi-task!
You can either put your milk in the bottle or these bags. Be sure to LABEL them. Tip: lay flat when storing them in the freezer.
Quick way to clean your pumping material at work
- Burp Cloth
- Breastfeeding wipes
- Nursing Pads
Below is more information and resources provided by WABA
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In honor of Breastfeeding Week I decided to share the very moment I came and we nursed for the first time (without assistance). 🙂 Apparently after being in the hospital for 5 days and hooked to an IV for a long time it caused my nipples to invert. Which never really was an issue before. So once “KickBack” was born and I was ready to nurse him, I noticed my nipple wouldn’t come out. The nurses attempted to give me a nipple soft shell. But that didn’t really work so then I tried the nipple shield and that was VERY helpful. I used that for about 2 months and had several back ups. However just before nursing him I would try my “own nipple” first or wait until it came out then I would take the shield off and allow him to nurse; just so I could get him to latch on to me and get use to my nipple. This was such an amazing journey I cant wait to share more with you guys about my experience. But I will save that for African-American Breastfeeding Week ♥
Bump.Baby.Bliss. 