Five Tips for Pumping at Work
Erica Campbell, BSN, RN, IBCLC
This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's.
Going back to work is a major milestone for any postpartum parent that comes with so many emotions. Parents may be a mix of happy, sad, anxious and excited. No matter what you're feeling, it's ok to remember that going back to work after having a new baby is a huge adjustment. Managing a job and a new baby can be stressful, especially if you're breast pumping. To help prepare, here are five major tips for incorporating pumping into your work schedule.
1) Prepare as Early as Possible
There are many things you can do to prepare early—even before you have your baby—to help manage your pumping needs at work. First, communicate with your manager to make sure you have a clean and private space to breast pump, along with adequate breaks in your schedule. The Fair Labor Standards Act from the Department of Labor provides various rights to those pumping at work. Once you determine the space you plan to breast pump at work, consider the facility and accommodations. Ask yourself, "Will you have access to a fridge? Do you have a clean place to wash or store your pump parts? Do you have a place to sit with an accessible plug?" You may find it helpful to speak with other moms in your office to determine what has worked for them and what additional accessories or parts you may want to bring from home to help with the experience. Before you go back to work, do a trial run at home using only the supplies you plan to bring with you to work each day. During your practice session, notice what goes well and what doesn't. Take note of things that you used and things that you feel could be added to your routine to make it easier.
2) Communicate With Your Team
Once you are back at work, you'll want to share your pumping schedule needs with your manager so they can help support you and ensure your pump sessions run smoothly. If you have the type of job that requires coverage during breaks, working with your team to determine how best to handle this is helpful. You may also want to voluntarily share where you plan to clean your pump parts and store your milk, especially if it's in a shared space like an office kitchen, conference room, or lactation room, so that these spaces remain clean and accessible. Additionally, this helps others know where to find you in case of an emergency.
3) Have All the Accessories and Extras
It can be helpful to have an extra set of pump parts designated for work, so you don't have to worry about forgetting a part when commuting back and forth from home to your office. Make sure to purchase extra flanges, tubing, membranes, valves, and bottles. When it comes to clothing, make sure to do a run through of how pumping will work with your outfit as you may want to pack a pumping bra or wear a nursing tank for easy access.
4) Utilize Any Safe and Appropriate Shortcuts
When it comes to cleaning your parts, there are several options to help speed up the process. You can purchase sanitizing bags or quick cleaning wipes that will make pump part cleaning quick and efficient. You can also consider purchasing a THIRD set of pump parts so you can use a new set of parts each time you pump rather than having to wash everything before each session. Always do your research and use your best judgment to ensure any shortcuts that you've researched online are safe and appropriate!
5) Set Your Alarms
Fortunately, our bodies come with an alarm clock, and your breasts will tell you when it's time to pump. If they don't, or if you just want to be ahead of schedule, set alarms on your phone or your work calendar to remind you to pump and ensure you have enough time for a successful pump break.
These are five quick tips for pumping at work, and hopefully they will help you as you transition back into navigating your career as a mother!
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.