Tag: breastfeeding at work

Breastfeeding, pumping & work

The thing that stressed me out the most about going back to work was whether or not I would still be able to breastfeed my little one.

I pumped from day one so I could provide milk for his NICU stay, and I waited for the “6-week zone” where baby and I would finally get into sync with less pain for me and plenty of supply for him. This didn’t happen until the 10-week point just as I was going back to work, but I give more credit to better pumping supplies. I had the basic “top of the line” Medela pump (affiliate link:  http://amzn.to/1CD3Gb9) recommended by friends, and it did the job, but I had sore, cracked nipples and didn’t care for breastfeeding or pumping in that condition. It was also hard trying to balance feedings and pumping, if I’m being honest.

Around 9 weeks, I read about Freemies, an add-on for any brand pump that eliminates the need for the horn and bottle set up. These things (affiliate link: http://amzn.to/1EGiyb7) worked great for me. I could close my office door and pump while still taking conference calls, answering phones and email. I also recall one chaotic moment when traveling where I had a Freemie hooked to one breast, a baby on the other and a friend’a two-year old little one snuggled under my arm because she needed the same attention as the baby at the moment. I am not generally keen on whipping out my breasts to feed the baby, but this all occurred as the four adults caught up after many years apart.

Ultimately, breastfeeding and pumping after going back to work has been the most challenging of all new mom learning curves for me. There are several ways to tackle this issue, and many resources available to help. The one I didn’t tap into was a lactation consultant. I don’t know if it was stubbornness or pride or what, but if I had it to do over again, I think I’d have the consultant in my labor and delivery room! Lol.

Update: Some women I’ve talked to had difficulties convincing their employers they needed an appropriate space to pump when they returned from having their babies. Here’s the legal basis for employers providing a private, sanitary location for breastfeeding women to pump and store milk: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinFederalLaw/tabid/175/Default.aspx.

The transition

I prolonged going back to work as long as I could with my 6-week convalescence and another almost month of saved up vacation time. But the best decision of all… we saved my husband’s paternity leave–roughly two weeks offered by his job–until after my time was up. 

This allowed me to continue breastfeeding in the middle of the day when they would visit me at work. Sure, I pumped when I could, but getting to nurse midday was mentally and physically beneficial for Mom and Baby.