While this is a wonderful accomplishment, navigating work and parenting can be a struggle, especially around being able to pump breastmilk while outside of the home. A considerate working mom’s pumping schedule can really help to ensure that you and your baby can still experience the health benefits of breastmilk while you are at work.
Products, such as the Momcozy Electric Breast Pump, have really changed the game for moms to be! The design of having a discreet breast pump allows you to express milk comfortably and quietly, even during the hustle and bustle of a work day. With the right setup, schedule, and mindset, you can achieve a healthy and low-stress breastfeeding experience.
Why Pumping at Work is a Challenge
Women frequently face unforeseen challenges when returning to work while nursing. The most common challenges are:
- Time Constraints: Overscheduled meetings and deadlines may interrupt pumping times.
- Privacy: Not all employers have a designated break lactation area, or a space that is safe, clean and private.
- Emotional Strain: Many mothers feel awkward asking for time to pump or could be worried about managing their supply.
- Physical Demand: Pumping necessary equipment, cleaning parts and storing milk adds another layer of responsibility.
However, keep in mind that you are fully entitled to pump at work despite these challenges.
Workplace Logistics and Setup
Before your return to work, you should prepare your workspace and pumping schedule, which will enhance your comfort, efficiency, and cleanliness. Some things to think about:
Choosing the Right Location:
- Contact HR or your manager to find out if you can use a private office that locks or a lactation room.
- If you cannot find a private lactation room, ask to use a conference room or quiet area during breaks.
Safely Storing Breast Milk:
- If you are unable to locate a refrigerator, place the milk in a small cooler bag or insulated tote with ice packs.
- Mark your milk storage bags with the date and time for easier retrieval at home.
Important Pumping Supplies:
- You can pump milk hands-free or ambulatory by using a hands-free or discrete breast pump (Momcozy for example).
- Stock up on extra bottle tops, wipes, or pump parts for easy clean-up.
- A nursing wrap and breast pads will ensure that you are comfortable and will have confidence in your own skin.
Pro tip: Create a working “pump station” kit. Keeping a stash of supplies at your desk or in a locker will save time and stress.
How to Talk to Your Boss or HR
To create a solid pumping plan, you must communicate effectively. You are advocating for your health and the health of your baby now, so discuss pumping with confidence.
How to start this conversation:
- Before you return from pregnancy leave, have a quick meeting with your boss or with HR.
- Be clear and specific about what you will need. Explain that you will need to pump two or three times during the day, about fifteen to twenty minutes each time. Offer solutions, A private space or idea of when is most convenient for you.
- Stay professional and upbeat; frame it as a routine that is productive versus an inconvenience.
When you arrive politely and prepared, most employers understand the importance and will be accommodating.
How to Create Your Pumping Schedule to Balance Work and Milk
Creating a pumping plan for working mothers is crucial to sustain their breast milk supply and to facilitate comfortable feeding experiences. The aim is to emulate your baby’s natural feeding routine as closely as possible.
Example Working mother Pumping Plan
This is an example of a rough outline of your entire 8-hour workday (you can modify it as needed).
- Before work (morning) – Nurse or pump sometime between 6:30 am-7:00 am before leaving for work.
- Break-mid morning – Pump sometime around 10:00 am, which reflects a baby’s mid-morning feed.
- Break-lunch – Pump again around 1:00 pm, take a mental break to relax and hydrate.
- Break-afternoon – Pump again sometime around 4:00 pm before heading home.
- After work (evening) – Nurse your infant shortly after arriving home, this will help with bonding and breastmilk supply.
If you have a longer trip, consider using a discreet or wearable breast pump to maximise your pumping routine.
Crucial Advice for Sustaining Supply
- Try to establish a consistent routine since your body responds to consistent times of expression.
- To enhance Let-down, gently massage your breasts any time before and during pumping.
- To support milk supply, drink plenty of fluids, especially water and eat a nourishing meal.
- Aim to pump for 15 to 20 minutes total or until your breasts feel empty.
Note: It is normal for milk production to dip a little in the afternoon. Milk supply may build over time based on consistency and relaxation.
Strategies for Weekend Pumping
The weekend can be utilized for relaxing, recharging, and replenishing, but it is important to keep pumping, especially if you are bottle feeding during the work week.
Here are some tips for managing your weekend:
- When you can, nurse: Feeding regularly builds your supply and targets bonding with your baby.
- Pump feeds post morning breastfeed: This is a good time to build a stash of milk as this is when you will typically have the most milk available.
- Prepping for the week ahead: You can freeze or refrigerate portions of milk for Monday and double check batteries, bags, and all of the pump parts.
- And again, take a break: You can slightly decrease your pumping routine and you may get engorged or clogged, but if you have a good stash you should never stop cold turkey.
It’s also a good weekend to try out different flange sizes, levels of pumping comfort, or new accessories to help you get more comfortable during the week.
Conclusion
Managing work outside of the home while taking on motherhood is no small feat and one that needs your support, resources, and intentionality. By creating a pumping schedule for working mothers, maintaining open and honest communication with your employer, and equipping your workplace with the tools you need, expressing breast milk can become a simple and empowering part of your workday.
And while we are at it, there is technology that makes it all even easier! The Momcozy Electric Breast Pump offers moms a discreet pumping solution to express breast milk whenever and wherever they would like and at work without impacting their work.
