Please tell me about pumping at work!

I'm going back to work in a couple of weeks and I am not ready to stop BFing. It's going really well and I get upset thinking about stopping. My job is busy to say the least. I am really nervous about pumping and finding the time to do it. Is there any advice that you can spare or words of encouragement so I can do this! My goal is to BF for 6 months and I am already almost 3 months in.

Please tell me about pumping at work!

Put an appointment on your calendar for the same time every day. Make sure that your manager knows that this is an appointment that you can't miss and that it needs to happen at the same time or times. Good luck!

Please tell me about pumping at work!

You don't have to stop BF when you return to work. I am busy 1/3 of the time and the days that I was super busy I won't lie...it was hard to find the time to pump but I did it (usually working through lunch those days). I managed to pump at work until DS was 13 months! (I returned 3mos pp).

I would try to set up a schedule (every 3 hours) it will only take about 30 minutes. One of the girls at my job would try to get to work a little early and pump then. Or pump right before going home.

Re: Please tell me about pumping at work!

It's definitely possible. Just let your manager know that you will need about 20 mins every 3 hours.

I like to set everything up before I go to work that way I don't waste a lot of time getting everything together when I'm at work.

Make sure there is a fridge to store your pieces and milk. I also use a ziploc and paper bag to store them all. I put the pieces in the ziploc and then into the paper bag along with the milk and throw the whole package in the fridge.

I would also recommend bringing wipes along to clean pieces. Sometimes the tubes hit the floor after I removes the parts I use a wipe when this happens to keep them clean.

Message edited 4/2/2014 3:15:27 PM.

Re: Please tell me about pumping at work!

i was concerned about pumping at work...i told my male boss i needed to and he didnt care (i think the conversation was more uncomfortable for me then him). i gave him the times and he knew not to bother me. honestly it turned out to be great...it was 20 minutes, 3 times a day, that i was able to close my door and not answer my phone. i actually didnt mind it. setting up and cleaning up did get to be a pain but you figure out what works.
you can definitely do it...good luck!

Please tell me about pumping at work!

If you don't have a hands free pumping bra, definitely get one! DD won't latch so I've been pumping since day one and it's been so much easier since I got the hands free bra. I highly recommend the Simple Wishes one. I'm pumping right now!

Please tell me about pumping at work!

As everyone said block the time out. I had it as a standard meeting.

Re: Please tell me about pumping at work!

Block the time out, hands-free bra. If you have your own office and a hands-free bra you can even do work while you pump! I take calls and do paperwork as I pump every day. Throw your parts in a ziploc and then put them in a cooler or in the fridge between sessions so you don't even need to spend time washing them.

I went back when DS was 6.5 weeks. He is approaching 6 months very shortly and still has only ever had breastmilk. You can definitely do it!

Re: Please tell me about pumping at work!

I know how you feel. I went back to work when DD was 4 months. I am a teacher so, my time is extremely limited. I used all of my prep times and sometimes my lunch to pump. My goal also was to get to 6 months, and here I am, 10 months later, still pumping! It definitely can be done. I bought a mini fridge for my classroom to store my milk and pump parts in between. Because I had such limited time to pump, I found that I didn't even have time to use a hands free bra. It would've taken me too much time to put it on and set everything up. It might work better for you. Good luck!