Expressing Breast Milk at Work
How Breastfeeding Working Moms Can Overcome Pumping Fears
Many new mothers are nervous about the idea of pumping after they return to work. A little bit of advanced preparation can help them to be successful.
For many new mothers, one of the biggest questions they have is how to continue breastfeeding when they return to work. Breastfeeding is still so new to first time mothers that pumping in a public place can seem overwhelming. With a little planning you can continue to provide your newborn with breast milk after you return to work.
Purchase a Hospital Grade Pump
The first thing you have to do if you want to successfully provide your newborn with pumped breast milk while you are at work is to rent or buy a hospital grade electric pump. If you are pumping full time a hand pump or lower grade electric pump will set you up for failure. Hand pumps will not allow you to express the amount of milk you need to keep up your milk supply and will quickly tire your hands. Lower grade electric pumps will not effectively empty your breast at each pumping session and will in time dwindle your milk supply.
Hospital grade pumps are expensive but when you consider the high cost of infant formula it is far cheaper in the long run. You can rent a hospital grade pump from your local hospital or contact a lactation consultant in your area for other options. A hospital grade pump will help you to keep up your milk supply while you are working and will help to quickly empty your breast, making overall pumping sessions shorter.
Set Aside a Private Place to Pump
Arrange for a private place to pump before your baby is born. All companies are required by law to provide their employees with a private location to pump breast milk during the work day. This may be an office with a locking door or a private sitting area. Some of the more progressive companies offer a pumping room specifically set aside for nursing mothers. Where ever you will plan on pumping, make sure that it is a private area, preferably with a locking door, and is conveniently located for frequent pumping sessions. It is important that you feel comfortable with the location that you have chosen. Tension prevents you from effectively expressing breast milk and can hinder your ability to provide your baby with pumped milk while you are at work.
Be Open With Your Coworkers
As awkward as it may feel at first, it is important to let your coworkers know that you plan on pumping breast milk when you return to work after your baby is born. This will help your coworkers to understand why you are taking frequent breaks during the work day. Most people are very understanding of nursing mothers and will do whatever they can to help you meet your goal of providing breast milk to your baby while you are at work. Before each pumping session let someone know where you will be going so no one will come looking for you while you are pumping. The best way to prevent someone walking in on you while you are pumping is to make it clear where you are and what you are doing. If you are still nervous about having someone walk in on you while you are pumping you can put a discreet note on the door letting your coworkers know that you are taking a break inside.
