Waitressing, to pump or not to pump supply issues?

ickle_monkey

I'm planning on going back to work part time as a waitress in a couple of weeks time.  I've been pumping and storing a stash of BM, because my hubby will be taking care of LO in the evenings.

I will normally work from 4 p.m. till around 11 p.m. three times a week.  Am I going to have to pump at some point during this shift in order to keep my supply up or will I be ok waiting till I get home to pump? The reason I ask is that normally there's only 2 of us on shift at one time, so it's going to be hard to pump prior to 9 p.m. I'd have to wait till buisness slows down.  BF and pumping are going really well and I don't want my supply to dry up!

 Does anyone have any advice or is any one in a similar situation?  What do you do?!

 TIA 

crysmike

To keep up with your LO, you'll really need to pump whenever they eat. So, yes.

SnoopyLuv

I'm sure it's been done but I can't imagine trying to pump while serving. It usually takes at least 20 minutes to pump, will you be able to be completely unavailable during that time? Will you feel comfortable storing your milk in a walk in? Will you be able to use the managers office and not just a bathroom to pump?

You might be able to train your body to deal with only pumping at the very tail end of the shift, but the issue becomes painful engorgement and leaking while you adjust. I know at 4 months I was still leaking everywhere if I didn't feed/pump every 4 hours.

aoaokay

I am also a waitress and to answer your question, absolutely. I go in at four and pump around seven if I am going to be there past nine. By eight your boobs will probably feel horrible anyway. It's not so bad, I mean you miss out on a few tables but I think it's worth it to be able to continue breastfeeding. I have been working three nights a week for the past three months and have managed to keep up, given I pump a few times every day. Hth.

ickle_monkey

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'm gonna have to find the time to pump!  Shock horror, actually take a break!!!  My pump only takes 10 mins, so I guess they can survive without me for that long!!!

Wilwarin

ickle_monkey:

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'm gonna have to find the time to pump!  Shock horror, actually take a break!!!  My pump only takes 10 mins, so I guess they can survive without me for that long!!!

I have a Freestyle and it take me nearly 20.  I don't how you are completely emptying your breasts in only 10.

ickle_monkey

eek maybe i'm not doing it properly, I have the ameda pump.  I'll read the instructions again....

Wilwarin

ickle_monkey:

eek maybe i'm not doing it properly, I have the ameda pump.  I'll read the instructions again....

Oh!  I didn't mean to imply that you were doing it wrong!  It's just that many women will have a second let down near the 15 minute mark.  After that, I would consider my breasts "empty".  Try it and see if that is case for you, too.

I should've added that in my original post.  I hope you get a chance to read this!