Returning to work in 2 weeks and EP, any tips?

Imanurse03

I'm returning to work as a nurse in about 2 weeks.  I'll be working every Monday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in an outpt surgery center.  I was actually laid off while on bedrest during my pregnancy because of downsizing.  But they called me back to see if I wanted to return to work there since the schedule has gotten busy again. 

We'll have our DS in a daycare center 2 days a week.  I'm anxious about leaving him with strangers but we really liked the daycare.  I'm sure every mom has some degree of anxiety when first returning to work. 

I also EP and so any tips to make it easier to do at work?  I've read to have an extra set of breast shields and supplies at work in case you forget to bring them on a given day.  I have a double electric breast pump, so hopefully that will make pumping easy at work.  I've also read to leave the used breast pump parts in the fridge so you don't have to worry about washing them at work.  I typically wear a hands-free pumping bra.  Should I just bring a bra to work and leave it at work?  I also thought about wearing it over a nursing bra so that I don't have to fool with it during the day at work.  Just curious as to what others do.  TIA!

megs68

I use a hands-free bra but just keep it in my pump bag.  I just pull my regular bra up and put the hands-free on.  I don't generally wear nursing bras anymore.

I definitely recommend keeping your pump parts in the fridge so you don't have to deal with washing them out.  I bought a pretty large lunch bag from Target to keep my pump parts in a ziploc bag plus my bottles in. 

I prepare everything the night before - the empty bottles, the pump parts, etc, so I don't have to run around in the morning collecting everything and run the risk of forgetting something.  I don't keep extras at work, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to do so. 

The biggest recommendation I have is to make sure you set aside time in your day.  It's so easy to get caught up in your work and put off pumping but you need to make sure you block out times in your day to pump and make it a routine.  

Ms5586

You might want to set an alarm on a watch/phone or something so you don't "forget" to pump. 

It sounds like you have a good basis of the tips and tricks.  The only thing I would suggest is having a set of the pump parts that stays at work, rather than an extra set, plus you bring the ones from home (just in case you would leave them at work accidentally).  I love knowing that I have all my parts at work, at my desk.

I EP, and never actually bought a hands free bra.  I still might, but it seems like a pain to take one off, put another on, take it off, put my regular bra on...

And if you have a smartphone and Netflix, make sure you get their app...it makes the time go so much faster.

mobiz

i never had a hands free bra when i was pumping for DS and i regret it.  i still would try and flip through a magazine or do something on my phone one-handed while using my arm to brace the pump in place. seems silly now--a bra would have been helpful.

i had two sets of parts and would take them back and forth but didn't have to worry about washing as much.

i'm assuming you'll be in scrubs so this isn't an issue.....but it was always better when i was wearing a top/skirt or top/pants when needing to pump vs. wearing a dress. with a dress you pretty much have to take the whole thing off and get naked! ha.  so wear clothes that are easy to slip on and off as needed.

you'll get in a groove with it and see what works for you. GL!

everam01

I keep my handsfree bra in my pumping bag.

I don't bring an extra set, but I do keep the parts in the fridge between uses. I also keep a package of quick clean wipes in my bag just in case. 

 

futuremrsmcnichols

Also a nurse and former EPer.

I only brought one set of pump parts. I had a designated 'pump bag'- just one of those freebie diaper bags from Similac that you get at the hospital. I had one set of all the parts, hands-free bra, pump, milk storage bags, and gallon-sized freezer bags.

When I was done pumping, I would pour the milk into the storage bags in 4oz increments, and then put the parts into a ziploc bag and put both into my lunch bag in the fridge. I don't know how often you will need to pump, but I work in ER and don't have any sort of predictability in schedule. I work 12 hour shifts, but only had to pump once a shift,  sometimes 2 but it was always right at the end.

I brought my pump bag home every night, never had a designated 'work' pump/parts/bra.