Intro, and what's your routine for pumping at work?

SamanthaJoD · April 2014

Hi all, I'm returning to work on Monday after 12 weeks of maternity leave. I had twin girls in February. I'm a software engineer and I expect to be working between 40-50 hours per week. DH is in between jobs so he'll be home with the kids for now. I like my work, I like making money, love my coworkers, but I do wish I didn't have to leave the babies! I hope I can do this!

Just wondering about others' pumping routines... where do you pump? for how long? how many times per day? do you work while pumping? where do you wash the pump parts after? where do you let them dry?

My HR lady says she's got a room lined up for me and my boss is super cool and supportive, thank goodness! Not sure what I'm going to do with the dirty pump parts after I'm done though. I guess wash them in the kitchen sink and maybe dry with a paper towel or something. Kinda awkward with the majority of my coworkers being guys.

Also, does anyone pump while driving in the car? Would love to hear your experiences with that as well.

Thanks!

SamanthaJoD · April 2014

I like the plastic bag and fridge solution for storing pump parts in between sessions. Maybe I'll try that!

Also...this may be a silly question....but do you undress and put on your pumping bra before pumping? Or do you wear the pumping bra all day?

CarrieB. · April 2014

I work from 7:15 to 4:30 every day and I nurse at 5:30am before I leave and then I pump at 7:30, 10:30 and 1:30. It usually takes me about 15 minutes to pump including all the set up. I also keep all the parts and bottles in a lunch bag cooler thing in the fridge and do not clean them until I get home.

I wear a normal nursing bra and use the hair tie trick to be a little more hands free. But I'm not working while I pump. I usually just Bump and look at Facebook.

TheBorg7of9 · April 2014

If you get the dairy fairy bra, you don't have to change bras at all. I just got mine and it's awesome!

litzo27 · April 2014

My LO is same age. I work from home three days a week and the other two I nurse before leaving the house then pump at work 3 hours later, then another time 4 hours later and then nurse when I get home. I pump for about 20 minutes. I get a letdown right away and could be done in 10 but like to get a second one. I don't wash between the pumping sessions. Either just rinse or stick in fridge as is. And then I throw them into a rubber tote and wash at home. A handsfree bra is great. I don't wear it under the clothing - just out on for pumping. I both work and Facebook/email at that time. Also Lansinoh heating pads are great.

CHS2005 · April 2014

As one pp mentioned, Medea has good "on the go" cleaning wipes for pumping parts, but having multiple sets will help.

Also, if you pump while driving (I did all the time), you will get a lot more power if you get a traditional plug insert that will work in your cigarette lighter/power outlet, and then plug your pump in as normal. That way it uses electrical power as it normally would and not battery power, which to me felt less effective. Also, no replacing batteries all the time.

dashofreality · April 2014

I agree PPs. I used to pump 3x a day at work, I hated pumping so I never pumped outside of that. But if I had to give my kids a little formula, I never thought it would be the end of the world.

- Medela wipes cut in half then parts back in your cooler that also doubles as your carrying case (male coworkers get skeeved by BM in the office fridge)

- I highly recommend the Playtex adapter kit. You can pump right into the drop-in liners for cheaper then the storage bags. They come with caps and I never had them leak, which the storage bags always do. And no bottles to wash.

-Work and pump as much as you can.

molisar · April 2014

We have a quiet room where mom's can pump. I try to pump every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. I just bring some non-scented baby wipes to wipe my stuff down.

I also recommend an extra shirt at your office. The other day I had to go a little too long without pumping and leaked all over my shirt. Embarrassing.

ksonne · April 2014

I work 6:30-4:30 most days. I do a dream feed at 5:30 before leaving and pump to empty my breasts before leaving too. I then pump at 8:30, 11:30, 2:30. I usually pump about 15 minutes and usually try for that second let down around the 8-10 minutes mark.

Just like pp, I wipe my parts off and store in the fridge between pumps.

Some extra things to keep at work: Medela cleaning wipes in case you drop anything on the floor, spare bags so if you forget bottles you can pump into bags, a manual pump so if you forget any pieces of your electric pump you have a back up ready.

shannm · April 2014

I only had to feed one baby at a time but I pumped twice a day, sometimes three if my supply was dipping. With my first, i pumped in a restroom. with my second, i used a dedicated room for nursing moms. i didn't wash the parts in between, breast milk is good at room temp for a number of hours. I just wiped the parts off and put them in a plastic bag till the next time. I then just hand washed well at night in hot soapy water.

SamanthaJoD · April 2014

Thanks everyone for the awesome tips and for sharing your experiences. I think I have a pretty good idea of how to handle pumping at work now! Thanks so much!

Want a personalized experience?

Intro, and what's your routine for pumping at work?

Re: Intro, and what's your routine for pumping at work?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards