What's your pumping routine at work?

Nikkipal82 · July 2014

I am going back to work in 2 weeks, and I'm a little daunted by the idea of pumping at work. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but what's your pumping routing? I have spoken to coworkers who have three sets of parts for each time they pump, but I don't know if that is really necessary (I'd rather not spend the money right now). Do you keep your parts in the fridge? And if so, do you rinse them first? And then are they wet when you go to pump again? Also, do you pump before you leave the house or do you nurse? I work 12 hour shifts, so anyone who does that, I'm particularly interested in how your day goes. I'm probably overthinking this, but I want to be prepared. Thanks!

Unknown · July 2014

This content has been removed.

sparklingdiamond · July 2014

I started back at work on Monday and this is my routine so far.

5:30-6: DS usually wakes up and I nurse him and then pump after.

7-7:30: DS usually wants to eat again so I nurse him again.

10:30: Pump

1:30: Pump

4:30: Pump

Then I nurse him when we get home and throughout the night.

I use the same parts at work all day. I just put them in the fridge and don't rinse them out in between. Then I wash them at the end of the day.

MarieF2 · July 2014

This is my second week back at work.

5:30am-6:00am - nurse DD

9:00AM - Pump

12:00PM - Pump

3:00PM - Pump

And DD usually takes a bottle of BM right before I can make it home from work so I pump again at home at 6:30ish and then nurse at 8pm and through the night.

I have a burp rag in my pump bag and I rinse the pumps and stick them upside down with the rag down in the bag so they dry before the next pump. Then clean everything at the end of the night.

ns1 · July 2014

I haven't gone back yet but will do the same I did with my first.

Feed before leaving the house at 7:00 straight from the tap. Pump at 10:30, 12:30, & 2:30. Leave work and get kiddos at 4:00.

I only use one set of parts. I don't even rinse. I just put them in a bag in the fridge between pumps.

I always have an extra set of parts at work now just in case I forget them (ie - for when I inevitably forget them).

ho11yday · July 2014

When I pumped, I'd just quickly wash the pump parts and throw them back in my pumping bag as I'm sure none of the other staff would want to see them sitting in the fridge. You can get the microwaveable sterilizing bags if you are concerned about your wash job.

I did leave the storage bags in the room where I pumped so they were always available.

On days I worked 12 hours, I took 3 15 minute breaks to pump (what was allowed by my company. Unless I had someone else covering me, I couldn't take more time due to state laws). Tbh, I'd probably take 20 or so until I was needed. I'd pump before I left for work and when I got home.

yepyepsms · July 2014

My routine was similar to PP's but just a couple things to add: I used the Medela quick clean wipes after each pump and stuck the parts in my cooler (our pump room didn't have a fridge at the time so I kept my milk and parts in there).

I usually pumped in the afternoon around three so I was full when we got home around 4:30. Then he usually was asleep by 7pm and I pumped once before going to bed.

Also, this probably isn't advice you're looking for but I'll add anyway:)...I treated my pump time as "me" personal time and wouldn't work. I used it as time to catch up on personal emails to friends, read a mag or book (don't forget to throw in your bag!) or do my shopping list, make doc appts, etc. All that little stuff I never seemed to be able to have time for I got done during that time. So I loved pumping because I treated it like a fun break or productive time rather than a burden. (I only say that because a lot of my friends hated pumping at work and thought it a burden). Also pack snacks in your bag and a bottle of water. I always found myself hungry or
thirsty! I also kept an extra bra and pads in my bag for major leaks as a backup. One coworker kept a pressed extra shirt in our pump room in case she had a bad leak! I didn't but thought it was a good idea!

Lastly, in case you have trouble with let down while away from your baby, make sure you have your phone with you with lots of baby pics and videos and pack a onesie that your LO has worn that smells like he/she. I had trouble with let down the first couple weeks and that helped me a lot.

SecondTimeinMSU · July 2014

I am a June Mom turned May Mom so I've been back to work for 2 days now but so far I am planning on pumping a 9:45am, 12:15pm and 3pm which is what I did with my first son. I usually just do a quick rinse of the horns and toss them in a bag then clean more thoroughly at home. I also have a hands free pumping bra that I put on over my nursing bra and eat lunch while I pump so that I can spend more time on the midday pump. I have two sets of parts but that is because I leave one pump at work since I still have the pump I got when I had DS#1. We have different health insurance this time so it was $50 to get a new pump but I worried what if the old pump broke down and $50 wasn't bad for the convenience of now having to haul the pump back and forth when i have enough stuff to deal with the the morning with two kids. As for the morning pump it depends on the schedule and how well DS sleeps if I think I can make it until the first morning break or if I feel full I'll squeeze in a pump.

Sarac2288 · July 2014

I go back to work in a few weeks still but do you take bottles for each pump break or take bags to pour into? And how long does it take you each break?

ns1 · July 2014

Sarac2288 said:
I go back to work in a few weeks still but do you take bottles for each pump break or take bags to pour into? And how long does it take you each break?

I bring bags. Less stuff. I took 15 minute breaks including set up and clean up. They usually actually lasted 20 minites though when it came down to it. But I am lucky and can get a good amount pretty quickly.

sparklingdiamond · July 2014

I bring a cooler bag and use the 5 oz Medela bottles to pump into and store during the day. Mine probably last about 15 min eac

sws684 · July 2014

Following. I go back tomorrow. Thanks y'all!

flutepharm87 · July 2014

I work 13hr shifts, so this might be helpful. I only have 1 set of parts since I'm cheap, although I can see where having one set of parts per pump session would significantly cut down on pump time. Anyway, I work in a retail pharmacy so I have to be quick. I drop Robbie off at daycare or with DH's grandma (depending on the day), at around 7. Once I get where he's staying, I nurse him and then head off to work. I open the store by 8am and have my pumping stuff/lunch with me. Pump breaks are in our break room. I pump every 3 hours (4 times a shift). I bring everything back at 10am and pump. I generally eat something while I pump with a hands-free pumping bra and pump for 10 minutes. I rinse the parts when I'm done and put the dirty parts in a Medela steam bag (you get 20 uses per bag, 5 per box for about $15). I leave the breast milk in the break room fridge along with my lunch. I bring the ice packs in my coolers and my parts back with me to the pharmacy. Ice bricks go in the freezer (shh!) and I steam sterilize my parts in the pharmacy microwave so they're clean for next time. I dry off the parts before pumping after they're sterilized. I follow the same procedure for the rest of the pumps. On the last pump, I gather all my stuff and bring it all packed up back to the pharmacy with me. I leave the parts dirty. When I get home, I bag freeze the milk and DH cleans my pump parts and collection bottles. It's really not bad pumping at work, you just have to find a routine that works for you and stick with it! Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

What's your pumping routine at work?

Re: What's your pumping routine at work?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards