Going back to work: Pumping

alsier · February 2015

How many times a day do working women typically pump when away from their infants? And for how long do pumping sessions last? I'm planning to go back to work after 3 months of maternity leave. Any advice from any 2nd/3rd/etc-time moms out there?

kbbtah · February 2015

Im also curious where new moms breastfeed if their work doesn't have a "designated area". (I simply REFUSE to pump in a bathroom stall.) Thank u!!

apeschka · February 2015

I usually pumped every two hours in my office for 15-20 minutes. It's federally protected so they have to give you the time and space to do it

klkonwi · February 2015

Most nurses I work with pump 2 to 3 times in 12 hr shifts if that helps at all. Kind of depends if your exclusively pumping or latching on at night time and before you leave for work.

courtyowl427 · February 2015

We a have a pump place at work that has private areas for women. It's accessed only by swipe card. There is also a class I am signed up for about returning to work while breast feeding. I work at the hospital where I am delivering, so it's free to employees.

vic8504 · February 2015

When I first went back after DD I would pump twice a day out of a 9 hour shift. It got to be a pain and I wasn't producing a lot of milk anyways so I ended up going to once a day to stopping around 6 months.

lovemywildgirls · February 2015

I went back to work each time when my girls were 2 months old. I struggled with supply issues both times so I had to be pretty strict about pumping every 2-3 hours. I would probably pump for 15-20mins and I did it in the bathroom. I worked for my family's manufacturing business at the time and could have pumped in my office but just felt more comfortable in the bathroom (single stall and I moved a big comfy chair in there.) My SIL exclusively pumped and she was a milk making machine. I think she only pumped once during her 9 hr shift and it didn't bring down her supply at all.

alsier · February 2015

Thanks guys. I'm a speech-language pathologist, trying to figure out a feasible 4-day therapy schedule with enough breaks for pumping. It's stressful to think about!

bosleyb · February 2015

I usually pumped every 3 hours. Try being an attorney and pumping in random courthouse bathrooms ;-) Thankfully, the one courthouse that was 30 minutes from my office would allow me to pump in the jury room bathroom which was private!

porklump30 · February 2015

I started out pumping 3 times during an 8 hr shift then went down to two when she was 4 or 5 months old. I used an empty office as my pump room.

dkleid · February 2015

alsier said:

How many times a day do working women typically pump when away from their infants? And for how long do pumping sessions last? I'm planning to go back to work after 3 months of maternity leave. Any advice from any 2nd/3rd/etc-time moms out there?

So as long as you are in the States (Not sure what the rules are in other countries), LEGALLY they have to provide you with a place to pump OTHER then a bathroom. I would talk to your HR department about it now. There might be a room that you don't even realize is there for that purpose. It doesnt have to be super fancy, but they do have to provide you with something other then the bathroom stall.

annatta79 · February 2015

3 times a day to start, went down to 2 a few months later and stopped pumping around 6 or 7 months. We nursed when together and he got formula during the day. Part of me wishes I'd pumped longer so we didn't have to do formula, but man, I was so glad to be done pumping! Each session lasted 15-20 minutes, depending on supply and flow.

If you are going to pump, start early! I started trying to pump only about 2 weeks before I went back to work. This meant I had a very small freezer stash and wasn't used to the pump. This time I will start pumping as soon as my milk comes in to help further establish my supply, reacquaint my boobs with the pump and build up a better freezer stash.

mamahawk12 · February 2015

As many other ladies have said... most lactation consultants will tell you that you need to pump every 2 hours while away from your LO to maintain your supply. Personally, I found this to be very true. Even once my kids started eating less frequently, I had to maintain pumping every 2 hours while at work to have enough milk for them the next day. As soon as I started to space them out more, I started to see declines in my milk output... which is STRESSFUL.

I'm very lucky that my office has a very nice dedicated "mothers room" for pumping.

janetsoy · February 2015

Every 2-2.5 hours. Decreasing as the baby gets older and starts eating other foods. Definitely start pumping early to start a supply and if possible do not keep your entire stash in one freezer!! I lost months of saved milk when our freeZer broke. We invested in a small chest freezer for the basement after that to keep things spilt up. Milk lasts longer in a chest freezer anyway since it isn't opened repeatedly throughout the day. Also... Cheap breastmilk bags are just that... Cheap. Anything but the Medela brand and I had a lot of problems with holes in the bags when thawed out.

ChrisLipstick · February 2015

My LO was 6 months old when I went back to work last time. I tried to pump 3x per day (mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon); however, there were always so many urgent things and meeting that it often became 2x or 1x per day. It was also difficult to find a private place to express. I pumped for about 10-15 minutes per side so it depends if you have a single or double pump how long it will take.

I had no idea they had to give me a place to pump. This time around I will be demanding one.

bowloforanges1327 · February 2015

I am a sign language interpreter for the school system and tend to have an ever fluctuating schedule. Some schools accommodated pumping mothers while others said I could use the bathroom if I didn't bother anyone. It ended being easier for me to set up a pumping station in my car. I normally pumped twice a day for 15 to 20 mins during an 8 hour shift.

HoosOnFirst · February 2015

On a resulted topic, has anyone dealt with a hands free pumping bra that cab explain exactly what one is and how it works? I've looked them up on registry sites but still a little fuzzy. I just know my friends recommend one.

annatta79 · February 2015

hoosonfirst said:
On a resulted topic, has anyone dealt with a hands free pumping bra that cab explain exactly what one is and how it works? I've looked them up on registry sites but still a little fuzzy. I just know my friends recommend one.

There are a number of variations. It is a bra that holds the flanges of the pump (the parts that sit on the breast) onto the breast. That way you don't have to hold them with your hands. It is something you would use with an electric pump. You are able to sit and, for example, work on your computer while you pump. Do a quick google search. There are a ton of them out there.

Kelamz · February 2015

Depending on size of your company, they are legally required to provide you with an area (non bathroom, clean, with a door that locks) to pump.

karaelaine1991 · February 2015

@Kelamz, not sure if you're new here, but from 12PM-1PM on Thursdays is our hour of silence for our loss moms. If you'd like to show support, you can head on over to https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12541072/2-26-hour-of-board-silence-12-1-est-for-june-loss-mommas-candle-thread#latest, but otherwise, please refrain from posting to show respect for these ladies.

Kelamz · February 2015

I apologize.

KonaCoffeeBean · February 2015

Kelamz said:
Depending on size of your company, they are legally required to provide you with an area (non bathroom, clean, with a door that locks) to pump.

Yes. I see a lot of advice on this thread that your employer must make certain accommodations for you to pump, but just like FMLA these laws do not cover every person/company. Do your research before you walk into your boss' office making demands.

Want a personalized experience?

Going back to work: Pumping

Re: Going back to work: Pumping

Choose Another Board

Search Boards