Pumping at work tips

gmk1784 · September 2015

I have to go back to work on 9/28. Does anyone have any tips for pumping at work?

They have a nice room set up for me to use and I went out today and bought extra storage bags and pump bottles to keep there. I also plan on taking in a hand towel to put over my lap while I pump so I don't drip on my work clothes. Anything else I should know or do?

dstreley · September 2015

You can put used parts in a zip lock bag in a refrigerator and use them again during your next pumping session if you're pumping more than once a day.

pandd10513 · September 2015

Bring a blanket or onesie that smells all baby delicious to help stimulate the milk flow. Or look at pics or videos of your baby on your phone while you pump. It helps!

benmichele · September 2015

Massage your breasts toward the nipple as you pump to stimulate flow.

babyperrin · September 2015

Things I learned from week one of pumping at work:

-TRIPLE check you have EVERY part of your pump before walking out the door in the morning. Nothing ruins a Friday more than having to clock out and drive home just to get your pump.

-Make sure you have sanitizing wipes and kleenex. Trust me, you'll need them.

-YES YES YES bring zip lock bags and use the fridge to store your parts until you're ready to use them again. It helps so much.

-OR: use the medela sanitizing wipes. I love them and they help get from session to session quick and easy without having to run to the bathroom to clean your parts each time.

-Bring as many extra parts as you have. It makes cleaning so easy.

-Accept that you'll spend every single night cleaning endless amounts of bottles and pump parts.

- Lastly, but most importantly, pumping comes first. Your breastfeeding goals are more important than your work. I apologized in advance to my boss and co-workers and tried to get them to understand exactly why I have to spend so much time a day pumping. My son eats a TON and I have to keep up my supply, so I'm pumping 3 times a day for about 20 minutes each. Usually my job wouldn't be so accommodating, but I laid down the law and I am doing what is best for me and my baby.

ecloho · September 2015

YES!! @babyperrin Amen to that last part!!!!

kmode13 · September 2015

Olive oil for the flanges, gives some lubrication so the pump does not run as much!

schuenk2 · September 2015

Great question and great answers! I am also going back the 28th

and this was helpful.

Knottie99627423 · September 2015

Just wanted to mention that the ACA states that workplaces are required to allow women to take as many pump breaks as they need without repercussions.

BerlyTown · September 2015

My employer gives us 2 twenty minute breaks to pump, so I pump for 15 minutes, pour my milk in a storage bag, throw pump parts in a zip lock and throw it all in the fridge. I use my lunch break to get in a longer pump session. It's a pain, but worth it!

v&druston · September 2015

My tip is to set an alarm or some sort of reminder on your phone (or computer) to remind you when it is time to pump. If you are anything like me, my morning would fly by because I was busy & I would miss my pumping time.

sheebee82 · September 2015

I work 12 hour shifts and pump 4x a day. Pick your times and stick with them! If you put off just one pumping session it will be SOOO easy to put off the rest! I do the same - rinse pump parts and place in ziplock bag in fridge. I feel a little creepy watching videos of baby while pumping, but it helps with letdown.

How many OZ are you all able to pump during a session?? I average about 3-3.5 each, with one that is nearly double that in the AM. Wondering if it's too little?

qtjo5 · September 2015

I try to get two sessions in. My shift is 8 to 4:30 so I pump around 10 and then around 2. I get about 8 to 10 oz a pump session. I have my own office and I brought my own mini fridge in so I store everything in there.

My #1 tip is to have extra supplies at work. I aways seem to forget storage bags, caps or bottles to store my milk after pumping! I have had to get creative in order not to dump my milk. I have learned to have extra on hand in case I am in a rush in the morning.

Jurse1018 · October 2015

Ugh, just went back to work today and pumped twice and got an ounce and a half each time, I'm feeling so disheartened. I need to figure out how to get more milk at each feeding! My mom is watching my LO while I'm at work and she's supplementing with formula for every other feeding but at this rate I'm gonna run out sooner rather than later.

klirwin82 · October 2015

I'm nervous about keeping up too. My LO eats 4 x 4oz bottles at Grandmas, def hard to pump 4 oz by the afternoon. Pumping at work is hard and then as soon as you start to freak out about a drop in supply the stress just amplifies the supply decrease. I started drinking 3 bags of Mothers Milk tea and taking fenugreek and blessed thistle and I think I saw a modest increase today. Worth a try.

Jurse1018 · October 2015

I've started taking fenugreek today. Hoping it works. Tried Mothers Milk tea and was briefly convinced that my LO was colicky because she started having fits that would last anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours...I cut out the tea and the fits stopped within a day or two, it must have been upsetting her tummy!

randa923 · October 2015

@Jurse1018 fenugreek works better if taken with blessed thistle just FYI

oneblessedmess · October 2015

I started on the 28th as well. So far so good. I've taken three 20 minute breaks per day to pump and I usually pump enough for LO for the next day. I also pump one more time after I get home just to have extra. I keep the parts in the fridge and wash at night. It is time consuming, especially washing everything at night, but feels so good to still be providing breast milk for baby girl!

randa923 said:

@Jurse1018 fenugreek works better if taken with blessed thistle just FYI

Thanks for this! I just started fenugreek, gonna get some blessed thistle too.

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