Breastpumping at Work

Working Mothers Can Successfully Continue Breastfeeding

Jun 2, 2007 Anne Chekal

Women who want to continue breastfeeding their infants after returning to work need support, the proper supplies, and plenty of patience.

Breastfeeding while working outside of the home is a difficult, but rewarding endeavor that helps retain a strong rapport between mother and child. Here are a few things every pumping mother needs.

Component #1 to Successful Breast Pumping at Work: Support

The support of employers, spouses, and other pumping mothers is a critical component to continuing breastfeeding while working. Even if company policy is breastfeeding friendly, direct supervisors also need to be on board as allowing women to take the time they need to pump is critical. The vast majority of nursing and working mothers more than put in the time they take off to pump milk. Additionally, since pumping is difficult at first and energy consuming, spousal support and encouragement from friends and women in similar situations is vital and sustaining for working mothers.

Component #2 to Successful Breast Pumping at Work: Baby Accepting a Bottle

A receptive baby is a key element to continuing breastfeeding. Before going back to work, get the baby used to accepting a bottle with expressed breast milk. If not introduced at an early enough age, some children will refuse a bottle so consistently offering a bottle starting when the child is 3-4 weeks is a good idea. In addition to ensuring the baby is comfortable with a bottle, it also gives nursing mothers a break, whether extra sleep or a few hours out.

Component #3 to Successful Breast Pumping at Work: Good Breast Pump

A good breast pump is an absolute must, preferably one that pumps both breasts simultaneously. This is both more time efficient and creates better milk letdown. Pumps that include features allowing them to be plugged in, used with vehicle lighter adaptors, or operated by battery packs are the most convenient. The Medela line electric pumps cost approximately $250 but are well worth the money as a working and pumping mother will use it multiple times every day for an extended period of time. Additionally, EvenFlo, Avent, and Playtex have breast pump lines that easily convert with their bottles.

Component #4 to Successful Breast Pumping at Work: Adequate Milk Supply

Keeping up the milk supply requires sufficient pumping sessions and adequate water intake. Establishing and sticking with a pumping schedule is essential to maintaining an adequate milk supply. If possible, schedule two 10-15 minute pumping breaks into each workday. Every woman’s letdown is different, but pumping does not stimulate the milk letdown at the same rate as a baby nursing and it may take several sessions before your breasts let down for the pump. Fortunately, like anything else, the body will adjust to the breast pump and it gets easier.

Component #5 to Successful Breast Pumping at Work: Accessories

The properaccessoriesmake a big difference in streamlining the pumping process. Have on hand plenty of storage bags for the expressed breast milk. Storage bags specifically designed for breast milk can be labeled with the child’s name and date it was expressed, and safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours or freezer for 3-6 months. Keeping breast pump parts clean and sterile is a time consuming task for pumping mothers. The Medela Quick Clean MicroSteam Bags are a convenient accessory for fast, easy, and thorough cleaning; alternatively, mothers can opt to have multiple sets of pumping parts. Additionally, an ample supply of absorbent breast padsare essential for the inevitable leakage.

Pumping takes time, patience, and effort, but the emotional and physical benefits for both the baby and mother make it worthwhile. Cate Colburn-Smith and Andrea Serrette's book The Milk Memos: How Real Moms Learned to Mix Business with Babies-And How You Can, Too (2007, Tarcher Publishing) is an excellent and humorous resource for women considering breast pumping. Additionally, La Leche League has a range of resources about breastfeeding rights.

The copyright of the article Breastpumping at Work in Parenting Resources is owned by Anne Chekal. Permission to republish Breastpumping at Work in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Get breastfed babies used to bottles