For working moms who don’t have the flexibility or regular break times, it can be a bit challenging. Trying to find a place to pump may sometimes be easier said than done. But many mothers are turning their frowns into smiles and working out unusual schedules every day.
Beth Allen, a registered nurse and lactation consultant and women’s services manager at Northside Hospital, and Tammy Thompson, a registered nurse and lactation consultant and operations coordinator at Northside Hospital, have some tips for nursing moms who are heading back to work.
Inform your employer of your needs in advance
It is quite helpful to get your boss on board ahead of time regarding your plan to pump while you are at work. Most companies have designated areas for nursing moms. If you are not sure if yours does, contact a representative in your human resources or benefits department before you go back to work.
“If you have an office, then hopefully you don’t have much to worry about because you may be able to lock your door and put a ‘please do not disturb’ sign on the door while you’re pumping,” said Allen.
According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, most employers must offer employees reasonable break times so they may pump for up to one year after the baby is born, and in a place other than a bathroom to pump comfortably.
Explore your breast pump options
Knowing that you are going to be away from your baby for more than a couple of hours every day, you want to make sure that you have a good pump that will help you keep your milk supply up.
“A good option for nursing mothers are electric double breast pumps, which are designed for frequent pumping,” said Thompson. “You’ll be thankful for the ease and convenience of those."
There are pumping bras that are great for hands-free pumping and they require the least amount of wardrobe changes.
Decide your schedule for pumping at work
If you don’t develop a routine, it may be harder to stick with pumping at work. You’ll want to figure out the times you will need to pump each day.
“If possible, consider your baby’s actual feeding times when you are at home and try to pump close to those time frames,” Allen added.
Consider penciling the time frames into your calendar, because work can become pretty demanding and sometimes distracting. When you first return to work, it is recommended that you pump every three hours to maintain your milk supply.
Store your milk safely
Your milk is loaded with antibodies that fight off germs and bacteria, so if you store it safely it will be just fine to give it to your baby later. Remember, breast milk is actually food, so you should store it in the refrigerator at work or in a cooler with ice packs.
“You may want to discuss with your supervisor on options for storing your milk and ensuring its safety,” said Thompson.
The expressed milk should be stored in clean, capped glass or hard plastic, BPA-free containers. There are also some special bags that are designed just for milk collection.
Find more breastfeeding resources at Northside.
Find more information about breastfeeding and workplace support from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
