Everything you need to know to prepare for the transition to pumping at work
You’re in the groove of nursing at home (finally!), but now that your maternity leave is nearing the end, it’s time to start thinking about returning to work. Making the transition from pumping in the comfort of your own home to pumping at the office can come with its own set of specific challenges—but never fear. We’re serving up five tips to help make the transition back to your 9-to-5 an easy one, so you can feel confident to crush your work responsibilities and keep up your supply.
#1 Gather the essentials.
You can’t pump without the supplies that make it all possible. The very first step in prepping for your return to work: Choose a breast pump based on your lifestyle, factoring in things like strength and portability. Our team at Ashland Health can help you find the best match for you and order it to be covered through your insurance. The next step: Make sure your pumping bag is packed with all the essentials—such as storage bags or bottles, a hands-free pumping bra, a backup set of parts, a cooler bag with ice packs and some quick-clean wipes. Trust us, having these must-haves prepped and ready to go will make the move back to your cube all the easier.
#2 Prep your freezer stash and your baby.
Once your milk supply is established—about a month after delivery—start building a stash of breast milk and freezing it. Don’t stress about producing an excessive amount, because you’ll be pumping during the workday, but some extra milk in the freezer acts as a solid buffer in case of emergencies.
As your return date approaches, start to introduce bottles to your baby, beginning with one feeding a day. It may take Baby some time to get used to this new way of eating, but keep encouraging it. This is also a great opportunity to get your partner involved. But don’t forget to pump during this time: It’s important to keep up your supply.
#3 Know your rights.
We know that pumping at work isn’t easy—especially if your manager doesn’t totally understand your needs and rights. If you work at a company with more than 50 employees, you’re entitled to reasonable break times and a private place to pump that isn’t a bathroom, the Fair Labor Standards Act says. If you work at a company with fewer employees, you may need to create your own space. Talk with HR about where you’ll be pumping and how to best manage your breaks.
Even today, many companies aren’t aware of the rights of nursing moms in the workplace. We’ve created a straightforward Bill of Rights that outlines everything in a letter you can customize and send directly to your manager to avoid any awkward conversations.
#4 Set expectations.
Be open and honest with your team: Tell them early on that you’ll be taking breaks and how to best reach you during those times… or not. As a guideline for scheduling your pumping sessions, keep in mind the times of day or how frequently your baby nurses at home. If you have a shared calendar, block off that time so other meetings can be scheduled around your breaks. For those times when a meeting goes long and cuts into your pumping session, it’s OK to politely excuse yourself. Your team can fill you in on what you may have missed.
#5 Prepare for challenges.
Let’s be honest: It’ll take time to find your footing as you transition back to your work responsibilities and establish your pumping routine. It’s not always going to go smoothly. Some days, you may forget parts, miss a pumping session or find your usual pumping space is occupied. As moms, we’re constantly adapting, and pumping at work is another thing that requires us to be flexible. When it comes to your pumping schedule, think about your best-case scenario, and have a couple back-up plans in mind for when things don’t go exactly your way. A short pumping session is always better than none—you’ll store milk for your baby, relieve some discomfort, and prevent painful conditions like clogged ducts and mastitis.
As Ashland Women’s Health, we’re working moms ourselves so we know balancing pumping with work isn’t always easy. But you’re doing an amazing thing—providing for your baby and your family. Let go of any negativity from others, and any pressure you’re putting on yourself. You’re doing your best, and that’s always enough. If you need more resources, please visit us at ashlandhealthrx.com.
