breastfeeding working moms

I plan on returning to work about 12 weeks after the baby arrives. I started my research on breast pumps and have read mixed reviews on manual versus battery operated pumps. I've read that manual is slower but battery operated is noisy.

Ive also been looking at the Avent Isis which allows you to use those disposable containers that turn into bottles. I think I would prefer this over bags. It just seems so much more convenient. Especially since I am going to have to worry about bringing milk to daycare.

Can the moms that work and pump offer any tips on what to look for? And where do you pump at work? I dont have my own office so I cant imagine where else I could possibly do this besides the bathroom (unless I kick my boss outta his office!!)

Thanks so much in advance for any tips you can offer!

I can help you a ton. I actually was unable to breastfeed Molly so I have been pumping now (full-time) for 8 months. She has not had one drop of formula since she was 4 weeks old. I am a pumping near-expert at this point.

I got my pump on eBay NEW, FACTORY SEALED, with a full warrently from Le Leche Connection. I highly rec'd her. She is wonderful to purchase from. I saved $100 from BBB or BRU.

I use a Pump In Style Advance. During my supply problems (the first 12 weeks ) I rented a hospital grade Medela Classic. But I was easily able to transition to the PISA after that time.
I HIGHLY rec'd you get a high quality electric, double breast pump such as a PIS/PISA or Ameda Purely Yours. A small battery operated one is for women who need to pump on occassion- not a full time working mom. The Isis gets some great reviews from women who need to pump once in a while or even once a day..but when you are talking about pumping 2-3X during the workday you are talking about taking twice as long (since it is a single breast at a time) and your hand is going to really start to hurt after a few times. I got an Isis to use during some long car trips we took and HATED it. I got so little milk and it was very uncomfortable for me. But some women do swear by it.

I used the Medela manual pump that comes free with a PIS/PISA when I had my rental (during car trips) and after 20 minutes of squeezing that thing your hand really does hurt but I was able to get a lot of milk.

Now I have the car adapter for my PISA and it is wonderful. I pump to and from places while Scott is driving.

About the noise: I pump in an office wtih the door closed. No one can hear it. When people call me and I am pumping (not clients, just co-workers) they know 'something' is in the background but not what it is.And the truth is I am proud of what I am doing...I am making food for my baby...so I don't care if they hear it at all.

Do you work for a large or small company? I work for a small company and my boss gave me an office (I am not in my office very often) to use. If not, I would have booked the conference room as often as I needed to pump. Before you leave on maternity speak to your boss about your pumping plans and ask him where you can pump. If you have your computer and a phone you can still work while pumping. You will need to pump every 3-4 hours for 30-40 minutes most likely. Some women can pump for only 20 minutes but I never get enough milk doing that.

Of course I pump a bit differently than a mother who nurses and pumps but during work hours I am just like the 'regular' breastfeeding mothers. I typically need 30-40 minutes to pump (double pumping at the same time). If I had a hand pump it would take me over an hour to pump. Typically while working that could be an issue for you. And again, think of your hands squeezing for over an hour. ouch.

I pump into the Medela bottles that come with the pump. You can also buy an additional bottle set- I have 8 in total. I then make my bottles and use Playtex Nusers. It is not a big deal to wash out the pumping bottles. They also find inside the 'cooler' area of my pump.

I also use either Gerber or Lasionoh (sp?) breastmilk bags with ziplock seals. The Medela ones stink!! I keep 2 freezer bags at daycare just in case Molly ever needed an extra bottle or one of her bottles spilled. Every few weeks I will tell the daycare teacher to please defrost her freezer bags and use them, then send in new ones to rotate the stash.

I also have a hands free bra which IMO is a MUST HAVE. It was $34 (easy expressions) and a life saver. It allows you to work, use the phone, etc...and holds the pumping horns in place for you. I got it from Le Leche Connection on eBay, again NEW, in the package.

If you put a dap of olive oil on your nipples prior to pumping it will really help you. I was getting very cracked and this advise has helped me to avoid further discomfort.

Please let me know if you need any help or have any questions.

I'm working FT and breastfeeding. I pump twice a day and I've been doing it since my son was 6 weeks old. He'll be 7 months on Tuesday. I have the Medela Pump In Style Advanced (Electric, double pump). Mine came in a black backpack looking thing. I got it from BRU. It's expensive but I had alot of coupons.

Anyway, I don't have an office either, so it does make it uncomfortable. My office is small, and in a small house right now, so I use the upstairs part of the house. Not completely closed off either. We're moving to an actual office building next month, and of course I'm not getting an office there either, so I'm not sure where I can pump?

But I pump for 10 minutes, 2 times a day. I used to pump longer, and on a slower setting, but now I pretty much turn it up all the way on the speed, not the sucking motion (it hurts all the way up!). I get just as much milk as I did when I was pumping slower. But since I'm at work and limited on time, I turned it up! I've tried pumping longer, but nothing will come out. I usually have 2 let-downs in 10 minutes, but that's it. Maybe I would have a 3rd let-down if I pumped longer, but I don't have the time during the day!

It's a lot of extra work to pump and breastfeed while you work FT, but it's all worth it. I wasn't going to do it at first, but my DH talked me into it, and I'm soooo glad I did. Everything is going great! I still go during lunch everyday since he started at daycare and breastfeed him. That's how I only need to pump twice a day. If I didn't feed him at lunch I would have to pump 3 times.

I still can't believe that only 14% of women who have babies breastfeed. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but from what I've heard this is by choice!

Oh... I couldn't imagine using a manual pump. I get tired just holding the things up!

Good luck!

Oh, get yourself the book
Nursing Mother/Working Mother

That really helped me A LOT.

I basically think Michele covered it all. I pump also, even though I did not go back to work full time - its great for having the milk frozen so daddy can do a night feeding if necessary or when I need to go out and may miss a feeding. And now that he sleeps through the night, I pump before I go to bed or else I wake up 3-4 hours later leaking...

I have the backpack style Medela Pump in Style double pump. My car actually has an electrical outlet in it, so on our 9-hour trip to VA last weekend, I was able to pump using that. I've never had to hand pump, thankfully.

I think every woman is different. My milk came in about 4 days after birth (I had a c/s) and I didn't start pumping until he was about 3-4 weeks old. By that time, I could double pump 4-6 ounces in 10-15 minutes. Very quick for me. i now have a super stash I can keep in our deep freezer for up to 6 months.

Medela Pump in Style for me as well!! I have used it for both of my daughters for their first year of life. I went back to work when they were 4 months old and pumped at work, in the car, etc. It is discreet and not painful like some of the others. You can rent them, but I think it's worth the investment if you plan on having more than one child.

Here's a question:

I have never been adament about breastfeeding, but I think as I'm getting closer to meeting my little one, I want to do what's best and been trying to read up as much as I can, plus I will be taking a breastfeeding class which I am VERY excited about! Anyway, for those that say they pump twice a day is it possible to pump in the morning before work and then when you get home from work??? By time I go back to work, I'd like him to be exclusively on the bottle so there will be no actual nursing for me in the mornings or evenings... any thoughts?

I think you need to be very committed to breastfeeding because for many of us there are problems along the way and without the committment it is super easy to just say 'forget it. I will use formula'.

In regards to pumping and working: If your child is older, say 1 year, then you MIGHT be able to only pump 2X a day. But for a younger baby that is really not the way it works- unless you also nurse the baby during the day. I have never heard of any mom who doesn't nurse, has a (for example) 4 month old and only pumps 2x a day. You would end up needing so much formula to met the babies demands plus your breasts would engorge and you risk plugged ducts and infections.
I pump ONLY (Molly didn't latch, I tried for weeks ) and at 8 months old I still pump 4-5X per day. I can explain my pumping sessions and how I decreased down from 8X per day if you need me to. Just ask. I am always happy to help other mom.

I do not need any formula supplements, but it isn't just about that. My breasts fill with milk and I cannot go more than 5 hours really without pumping or else it hurts. I would also kill my supply. My body would be triggered that I need LESS milk and then my supply could dry out or decrease A LOT.

Honestly pumping and working is not bad. Here is why: there are times during the day that I set aside for my baby, even though I am working. It helps to keep her my priority even when I have a busy work schedule. (I do work from home 4X per week and go into the office 1 day. Molly is with me at home 3X per week but regardless I would have done this)

Also, if you can establish a nursing relationship you might not want to give that up. You might think you do now, but the few times that Molly was able to nurse are so cherished by me. There is a closeness that nothing can duplicate. You might find yourself much happier breastfeeding than you think.

Hey I responded to this and it didn't go through!!!

Michele, thank you for your help! I can see how stopping nursing would be difficult if it has been a success... unfortunatly I will have to do it when I return to work. My biggest fear is telling the 3 men I work for that I have to walk away 2-3x a day for 30-40mins a time to go pump. I have to get over that embarrassment. There is a lactation room here, but I have yet to find out where it is. I guess when my time come I will have to see how I feel. Thank you again... I will definitely have more questions for you once I take that class, but that is in November!

maybe this will help:
You DO NOT have to stop nursing because you go back to work. There are ways to help you figure out how to continue and bottle feed while you are at work. what is your main concern about that part?

I work with all men- well only one other women- and I am not in the office often but I just told my boss 'I am going to be pumping' period. It was not a big deal..and it is great because no one bothers you during the time the door is closed No even a knock I am not embarrassed. I am proud. I am proud of the fact that I feed my daughter breastmilk and that I have worked so hard to do so. And it is like a period, guys never want to discuss it anyway So you only have to say it once. If you have a lacation room that is great!!! That means they may have a nice set-up for you and privacy will not be an issue.

Make sure at your class you ask the Lacation consultant about working and breastfeeding. She may be able to help you too.

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Posted by michele31

maybe this will help:
You DO NOT have to stop nursing because you go back to work. There are ways to help you figure out how to continue and bottle feed while you are at work. what is your main concern about that part?

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I guess my biggest concern with this is my baby not wanting the bottle knowing he can get the boobie.. lol... I guess I'm just concerned over nothing right now... I have no reason to be yet... Thank you again Michele, I will be sure to bring working/breastfeeding up at the class...

As for telling my bosses, yeah I'm just going to need to grow some balls! hehe! No seriously, the way you put it about being proud, that I can deal with!

Aidan and I do both. Basically we BF for any feedings from around midnight to noon which were every two hours but are starting to get longer , and bottle feed formula from noon to midnight. Of course this isn't set in stone, but its what it usually works out to be.

Aidan never had a problem taking to either, or adjusting to it.

I also don't have any problems with Gabriella on a bottle. I do find that she takes the bottle better from my husband than myself, but the older she gets the more she realizes it could either be bottle time or no food time.