Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Work We Go: Part 3

Your First Week Back at Work

After weeks of pumping and storing breast milk, making plans with your employer for pumping breaks while at work, and preparing yourself to leave your little one behind, the day has finally come: You are going back to work! Yowza!

I remember crying during the entire drive to work that first day (actually, who are we kidding...the first WEEK back at work), wondering how I was going to make it through the day without my sweet little Ben. How was our caregiver going to meet his every need? Would I make enough milk while I was away from him? Was it time to go home yet????

Well, ladies, the emotional part of going back to work can be quite stressful.... I can definitely empathize. I have been there and ,initially, it can be difficult. So, let me help you the logistics of getting through your first week back at work....let's make that a no-brainer.

Start in the Middle of the Week

There is nothing that says that you have to start back to work on a Monday. Who needs a double case of the 'Mondays?' Not you, that's for sure. Instead, set yourself up for success. For your first week back, start on a Wednesday or Thursday. This way, you can ease yourself in to your work schedule, without it being completely overwhelming. Those few days closer to the weekend (and uninterrupted time with your baby) will make this transition so much smoother and less daunting.

Pack Your Bag the Night Before

Rather than scrambling in the morning, which only adds to your stress, pack your bag the night before so that you will feel even more prepared in the morning. Wondering what to pack? Here's a short list of some items you might want to include:

• Pump and pump pieces


• Freezer packs to hold your pumped milk (unless you have a fridge in your office)


• Extra batteries for your pump or a plug to connect it to the wall


• Photos of your baby


• Extra breast pads, just in case you leak while at work


• Diaper bag for your baby (if he/she is not being taken care of at home) - full of bottles, extra clothing, diapers/wipes, etc.

For even more ideas about what to pack the night before and the day of, check out the list at workandpump.com

When Should I Pump?

Ideally, you want to pump at work as often as your baby is getting a bottle while you are away from him/her. I tried to breastfeed my son before I left for work every morning. Then, he usually took a bottle around 11am and 2pm while I was at work. I always had an extra bottle, just in case I didn't make it home in time before the late afternoon feeding. My goal was to get home just in time to breastfeed my son around 5pm. If I got stuck in traffic, I would sometimes have to pump when I got home, which was always a bit of a bummer. Best case scenario, I pumped twice at work, using a double electric pump, for about 15 minutes each time. This gave me enough breast milk for the next day, plus a little extra sometimes. I also pumped once or twice over the weekend, just to have a little surplus for the following week.

I hope that this series of posts was helpful for all of you brave, dedicated mamas who are breastfeeding and going back to work. If you have other tidbits of advice, please add them to the comments so that other moms can benefit from your wisdom!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Work We Go…. Part 2

Making Plans with your Employer

So, now you should have mastered the pump, built a small supply of milk in your freezer, and introduced a bottle to your little one. No problem, right? Next step, get your employer on board for giving you your well-earned break to pump while at work. Sometimes, this is a no-brainer. If you live in a state like California, businesses with more than 50 employees are mandated to give breastfeeding moms pumping breaks and supply a clean, private space to pump (which cannot be a bathroom stall.) Other states do not have such laws in place, so you might be paving the way in your business for you and future breastfeeding moms. Either way, it is helpful to know your rights and how to be proactive to get what you deserve: time to pump so that you have something to feed your breastfeeding baby. Let’s get all of your ducks in a row so that this is an easy process for you.

Reasons Why Pumping at Work is Good for Your Employer

Sometimes it is helpful to have a list of reasons why allowing a mom time to pump at work is beneficial for her employer. Bosses like to look at the bottom line. Here’s a handy-dandy list of reasons to share with your boss:

• A study of multiple companies with lactation support programs found an average retention rate of 94.2%

• One-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as often for mothers of formula feeding infants.

• Businesses with lactation support have lower turnover rates, higher employee satisfaction, and additional health care savings.

All of this information, and more, can be found in the Business Case for Breastfeeding: For Business Managers

What You Would Like for Your Employer to Provide

A pumping mom needs very few things from her employer to continue making milk for her baby. Really, all you are looking for is a private, clean space (that is not in a bathroom) with outlets, a comfy chair, and a lock. An optimal break time is about 20 minutes: 15 minutes to pump, 5 minutes for set-up/clean-up. You should be able to take a break every few hours, since you will need to pump as many times as you are missing that breastfeeding session with your baby. It is amazing how efficient you will become in your pumping space. The supplies you will probably have to provide will be a pump/pump pieces and freezer bags (in which to keep your pumped milk.) Some savvy employers may provide a small fridge to keep your milk in and a super comfy space. Others may provide the bare minimum. Regardless, it is your right and you can make it happen!

What Should You Do if Your Employer Does Not Provide Pumping Breaks for You?

Check out your federal rights at the Workplace Support in Federal Law web site. All of your rights are there in front of you. You can make it happen!

Next time: Your First Week Back to Work