Breastfeeding / pumping mamas - how do you do it?? I'm a first time mom 1 month into mat leave and I can't imagine going back to work and doing this...

Block your calendar off during pumping times- and tell everyone it is not negotiable. Once you set the precident then everyone will know what to expect. And it can be a really nice break (hey, smokers go outside constantly for that and no one judges their productivity ...) if you’re slammed, it’s a quiet moment to focus on work too. Look at it as a positive! I had a very supportive work environment but I also really looked forward to my pumping times each day as a moment to rest and recharge. You can do it!!

I exclusively pumped for 2 years with my daughter. She was a preemie and so I was adamant about sticking through it. I blocked out my pumps schedules every day and if someone tried to schedule I would respond “I have to pump so either I will dial in or we need to move this.” Usually they moved it unless it was a client call or something, in which case I dialed in. I am lucky that my position does not require me to travel though, so I didn’t have to deal with milkstork and all that. But I would watch videos of my kiddo while pumping or even take naps to catch up. But I was very strict about my pumping schedule and I was NOT afraid to tell people what I was doing. If they asked I’d be honest “I have to pump” and usually that was enough to give me space. My coworker bought the willow and swears by it. She would warn people “either I have to leave or I’m going to have to pump in this meeting” and would sit there and pump with her willow as she contributed. I think not being afraid to speak up about it is how you carve the space for yourswlf

It’s hard. You work productivity will appear to go down in everyone’s eyes. Screw them. But you can do it with a lot of planning and support. I found that i mentally just had to stay in it to win it, and focused on what me and my children needed. Breastfeed both kids for one year each. Good luck and you’re doing an amazing job!

Wow, can I just say... You women are so amazing! I never would've known this is what working moms go through. I'm so honored to be apart of this amazing group of people. You inspire me to know that I can do this.

Thanks so much for your advice and keep it coming!! ❤️

It was the hardest thing I’ve done. It was a lot involved. It will not be easy, how ever you manage it.

I did it for a year with my first and 10 months with my second. With the first, i was just very firm on needing to do it. I would also pump in the car on the way to and from work. For client meetings, I would reach out in advance and quite frankly ask who I needed to reach out to get a space for pumping. I was lucky I had a great client and their admin would reach out to me any time I got scheduled for a trip. It was really hard though! Lots of pumping in bathroom and feeling like you’re missing meetings bc you need to pump. With the second, I was very forgiving to myself and supplemented earlier and wouldn’t pump before bed bc I just really hated pumping.

It’s really difficult - I did a year each with all 3 of my kids. Traveling makes it harder. I work in new business and before Covid, traveled 4x a month. But tips I have:

- store your pump parts in the fridge so you don’t need to wash them after each pump.
- schedule the time on your calendar. I would schedule conf calls during that time to continue productivity or I would use that time for email to catch up.
- if you have to travel, see if your agency reimburses for milkstork to make your life easier to ship breast milk back
- talk about it - the more we normalize having to pump as a working mom, the easier it will become!

I didn’t start pumping to get a stash until a couple of days before going back to the office to be honest. With my first I had a bit more bc I started exclusively pumping for first 8 weeks until he latched and had an oversupply once he started nursing. But with my 2nd and 3rd no just waited. My baby is 7 mos and I’ve quit pumping immediately after we were sent home from covid. The advice I can give you is when you are working in the office and need to pump - hold the line. You must pump. The times might shift up or back 15-30 mins but you must pump. If you drop a pump even one day, your supply will suffer. It sucks. But I took calls or used it for other things like catching up on emails during that time. Don’t feel bad about it. You are legally allowed to do it for up to a couple of years even. As soon as I dropped a pump (a client just “couldn’t” find a room for me to use that day to pump) my supply tanked and I had to supplement. I’m all for supplementing but I felt forced into it. I pumped for about 6-8 mos with my first two. Ended up adding in formula around 6 months with both to relieve some pressure. Nursed mornings and nights after that while pumping what I could, dropped to one pump a day probably after 8-9 mos... 2nd baby I could only nurse until around 9 mos... this baby I’m at 7 mos like I said and I dream of stopping but will continue as long as I can until 1, if my body allows.

Also, don’t feel guilty if it doesn’t work out. Formula is just fine. I tried pumping for a month when I returned to work and the mental toil it took on me just wasn’t worth it.

First, you’re doing an amazing job! Second, try not to stress hard about it. Set small goals for yourself (breastfeeding for 1 month, then 3, then 6 etc). However long you do it for is amazing! That being said, I found pumping in the morning before work I yielded the most amount of milk. I had an hour commute and would pump when I got in. Try to block out your calendar for 3-4 20-30 minute slots, with the hopes you can get 10 solid minutes to pump. It’s going to be hard but don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself. Best of luck!! You’ve got this!

My work really did not suffer. I had hubby wash/dry/assemble pumping parts and place in a bag every night. Pumping bra allowed to have my hands free to work and I was able to stay on calls. I remember pumping while driving to client sites. 3 kids and each had breastmilk for at least a year. It was truthfully very very tough to not give up, but I am glad it worked out. I do wish I gave myself permission to stop earlier and take the pressure off myself. So there’s that.

It’s hard. I made it 4 months last time. Even if you block off your calendar, it’s tough to stick to and get your hours in. Excited to see new products like Elvie that might make it a little easier. And also mother’s rooms being a thing.

Make sure you pump when you need to pump to ensure your supply doesn’t go down. Companies legally need to give you time to pump. When I first went back to work I pumped 2-3 times a day. Once in the morning, in the afternoon and sometimes right before I went back home. Good luck! You’ll make it work.

Totally agree w everyone about blocking your calendar. to be brutally honest I do think that commuting doesn’t make it easier. I commuted almost 90 mins each way via train so it was impossible to pump as much as I would have nursed. But you do the best you can and it will all be fine. I always tell new moms that how far breastfeeding is is something you hardly ever know until you are in it. But like someone told me, all kids end up eating McDonald’s in the end. Try not to beat yourself up. You are doing amazing no matter what.

It got old REAL fast. But you will feel so accomplished when you keep doing it!

There is so much great advice in here! I will try not to repeat it all but love these responses. I breastfed and pumped for both of my kids for a year and was traveling about every week. We did breast milk mostly for the first and my second was exclusively breast milk. The difference? Me letting go of any remaining fear I had of making the space I needed to pump. There were people who were not supportive. But there were also folks who were amazing. Accept the help of the amazing people and do whatever you can to tune out the jerks. Deciding to breastfeed is such a personal choice. If you are up for it (which you do not have to be by the way - the world is full of healthy happy formula fed babies) make the space you need. Give no Fs. Not one. Two+ years of pumping every 2-3 hours did not hurt my career.

I emailed and worked through many a pumping session. And sat on conference calls. Not that different than the remote work going on today. Coworkers can handle it the same way they have handled working out of their homes for the last months. A breastfeeding group can be a big help too for questions/support/ideas. Pump when you need to. There is a reason places to pump and pump breaks are required by law. Good luck to you!

Practically - how do you have time between calls / work to feed and/or pump?

Right now I'm barely producing enough to keep my baby fed so I can't really build a freezer stash. Plus, I'm sure the stress of going back to work (WFH) during COVID with a newborn will affect my supply.

Everyone told me lack of sleep would be the hardest aspect of being a new parent, but breastfeeding has definitely been the most stressful part of being a new mom. I wasn't emotionally prepared for this. Advice or thoughts?

Highly recommend the Elvie pump, which is completely portable and moderately discreet. I was exclusively pumping with my first and it made everything so much more difficult. Now I’m BFing my second but bought the Elvie so that I can pump while chasing a toddler and/or if the mothers room at my new office wasn’t ideal (lol now not going to the office until who knows when). Regardless it’s been way way easier than my medela pumps.

It’s expensive AF but you can buy just one

Did it for a whole year. Very difficult making time, pumping, cleaning, but you get through it. It becomes a memory and at the end you did it for your little one and thats all that matters! Keep it up mama!!! Oh and save some of that milk for whenever baby is under the weather!

I always ate lunch or a snack as I pumped so I felt happy and time-efficient. It sucks but you can do it! And leaking through your bra is worse!