BFing moms who pump...

[heyjude]

Please talk to me about the ins and outs of pumping at work. Thanks!!

[Ashley&Scott]

What do you want to know?

I pump 3x per day. 9:45a, 12p & 2:45p. It takes 15 minutes per session, 10 minutes of actual pumping time.

I keep my pump parts in the fridge between sessions. I pump in a storage closet, but that was my requested location.

I would recommend keeping extra milk bags in your pump bag in case you forget a storage bottle. Also I use burp cloths to catch any drips & wipe off my horns.

[heyjude]

Here's what I posted on another board (and thank you for your response):

***

This is only week 2 for me back to work. Can you judge my routine here?

- Nurse at 7am
- Pump at 10, 1, and 3:30 (for a total of anywhere between 10.5-12 oz; which seems on the low end but according kellymom, seems to be enough if she eats 7 times per day).
- Parts get rinsed w/ water in my trash and put in steamer bag in my fridge then staem cleaned at home
- All pumping in my office with a do not disturb sign up and a chair shoved against a the door (we have a designated pumping room but my office is faster...)
- nurse at 5:30, 8, and 11pm

And, do you work while pumping? Can you? Has anyone given you static for the time it takes to pump? Do you ever feel weird that your co workers know what you are doing?

[carriez]

I pump in my office, I just close the door. I have awful supply, so I pump 4 times at the office (7am, 10am, 1pm and 4pm)...my first session in the morning takes almost 30 minutes, but the other sessions are faster. I have a hands-free set up and I work through all my pumping sessions. Pump parts in a ziploc in a cooler between pumps. I use a nursing cover in case anyone walks in. I have a complete extra set of pump parts in my desk drawer in case I forget anything and spare storage bags in my pump bag.

[Mushe]

May 11, 2012 14:42:33 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Here's what I posted on another board (and thank you for your response):

***

This is only week 2 for me back to work. Can you judge my routine here?

- Nurse at 7am
- Pump at 10, 1, and 3:30 (for a total of anywhere between 10.5-12 oz; which seems on the low end but according kellymom, seems to be enough if she eats 7 times per day).
- Parts get rinsed w/ water in my trash and put in steamer bag in my fridge then staem cleaned at home
- All pumping in my office with a do not disturb sign up and a chair shoved against a the door (we have a designated pumping room but my office is faster...)
- nurse at 5:30, 8, and 11pm

And, do you work while pumping? Can you? Has anyone given you static for the time it takes to pump? Do you ever feel weird that your co workers know what you are doing?

That sounds good and like what I'm doing. May I ask how old your child is?

I went back at 4 months pp and a few weeks later switched to pumping only twice, ~10 and 3, and I get just as much or more. I also pump in my office because it's easier for me than the lactation room. I use a hands free bra and keep working while I'm pumping. I usually pump for 25-30 minutes, honestly because I just forget about it and keep working. I usually get a second letdown and then remember I'm pumping and massage my breasts a little to get more.

With my current routine, I'm getting 16-18 oz at work, and DS eats 16 oz during the day. I also feed one side in the morning (like you, around 7 am) but pump the other side for about 15 min as I'm getting ready (which is before I nurse him). This is getting me an extra 5-6 oz that just goes into my stash. Plus my boob doesn't explode, which is a good thing.

What about your routine are you not sure about?

[carriez]

everyone at my office knows that I'm pumping-it feels a little odd, but everyone has been very supportive and I've never had anyone make me feel bad (even though pumping has meant that I am not easily able to do field work and other people are covering that for me). I've had some women (20 years older than me) who never bf ask me how pumping works but nothing that offended me!

No-one has ever made me feel bad about the time it takes to pump...I still bill 50+ hours a week and stay on top of my projects.

[heyjude]

Thanks all!

DD is 5 months.

It's not that I'm necessarily unsure about my routine, it's that this is all so new and I feel a bit like I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I just need some perspective on what other moms do.

TB's BFing board has been so helpful these past few months I hope it can be replicated here!

Thanks for your input!

[Mushe]

May 11, 2012 14:42:33 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Here's what I posted on another board (and thank you for your response):

***

And, do you work while pumping? Can you? Has anyone given you static for the time it takes to pump? Do you ever feel weird that your co workers know what you are doing?

Didn't answer this part, sorry.

I don't get any static about my time pumping because I'm still working and they know it. The only thing I don't do is answer the phone because I wouldn't want to weird people out. I do make personal calls while I'm doing it, things like when I had to change plane tickets, etc.

I am a little weirded out that my co-workers know what I'm doing when I'm pumping. I don't particularly want anyone to be thinking of my breasts when we're in a meeting. The sign on my door only says "do not disturb" and I know not everyone knows what I'm doing, but they do know not to enter my office. One of my friends who also made her own sign uses clip art of a cow because she thinks it's funny, but I'd be mortified. To each their own.

[Mushe]

I totally understand. It was weird for me for the first couple weeks and now I've settled in to it. I do wish I didn't have to carry my huge pump around, but I seem to need that morning pump so it is what it is.

[froggy76]

I pump 2x while at work. My office has a lactation room, so I go in there, and I coordinate with anyone else who uses the room to make sure we don't need the room at the same time. I'm sure everyone knows what I'm doing, but I've stopped caring.

I have a Medela PISA in the on-the-go tote, so everything I need is in my pump bag. I always have a nursing tank or bra on, so it's pretty easy to get hooked up. I also use the Simple Wishes hands-free nursing bra.

I try to always pump until I get a second let down. I'm gone from my desk for 20-25 minutes, usually. To encourage the second let down, I usually turn off my pump for a minute or two and turn it back on.

I keep my pump parts (flanges, connectors, etc) in a ziplock bag that I wash every night. I rinse out the parts with water after I pump in the morning and then re-use them in the afternoon. I don't worry about completely cleaning them or refrigerating them since it's only about 4 hours before I use them again. I also don't refrigerate my pumped milk during the day- it just stays in the little cooler in my pump bag.

I take my pump home everyday because I also pump in the mornings at home. I try to make the bottles for the next day as soon as I get home from work.

Sometimes I take my laptop or printed documents into the lactation room to do work while I pump, but usually, I just play on my phone. If my day starts getting booked up with meetings, I block time off on my calendar to make sure I have the time set aside to pump. Otherwise, I just plan my pumping schedule around my meetings for the day, within reason.

That's all I can think of for now... hope that helps.

[Ashley&Scott]

May 11, 2012 15:02:33 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Thanks all!

DD is 5 months.

It's not that I'm necessarily unsure about my routine, it's that this is all so new and I feel a bit like I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I just need some perspective on what other moms do.

TB's BFing board has been so helpful these past few months I hope it can be replicated here!

Thanks for your input!

I felt really out of sorts my first few weeks pumping. Now that I've settled into a routine it's much better. Hang in there!

[madringal]

I EP and it works really really well for me. I have been lucky enough to have had no supply issues, so I don't have to worrry about supplements or doing anything to get more milk. I use a PISA, and pump 5 times a day. I get about 30 ounces and DD take anywhere from 25-28 a day. My goal is 6 months, and then I will reevaluate after that. If you have any specific questions about EP'ing, let me know

[grey56]

I just dropped to 3x at work - 7, 10, and 1. We have a room for it, which is super convenient to my cubicle and I honestly think that is what has kept me going!

I work extra time to make up for my pumping breaks. I was under the impression that it's mandatory to do so.

[Ashley&Scott]

Grey- making up time really depends on your employer. I don't have to make up my time, but I also don't take any other "scheduled" breaks.

[TMB]

My schedule:
6:30a - Nurse one side & pump the other
9a, 12p, 3p - Pump
7:30p - Nurse
10p - Pump

I work in a hospital that has a pumping room, and they even have a Medela Symphony pump in there to use (so it's really nice to not have to bring my PISA back and forth each day). Each session at work is about 15-20 minutes.

I only rinse parts between sessions, but wash them at the end of the night. I use a hands-free bra.

I've been back at work for 7 months now. There are still a lot of people who have no clue what I am doing (mostly the guys); the women seem to understand though.

[MamaMaui24]

Sounds like you're doing great!

I pump three times at work (9:30, 12:30, 3:30) for 20 mintues each, takes a total of 30 minutes each time, but the 12:30 one is during my lunch break.

I either rinse my parts or use the wipes, bag them in a ziploc and keep them in the fridge. Wash everything each night.

I am so fortunate that my job is flexible for my pumping. I have my own office with a lock, refrigerator down the hall and I am able to do computer work while pumping.

[sparrowsocks]

pump twice at work and once right when I get home (I teach), so 8:30, 12:30, 4ish. I still have to pump one more time at night, but that's because I've had supply issues related to my thyroid and now my period. I guess I'm sensitive to hormone changes.

I have a hands free bra and I pump for between 25 and 30 minutes. I pump at my desk with the door locked and the shades down (open campus). Sometimes people or students knock but I just ignore it. My principal has a key and has come in once because of an emergency. She's a woman and one of my best friends, so whatever. It doesn't bother me. I also keep working or surf the internet a little bit for a break. Sometimes I make personal calls.

I keep extra parts in my pump bag, and I keep fenugreek and blessed thistle in my work bag.

[gbck]

just 'cuz it hasn't been mentioned here, don't forget that ther's always the possibility of pumping-while-driving if you need to squeeze in another session/get a bit more milk.

Hands free bra + ac/dc adapter (or batter pack) + blanket or nursing cover...hook everything up, turn on, drive to work...wallah, pull into parking lot, drop bottles o' milk into cooler.

Doesnt' really require coordcination or time

[heyjude]

Thank you everyone!

[gladys]

I pump & work (mostly typing) & have found a pumping bra invaluable. I ordered the Simple Wishes bra from Walgreens.com

[oukapu]

I have been pumping and driving lately so I pump at 8, 12, 5. I'm so glad she started more solids and I no longer have go pump five times a day to keep up. Yuck

[sara76]

I bartend so I am different than all the normal office workers, but if I go over 7 hours or get very uncomfortable, I go to the liquor room and pump because besides the bathroom that's the only place without a camera. My fellow bartenders don't love picking up my slack while I'm back there but they put up with it because they like me and know I'm only doing it because it's what's best for my sweet girl, and that I'd rather be hardcore dieting and dropping baby weight but for now this is it.