When the time came to return to work, I knew I’d have to master breast pumping at work to keep up my supply and achieve my goal of breastfeeding for one full year.
If this is your first child, breast pumping at work may feel daunting and overwhelming.
I’m providing some tried and true tips to help you successfully nail breast pumping at work. Whether you have an hour-long lunch break or 15 minutes in between meetings, these tips will help you feel prepared and ready!
This post is all about how to nail breast pumping at work.
1. Find a designated breast pump area
Before you return to work, determine where you will pump. Having a designated, pre-planned place to pump is essential to ensuring a successful regimented pumping schedule.
I work in two different locations. When I am at the main office, pumping is a breeze. There is a nursing room and a calendar where I can schedule the times I’d like to pump throughout the day.
When I am at our second location, however, pumping is a little more challenging. We do not have a designated area at our second location so I have to make sure I determine where I am pumping ahead of time.
Here are some ideas for pumping areas when breast pumping at work if you do not have your own office or classroom:
- Conference room
- Borrow a co-worker’s office
- A closet
- Bathroom
- Your car
Remember, you are entitled by law to breaks to express breast milk. You can read more about this law here.
2. Leave a breast pump at work
If possible, have two breast pumps – one for work and one for home. The absolute worst feeling in the world is being engorged, ready to pump and not having all your pump parts at work.
I’m speaking from experience here! One day I forgot parts of my pump at home. I became so engorged I couldn’t concentrate at work. I had to leave work, drive all the way back home, and grab the pieces I had forgotten.
It is much more convenient to know all of your parts are in their designated area when it is time to pump.
To avoid having to buy two pumps, I would suggest getting the free pump from your insurance and putting a pump on your registry.
I love this pump because it is quiet and effective. This breast pump is gentle, lightweight, and simple to use. Its easy to carry and put together, making it perfect for those less than idea pumping locations at work.
This breast pump stimulates my letdown quickly and provides a gentle suction. There are not many parts which makes it very easy to put together and take apart quickly!
3. Refrigerate between breast pumping sessions
To some, this may be a bit controversial (source), but to me, this is one of my favorite tips to nail breast pumping at work!
Instead of trying to wash all the parts between each session, refrigerate the parts between each session.
As a busy working mom, it is often difficult to have enough time to thoroughly wash the parts every time you pump. It takes up precious time that you may not have – especially if you’re squeezing in a quick breast pumping session before your next meeting or classroom schedule change.
It is perfectly okay for me to keep your breast pumping supplies in the fridge between sessions. However, make sure to wash them thoroughly at the end of each day to start fresh the next day.
Here are my favorite nontoxic breast milk storage pods. I love them because they’re eco-friendly. These breast milk storage pods are made from silicone instead of plastic. Instead of buying more breastmilk bags, you just reuse these over and over again! Saves you money and reduces waste.
4. Keep your breast pump supplies cool
After breast pumping at work, makes sure to keep your breast pump supplies cool! Keeping breast milk cold helps prevent bacterial growth. Keep your supplies in a refrigerator bag with an ice pack.
In the morning, pack all my items in the refrigerator bag with an ice pack from the freezer. Store the bag in the fridge at work and after each pumping session, place the freshly expressed milk bags in the refrigerator bag with the ice pack and the pump pieces. Then, place the entire bag back in the fridge.
If you have to run an errand after work or pick up your child, you won’t have to worry about the milk sitting out in the car because you know it is still cold from the ice pack.
5. Make sure to have a breast pump bra
Is this one obvious? It wasn’t for me! Having free hands while breast pumping at work is life changing!
Having a breast pump bra allowed me to be able to pump while still being able to check my e-mail or work on a project.
This breast pumping bra is literally made for the Spectra pump! It is also great for nursing. This bra is comfortable and perfect for easily sliding in your pump flanges. I would recommend buying two or three, if you can – just in case you get backed up with laundry. You’re not going to want to be without these!
6. Make sure your co-workers know you are pumping at work
Before I returned to work, I made sure my co-workers knew I would have to pump during the working day. This is helpful because it can be awkward abruptly getting up during a meeting or leaving a conversation when it’s time to pump.
By letting them know of my breastfeeding intentions, there was an unspoken understanding when I would disappear with my lunch box for 30 minutes at a time.
I also scheduled my pumping times on my calendar. I put the event as private so no one actually knew what I was doing, but it was particularly helpful if someone was scheduling a meeting with me or looking for me in the office.
I sell these adorable signs on my Etsy shop! They’re digital prints so you can order it, download, print it at home and it’s ready to use!
7. Have a bag of supplies
In order to nail breast pumping at work, one of the most important tips is to plan and prepare. Personally, it took me a little bit of time to adjust to pumping at work. Returning to work after maternity leave is already a lot to adjust to, adding breast pumping at work to the mix can bring on an extra layer of stress at first. To manage, think about it as a part of my routine.
After figuring out everything you need to successfully breast pump at work, make sure it’s packed and ready to go every night before bed. Also, have extras! I leave extra markers in our nursing room, I have extra pump parts in my car and extra breast milk pods, just in case!
Bonus Tip: Bring a manual breast pump for emergencies
On rare occasions when I am so swamped at work I don’t have time to have a full pumping session, I use a manual pump. Although it is obviously not as fast as the electric, it does the trick in a bind! I leave this pump in my car so I always have it.
To prevent getting a clogged duct, it is important to make breast pumping a priority. Make sure to pump consistently and not get too engorged. Not pumping regularly is not only uncomfortable, it can also cause a dramatic decrease in your supply.
Remember, you are the supplier of my baby’s nutrients. Prioritizing pumping is important for your comfort and your baby’s needs.
I hope this post helps you with breast pumping at work!
Thanks for the Advice. My wife loves it!!!!
Thank you! So happy this is helpful.