My pumping and breastfeeding journey is something I am really proud of. It was a hard and beautiful 15 months of my life. I started a new job when I found out I was pregnant and only 6 weeks of maternity leave. Notably, I remember feeling so overwhelmed looking at the pump and packing everything in my bag. Tears were shed in my car as a pulled up to my school parking lot. Subsequently, while still bleeding and sore, and lugging my breast pump bag/cooler, workbag, and lunchbox, I trudged into school. And started my pumping journey one day at a time.
I think the hardest thing about my pumping journey, at work, was feeling this unnecessary internal guilt. A feeling like I had to decide if I wanted to feed my baby the way I chose or complete work to the caliber I held myself accountable for. It just felt like there wasn’t enough time in the day. Here are four tips that made my pumping journey a little easier! Also, check out Andrea’s blog post for some helpful tips when planning your maternity leave!
1. Know Your Legal Rights as a Breastfeeding/Pumping Mom
You are Legally Entitled to:
- A clean place that is not a bathroom.
- A private space.
- A reasonable break time to pump.
- it does get a bit ‘dicey’ if your company has less than 50 employees. Click this US department of Labor link for more info!
- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act A amended section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (you will frequently see it abbreviated FLSA). Click here to read the noted section!
- Check your contract and employee handbook
- Reach out to HR with specific questions
- Reach out to your Teacher’s Union! They will have more in-depth information on your rights and how to better accommodate you!
2. Schedule Pumping Times
There’s not much free time working in a school and especially in the special education department. I can’t remember the last time I ate just lunch without doing some work for the next session. But the thing I reminded myself is:
This Time is:
- For my baby
- Dedicated to something I want to do to provide for my baby
- My legal right
We make time for things that are important to us.
I am a very visual person, I need a set schedule or nothing gets accomplished. Sort of like if I go to the store without my grocery list: the bill is huge but there are multiple things missing for dinner. And though it is hard, don’t schedule pumping times that are convenient for your work schedule. Schedule times where you need to pump. And trust me, you will know when those times are. There is nothing more miserable than sitting through an IEP meeting, feeling like there are two hard rocks in your blouse and you can feel yourself starting to leak through your shirt. It’s miserable and painful.
For my body, I would pump every three hours in my eight-hour workday. I had three pumping times built into my schedule. On my master schedule, I blocked my pumping times first and filled in the rest with my therapy sessions and other responsibilities at work.
As an occupational therapist, my day has a bit more flexibility. For the teachers out there, I would recommend asking for some time to sit down with your supervisor or principal. Show them your schedule and tell them with clear and concise words what you need and how they can support your pumping journey.
“I am a breastfeeding mom and I need to pump three times while at work for 30 minutes (however long it takes you to set up, pump, and clean up). These are the times I was planning on pumping”
There is a balance between being ‘flexible’/team player and knowing your legal rights.
I think you might be surprised how supportive your school team is when you are upfront and honest with your pumping journey. The principal at one of my schools would let me pump in his office when I needed space. He wanted to make sure I had privacy and was comfortable.
3. Try to Incorporate Some Self Care into your Pumping Time
Reading work emails is a huge trigger for my anxiety. Work emails always equal more things to add to your to-do list. I find that when my body is tense, it’s harder for my body to have a letdown and I experience decrease production. I also find it is hard for me to type/maneuver around my computer when I had two large flanges and storage bottles hanging off my chest.
To start my pumping time, I get my space and myself ready for pumping. Make a conscious effort to calm down. I put on some calming music or music that makes me happy.
I bought a kindle and would read a few pages while I drank some water and ate my snacks. Listening or reading continuing education resources is also how I would spend my time. You can still do things related to work that don’t require emails or reports etc.
Pumping is mentally and physically hard. My biggest advice is to make the time easier and give yourself a break. This time is for you and your baby. There is no room for guilt. Your body is producing and expressing milk. How amazing is that? Honor your body.
4. Pack your Things the Night Before
I have a bad habit of telling myself when I am tired, that ‘I’ll do it later’ or ‘there will be plenty of time in the morning’ or my favorite ‘I’ll wake up early and be super productive. These mantras rarely happen. As a result, I am franticly running around our house while being super quiet not to wake up the baby.
Visual learner that I am, I made a list, on my phone. I listed all the things I needed in my pumping bag. Therefore, It was really helpful for me to pack the things I could the night before.
What’s in my Pumping Bag
- Handsfree pumping bra
- I am a small chested woman and I was happy with this bra. The inlets a little far apart.
- Bottles/bags for milk storage
- I used the Medela bottles to store my milk. What I pumped at work is what my daughter would use the next day.
- Pump parts
- Two Breast Flanges
- Two tubes
- Two Duckbill Valves
- Backflow protectors &silicone membranes
- Two storage bottle
- Milk cooler
- What I like about the PackIt is, you put it in the freezer the night before.
- I didn’t always have access to a fridge, so I felt safe and comfortable with this option! I would add an additional ice pack to the cooler.
- What I like about the PackIt is, you put it in the freezer the night before.
- The Pump
- I used Aeroflow to order my Spectra 2 breast pump. Overall, I had a great experience with the company.
- Wetbag/Mat
- I used this wet bag to store my parts in between pumping sessions. It has an attachable mat to put the parts on while setting up.
- Disinfectant wipes (I always wiped the table down before I pumped)
- Self-care items
- Snacks
- Water Jug
- The Pump Bag
- My husband bought me this bag for Christmas. I would have never have spent that kind of money on myself. I think those are the gifts that make the best gifts. He stated that he knew going back to work was going to be a difficult transition for me. He wanted to make pumping and that time a bit easier and happier. I love the bag! It has two pockets on the side for your pump and a big compartment on the inside. I like that the bag looks professional.
As I get ready to welcome my next baby, I know it will be hard to return to work in the fall. I already feel this deep sense of sadness and it is months away. But I know deep down, I will be okay and while using my voice and advocating for myself, I will be able to accomplish my pumping and breastfeeding journey at school.