How Do You Breastfeed If You Are Going Back to Work?

Hi,
I have pumped with both of my children at work, if there is not an empty office a bathroom can work. My advice to you is to get an eletric dual pump, it really cuts time. It also depends on how long you are planning to pump but you can rent them or buy them, I bought mine but it has also made it through 15 months of breast feeding with my first and 11 months with my second, I have worked full time after them both :) and now it is ready for baby #3. I wish you all the luck, I know it is hard but is worth it in the end!
J.. ( let me know if I can help you out any more)

Your place of work has to provide you a private area where you can pump during breaks.

It can be done. Your place of work should provide you with a place that is private in order for you to pump check with HR or your manager. I would invest in a quality breastpump so that your supply doesn't dwindle. If you can't buy one then they have places to rent them. It just simplifies things in my opinion. I worked 12 hour shifts when I had my daughter and still exclusively gave her breastmilk with the help of the pump and several pumping sessions during the day. I applaud you for wanting to continue to breastfeed after you go to work.

You should seriously consider getting an electric pump. It will help ensure that you get adequate stimulation and be a big time-saver. A co-worker of mine pumped for the first year with a single (Medela Swing). I used an Ameda double and liked the flexibility of getting both sides done at once.

I was lucky enough to have a dedicated room while I was in the office. But my job requires that I travel. So...I've pumped in an airplane bathroom, riding in a rental car, standing at the counter in an airport bathroom. Depending on my trip and the circumstances, sometimes I carried back milk and sometimes I just dumped it (though I hated to).

Use 9% Pickling Vinegar to sanitize surfaces or use Chlorox wipes.

It is up to you to find a place that could be used in your office...then go to HR. Texas encourages employers to accomodate breastfeeding mothers.

You need to talk to either your supervisor or human resource representative. They should be able to provide you a provate room or office that you can use on your breaks and lunch. We wouldn't eat our lunch in a bathroom, so you shouldn't have to pump your babies lunch there either.

Good luck!

You CAN do it!!
I used the math office at my school. Didn't have a lock, but put a sign on the door while I was in there. No one ever disturbed me. I went in during lunch and again in the afternoon after the kids left. We had a refrigerator in the upstairs lounge and I kept the bottles there in a small cooler bag. Everyone in my department knew my schedule and they were very accomodating.
Even a closet would do.
I also would recommend an electric pump, mine was manual (they didn't have many electric ones back then) and it did take some time.
Good luck!

Please consider renting or buying a dual electric breast pump...mine even had cold packs and an insulated place to store your expressed milk. It will be so much easier and faster with an electric pump.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

I pumped in the restroom at work because I didn't think to ask any for a private place. Set a schedule and make yourself do it at that time every day. I breast feed before I got dressed, then I pumped right as soon as I got to work, on my lunch break and again around 3:30 p.m. You will see that as time progresses you will not pump as much because you will be more active and won't eat as well or drink as much as before. Good luck.

You can ask your employer, I am not sure if it is the law, but it is only right that your employer provide you with a place to pump other than the bathroom. I agree that doing it there is nasty as well.

You can also (if you wish) pump extra at night and use bra inserts to catch leakage and use that to supplement - you may or may not get enough milk this way, but your body will adjust to produce less milk during the day if there is no way to pump during the day. I gave supplemental bottles of formula during the day, it is not ideal but better than stopping all together if you get to that point of frustration. I know I just never felt comfortable pumping at work, but that is just me. It takes a lot of dedication to pump every day, it really depends on your level of commitment and your job's accomodation. Don't let your job make you stop breastfeeding all together though, you can always nurse a night and in the mornings, no matter what.

Good luck and hopefully you will be able to do this successfully! Take care.

When I went back to work, my employer set up a breaft feeding chair/table in the breakroom. I could close the door and pump, or occationally ny DH would bring my daughter so I could breastfeed. I would also suggest getting a great electic pump. It will save time and you keep your milk supply going much longer. I had the hand pump and dried up very quickly. I think that you can rent them from most hospitals. I is much cheeper in the long run than buying formula. Totally worth the investment. I would talk with your employer. Most are very receptive.
Good luck.