Prepped to Pump

Supporting the Return to Work for Breastfeeding Mothers

WRITTEN BY MORGAN SCHMELZER

Returning to work is a huge transition for many mothers. The addition of pumping can be both emotionally and physically challenging. Will baby take a bottle? What will my boss think? Will I lose my supply? If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Everyone’s experience will be different, but as a Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, I can offer the following steps for easing your way back to work feeling more confident and less anxious.

First, know your rights. As of 2010, portions of the Affordable Care Act require employers to provide you reasonable breaks and a private space to pump. Legally, this cannot just be a bathroom. You may take these breaks multiple times throughout your shift until your baby is 1 year old (though many employers are accommodating beyond this).

Then, be up front with your boss. If you know you’ll be pumping, consider starting this conversation as part of your maternity leave meeting. That way, there’s already a plan and less suspense for your return. Let them know how often you’d like to take a break, how long you feel is appropriate and where you’d like to store your milk, as well as any sanitizing or washing needs. Don’t sell yourself short – 15 minutes is often not long enough to set up, express milk and tidy. Similarly, trying to please your boss by pumping less often will likely reduce your milk supply. Be upfront and honest. Now let’s get to logistics. You’ll need an appropriate pump for expressing milk at work to be effective in supporting your goals. Most insurance providers cover electric pumps at little to no cost. While hands-free models are hitting the market hard, proceed with caution until you feel confident in your typical supply. Often, these types of pumps are less powerful and yield lower milk output. Additionally, get to know your flange size. Most women are using a flange much too large, which can cause pain, reduced milk flow and less efficient pumping. Pumps can be confusing and frustrating – a lactation provider will be able to support you in selecting a pump that fits your needs, budget and preferences.

You’ll also want to make a schedule. If your infant is nursing at home every two to three hours, consider pump breaks at similar intervals to make up for those missed feedings. Later on in your back-to-work journey, you may be able to space these out further, but we want to do everything we can to protect your supply in those first precious weeks or months. What might that look like? Let’s say Sarah works 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. She nurses her 4-month-old daughter, Hattie, at 8 a.m. before they leave the house for daycare drop-off. Sarah pumps for 25 minutes at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. for 30 minutes, then she leaves work at 4 p.m. and nurses Hattie when they arrive home at 4:15 p.m. A standard recommendation would be to send about 1 to 1.5 ounces of milk per hour that you are gone. So, Sarah sends Hattie to daycare with two 4-oz bottles. Clearly many babies do not run by this specific of a timetable, but as you practice and get in the rhythm of pumping, your child care days become more predictable.

It’s always important to remember appropriate storage guidelines. A quick review per the CDC:

» Freshly-pumped milk is safe at room temperature for up to four hours, in the refrigerator up to four days and frozen for up to six months (up to 12 months in a chest freezer).

» Thawed, previously frozen milk is safe at room temperature for up to two hours, in the refrigerator for one day and should never be refrozen.

Finally, introduce and practice with a bottle early. Give yourself time to find your baby’s preferences before your first day back. If you’re still having difficulty, schedule a consult with a feeding specialist.

Going back to work can be hard, but our community is here to help. Lactation consultations are great tools to establish a plan of action, and we’re here to support you all along the way. Best of luck and congratulations.

Morgan Schmelzer, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, CPST, is a Speech Language Pathologist,Certified Lactation Counselor and Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with MOSAIC Rehabilitation