How can I make pumping at work more pleasant?
September 6, 2013 12:48 PM Subscribe
I have a baby who is almost twelve weeks old. I am back at work and pumping breastmilk three times a day. I don't like pumping and am looking for your tips to make it suck (see what I did there) as little as possible.
I've been back at work for three and a half weeks. I really like nursing but don't love pumping. My output is acceptable (most days I can pump what she'll need the next day in my three sessions at work, and I pump before bed every night). I just still feel pretty awkward and annoyed every time I have to pump. How can I relax more and make it more pleasant? What tips and tricks did you use to make this less of a grind?
Please note that I plan to continue pumping despite not loving it, and that answers suggesting I quit pumping and instead supplement with formula are not helpful.
Here's my setup:
- I have a Medela Pump-in-Style Advanced.
- I have access to a "privacy room" with a lock. It contains a shelf/desk area along one wall, a swivel office chair, a stationary chair, and one of those hospital recliners that folds out flat. I sit perched on the edge of the recliner with my pump on the stationary chair in front of my knees and my stuff* on the swivel chair next to me, because then I'm right next to the wall outlet and don't have to climb under the desk to plug/unplug.
*Said stuff includes water, a hand towel for drips, one of my kid's onesies for smelling, my phone or a magazine, bottle caps, and maybe a granola bar.
- I use the Kellymom hands-free trick, but still have to hold fairly still. I can't lean back or the seal is broken, so I'm still sort of hunched forward awkwardly. Would these be worth the $40 so I could lean back? Anyone have experience with them?
- There is one other nursing mother with whom I share the space, but we're both new moms, so my coworkers have gotten in the habit of using the room for phone calls. The company also uses the room for its "wellness center" and has a scale and blood pressure meter and a posterboard with info about "wellness in the workplace" in there. I asked the company to order a sign for the door with "In Use/Available" but it was placed on the wall nearby so now it just looks like the wall-mounted AED next to the room is available or something. I could ask HR to send out a reminder that the room's intended purpose is for use by lactating mothers (per our employee manual and everything) but I feel uncomfortably like that's announcing to the company "Hey, you all can't use that room because SeedStitch occasionally needs it for her BOOBS."
- The room shares a wall with the office of a manager with a very loud, booming voice. At my request, the company provided a fan to use for white noise, but this will not be ideal in the winter when the room is much colder.
- I can't really leave much in the room, as it is used by other employees. Bottles and pump parts are stored in a cooler bag at my desk.
Friends who have pumped at work have commiserated, but no one has really given me any hope that this will suddenly become fun and rainbow-filled and pleasant. What do you suggest?
I've been back at work for three and a half weeks. I really like nursing but don't love pumping. My output is acceptable (most days I can pump what she'll need the next day in my three sessions at work, and I pump before bed every night). I just still feel pretty awkward and annoyed every time I have to pump. How can I relax more and make it more pleasant? What tips and tricks did you use to make this less of a grind?
Please note that I plan to continue pumping despite not loving it, and that answers suggesting I quit pumping and instead supplement with formula are not helpful.
Here's my setup:
- I have a Medela Pump-in-Style Advanced.
- I have access to a "privacy room" with a lock. It contains a shelf/desk area along one wall, a swivel office chair, a stationary chair, and one of those hospital recliners that folds out flat. I sit perched on the edge of the recliner with my pump on the stationary chair in front of my knees and my stuff* on the swivel chair next to me, because then I'm right next to the wall outlet and don't have to climb under the desk to plug/unplug.
*Said stuff includes water, a hand towel for drips, one of my kid's onesies for smelling, my phone or a magazine, bottle caps, and maybe a granola bar.
- I use the Kellymom hands-free trick, but still have to hold fairly still. I can't lean back or the seal is broken, so I'm still sort of hunched forward awkwardly. Would these be worth the $40 so I could lean back? Anyone have experience with them?
- There is one other nursing mother with whom I share the space, but we're both new moms, so my coworkers have gotten in the habit of using the room for phone calls. The company also uses the room for its "wellness center" and has a scale and blood pressure meter and a posterboard with info about "wellness in the workplace" in there. I asked the company to order a sign for the door with "In Use/Available" but it was placed on the wall nearby so now it just looks like the wall-mounted AED next to the room is available or something. I could ask HR to send out a reminder that the room's intended purpose is for use by lactating mothers (per our employee manual and everything) but I feel uncomfortably like that's announcing to the company "Hey, you all can't use that room because SeedStitch occasionally needs it for her BOOBS."
- The room shares a wall with the office of a manager with a very loud, booming voice. At my request, the company provided a fan to use for white noise, but this will not be ideal in the winter when the room is much colder.
- I can't really leave much in the room, as it is used by other employees. Bottles and pump parts are stored in a cooler bag at my desk.
Friends who have pumped at work have commiserated, but no one has really given me any hope that this will suddenly become fun and rainbow-filled and pleasant. What do you suggest?
I can't open your link but my pumping experience improved a lot with one of those bustiers. Definitely get one!
posted by JenMarie at 12:56 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by JenMarie at 12:56 PM on September 6, 2013
I had one like this I think, in black. I'd recommend sizing down as it runs a little big and you want a snug fit.
posted by JenMarie at 1:01 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by JenMarie at 1:01 PM on September 6, 2013
Using a pumping bra made the process bearable for me. You can make your own by cutting slits in an old bra. I also got a very comfortable pumping tank on clearance at Target. I like the Pumping Pals- I could actually lean back instead of forward. There are some good groups on Facebook including one specifically about pumping. Once I got the pumping bra set up I could have a cup of tea and a snack and do something distracting like read or watch a show.
posted by betsybetsy at 1:13 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by betsybetsy at 1:13 PM on September 6, 2013
Can you raise the bottles so you don't have to hunch, with a yoga block or something? I used an adjustable chair and just adjusted up/down to balance and handsfree it right. I was also pretty overweight, so the possiblity of one of those corset things being remotely useful was slim to none. I ended up cutting up a nursing bra.
When they order the true white noise machine (and or put the wall all the way through the drop ceiling) get them to get extension cords in there so you guys aren't crawling all over the place.
Make an "in use" post-it with a bio-hazard symbol on it? BH symbol was how I labeled my milk box in the fridge.
posted by tilde at 1:16 PM on September 6, 2013
When they order the true white noise machine (and or put the wall all the way through the drop ceiling) get them to get extension cords in there so you guys aren't crawling all over the place.
Make an "in use" post-it with a bio-hazard symbol on it? BH symbol was how I labeled my milk box in the fridge.
posted by tilde at 1:16 PM on September 6, 2013
Best answer: The lactation room I'm using now has:
* A small whiteboard for lactating mothers to write down times they will use the room. It helps keep the room clear for you when it's time for you to use it.
* A small frigerator to store your milk. 'Cuz y'know, it's human fluid, and thus a biohazard, and probably shouldn't be stored in the general lunchroom refrigerator.. and I've heard stories where idiots here have drunk some poor lactating mother's milk that they left in that common refrigerator. The fridge here is in a locked cabinet so only lactating mothers get to use it.
* The locked cabinet is nice too so you can just leave your pump equipment there. I've just been taking the plastic bottles home to wash during the weekdays.
I bought a pumping bra months ago, but after using it for a little bit, it just takes too much time to put it on and slip the funnels into it and taking it off etc. I just use one hand and arm to hold the equipment up while my other hand is messing with my smartphone.
posted by Seboshin at 1:17 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
* A small whiteboard for lactating mothers to write down times they will use the room. It helps keep the room clear for you when it's time for you to use it.
* A small frigerator to store your milk. 'Cuz y'know, it's human fluid, and thus a biohazard, and probably shouldn't be stored in the general lunchroom refrigerator.. and I've heard stories where idiots here have drunk some poor lactating mother's milk that they left in that common refrigerator. The fridge here is in a locked cabinet so only lactating mothers get to use it.
* The locked cabinet is nice too so you can just leave your pump equipment there. I've just been taking the plastic bottles home to wash during the weekdays.
I bought a pumping bra months ago, but after using it for a little bit, it just takes too much time to put it on and slip the funnels into it and taking it off etc. I just use one hand and arm to hold the equipment up while my other hand is messing with my smartphone.
posted by Seboshin at 1:17 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yes a million times to the pumping bras. I would just put it on to pump, kind of over my regular one, but it makes sitting in a chair much, much easier.
In terms of the sign, could you ask for just a simple "Do Not Disturb" (or even just make one?), that way the room could be in use for any nonspecific purpose. My friend used to stick up a post-it that said "Moo" to let us know not to bug her while she was pumping, but I was never that bold when I did it.
Other than that, give yourself to just take a break during that time. Read a book, play a game on your phone, have a snack. You're doing hard work and it's ok to cut yourself a little slack during that time.
posted by goggie at 1:22 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
In terms of the sign, could you ask for just a simple "Do Not Disturb" (or even just make one?), that way the room could be in use for any nonspecific purpose. My friend used to stick up a post-it that said "Moo" to let us know not to bug her while she was pumping, but I was never that bold when I did it.
Other than that, give yourself to just take a break during that time. Read a book, play a game on your phone, have a snack. You're doing hard work and it's ok to cut yourself a little slack during that time.
posted by goggie at 1:22 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Get yourself pump wipes or better yet ask your company to pay to stock them. They are somewhat expensive but make the between-pumping cleanup so much easier, and then you can just do a regular wash at the end of each day.
With respect to others respecting the space, I would strong encourage a push for HR to send email to all reminding that use for pumping has priority. There is no need to mention you specifically. I would also post on the door the hours it is in use by you (and those you coordinate with the other nursing mom) so there's no confusion for people who want to do a call. Better yet, ask HR to put a lock on it and only give the key/code/badge access to people who need it.
Pumping is not fun, but your workplace should provide you with space to do it as well as reasonbale accommodations and support, and that includes making sure people who are using it for phone calls know that you have priority.
Adding a fridge would be another cheap and easy thing for the company to do, and would help a lot. I've also stored pump parts in the fridge between pumping to help cut down on the need to do extensive cleaning.
Keep in mind that you pump less as your baby grows and starts on solids, so hang in there for a few more months and you'll begin to taper off. You rock!!!
posted by handful of rain at 1:25 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
With respect to others respecting the space, I would strong encourage a push for HR to send email to all reminding that use for pumping has priority. There is no need to mention you specifically. I would also post on the door the hours it is in use by you (and those you coordinate with the other nursing mom) so there's no confusion for people who want to do a call. Better yet, ask HR to put a lock on it and only give the key/code/badge access to people who need it.
Pumping is not fun, but your workplace should provide you with space to do it as well as reasonbale accommodations and support, and that includes making sure people who are using it for phone calls know that you have priority.
Adding a fridge would be another cheap and easy thing for the company to do, and would help a lot. I've also stored pump parts in the fridge between pumping to help cut down on the need to do extensive cleaning.
Keep in mind that you pump less as your baby grows and starts on solids, so hang in there for a few more months and you'll begin to taper off. You rock!!!
posted by handful of rain at 1:25 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hrm ... small microwave - with a sign (similar to one as on the fridge mentioned up thread) - LACTATION EQUIPMENT - NOT FOR GENERAL USE. I used a micro sterlizer bag to nuke steri my parts.
posted by tilde at 1:39 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by tilde at 1:39 PM on September 6, 2013
Get yourself a PumpEase hands-free nursing bra and you will wonder how you ever lived without it. I waited waaaay too long to get myself one and looking back, I wish I had gotten one so much earlier. It will SERIOUSLY and DRAMATICALLY improve your pumping experience (or it did for me, anyway).
I didn't have a smartphone back when I was pumping 3x/day, so I would pack a really intriguing paperback book and use the time to read. I found that it helped me look forward to my pumping sessions rather than dreading them.
In terms of room use, I actually would go to HR and have them send a reminder email. For the people that often use it for phone calls, it may remind them that other people have a more... urgent / time-sensitive need for the room. It may feel a little embarrassing, yes, but like you said, you're not the only nursing mother so nobody will know it was specifically from you.
Hang in there - pumping is often no picnic but you're doing a great thing.
posted by meggan at 1:42 PM on September 6, 2013
I didn't have a smartphone back when I was pumping 3x/day, so I would pack a really intriguing paperback book and use the time to read. I found that it helped me look forward to my pumping sessions rather than dreading them.
In terms of room use, I actually would go to HR and have them send a reminder email. For the people that often use it for phone calls, it may remind them that other people have a more... urgent / time-sensitive need for the room. It may feel a little embarrassing, yes, but like you said, you're not the only nursing mother so nobody will know it was specifically from you.
Hang in there - pumping is often no picnic but you're doing a great thing.
posted by meggan at 1:42 PM on September 6, 2013
Can you pump in the car on the way to and from work? I did that and besides getting myself hooked up in the parking lot as inobtrusively as I could, it worked great.
And yes to the hands-free pumping bra. It makes a huge difference!
posted by dawkins_7 at 1:42 PM on September 6, 2013
And yes to the hands-free pumping bra. It makes a huge difference!
posted by dawkins_7 at 1:42 PM on September 6, 2013
Can you pump in the car on the way to and from work?
Preferably not while driving - special hazard* tickets around here run $645. I carpooled so I didn't have to drive, could nap and pump.
*special hazard - doing something really unliked/warned about, issued at officer's discretion.
posted by tilde at 1:45 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Preferably not while driving - special hazard* tickets around here run $645. I carpooled so I didn't have to drive, could nap and pump.
*special hazard - doing something really unliked/warned about, issued at officer's discretion.
posted by tilde at 1:45 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
FWIW. You can possibly wind down a bit in not too much more time. Dr Newman's
What to Feed the Baby When the Mother is Working Outside the Home is reassuring about this; "However, some babies prefer to wait for their mother in order to drink something. This is fine; many babies sleep 12 hours at night without drinking or eating at all." It is possible to slow down on pumping and bottles and ramp up 'nurse when Mom is with you -- solids and water when she is not' sooner than many think (though your baby may or may not get on board with that; I have heard of ones who co-operated with that line of thinking and ones who didn't).
posted by kmennie at 1:53 PM on September 6, 2013
What to Feed the Baby When the Mother is Working Outside the Home is reassuring about this; "However, some babies prefer to wait for their mother in order to drink something. This is fine; many babies sleep 12 hours at night without drinking or eating at all." It is possible to slow down on pumping and bottles and ramp up 'nurse when Mom is with you -- solids and water when she is not' sooner than many think (though your baby may or may not get on board with that; I have heard of ones who co-operated with that line of thinking and ones who didn't).
posted by kmennie at 1:53 PM on September 6, 2013
Response by poster: For those of you recommending the hands-free bra thing, can you explain exactly how they would work in terms of clothes? Wear that instead of a regular bra, under my shirt? Wear my usual nursing bra and add the hands-free one over the regular one when pumping? Take off regular one and change into hands-free for pumping? Also, my boobs are a 36F, so often a large is too big in the band and too snug in the cups, so do you have recs for sizing?
Dawkins_7, my commute isn't long enough for pumping in the car to be practical, making this the only time I've wished for a longer commute.
We've been told we can't have mini-fridges at our desks because of fire hazards or something, but I'll ask about getting a locking cupboard and fridge for the room and see what they say. I also like the idea of writing my schedule on a whiteboard every day so I won't have to wait and/or kick people out.
posted by SeedStitch at 2:22 PM on September 6, 2013
Dawkins_7, my commute isn't long enough for pumping in the car to be practical, making this the only time I've wished for a longer commute.
We've been told we can't have mini-fridges at our desks because of fire hazards or something, but I'll ask about getting a locking cupboard and fridge for the room and see what they say. I also like the idea of writing my schedule on a whiteboard every day so I won't have to wait and/or kick people out.
posted by SeedStitch at 2:22 PM on September 6, 2013
As to the hands free bra: The bra itself is like a strapless bra with holes in the front. I would flip down the flaps of the regular nursing bra I wore and then put the hands-free one on over the top of that one. Depending on what I was wearing, sometimes I would even strap it on over the top of whatever shirt or dress I was wearing. I kept it stashed in my pump bag with my other supplies.
For sizing they sort of come in S, M, L-type sizing if I recall correctly. Erring on the side of a little snug seemed to work better. You're not wearing it outside of pumping and having it a little tight ensures you get a good seal with the pump funnels.
posted by goggie at 2:40 PM on September 6, 2013
For sizing they sort of come in S, M, L-type sizing if I recall correctly. Erring on the side of a little snug seemed to work better. You're not wearing it outside of pumping and having it a little tight ensures you get a good seal with the pump funnels.
posted by goggie at 2:40 PM on September 6, 2013
I'm about 34 E/F and I couldn't pump without the hand's free bra. I have this one, which has a lot of adjustment options. I actually recently discovered that I can just slide my regular bra and shirt up, just put the hands free bra on like a vest and zip it up (it zips in the front), which cuts down on the changing out in/out of clothes a lot. I don't wear it when I'm not pumping it's not that comfortable or flattering. I actually do a fair amt of pumping in my car and just slip a nursing cover over all of that...
I use my pumping time (outside of driving) as my eat a meal/read/surf the internet/shut my brain off time. I'm not very good at being productive while I'm pumping and how relaxed I am definitely makes a difference in my output.
posted by snowymorninblues at 2:47 PM on September 6, 2013
I use my pumping time (outside of driving) as my eat a meal/read/surf the internet/shut my brain off time. I'm not very good at being productive while I'm pumping and how relaxed I am definitely makes a difference in my output.
posted by snowymorninblues at 2:47 PM on September 6, 2013
Just looked at the size of my simple wishes bra, I'm using an XS-M, and there's still quite a bit of room to expand.
posted by snowymorninblues at 2:48 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by snowymorninblues at 2:48 PM on September 6, 2013
The lactation consultants at our children's hospital gave me this trick: Get a cheap tube top, cut holes in the appropriate places. Cheaper than a pumping bra and it slips right over your top. I wore button ups or cardigans over nursing bras or tanks, which made for easy access. I could easily lean back and be comfortable (I pumped eight times a day for nearly eight months, so comfort was important!).
Would a breastfeeding cover make you more comfortable in the event that someone else comes in? I would very definitely ask for a reminder email to be sent out, or make your own sign to hang on the door handle. People seriously won't think about your boobs for more than five seconds, if at all. Hopefully they'll be ashamed of themselves for using the room for phone calls.
Do you have a private office or cubicle with high walls? I found that pumping worked better for me if I kept working, so I hung a curtain across my cubicle walls (they were about five and a half feet tall) and stayed at my desk while pumping. Yes, people could hear the pump and knew what I was doing, and so what? I know what's going on when the bathroom door is closed, and I don't spend any time dwelling on it.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 2:52 PM on September 6, 2013
Would a breastfeeding cover make you more comfortable in the event that someone else comes in? I would very definitely ask for a reminder email to be sent out, or make your own sign to hang on the door handle. People seriously won't think about your boobs for more than five seconds, if at all. Hopefully they'll be ashamed of themselves for using the room for phone calls.
Do you have a private office or cubicle with high walls? I found that pumping worked better for me if I kept working, so I hung a curtain across my cubicle walls (they were about five and a half feet tall) and stayed at my desk while pumping. Yes, people could hear the pump and knew what I was doing, and so what? I know what's going on when the bathroom door is closed, and I don't spend any time dwelling on it.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 2:52 PM on September 6, 2013
Best answer: Hi! I feel your pain, I did this twice, for a year each kid. I got angry at the shared facilities the first time, so I complained to HR and got something much better. Don't be afraid to complain! HR are generally very helpful, and very aware of your legal rights.
1. The room should absolutely be lockable, so you can go in and other people can go make their phone calls elsewhere. And yes, ask for a mini fridge in the room, and mark it with a biohazard symbol to keep others away.
2. Yes, ask HR to send out an email reminding people that pump users get priority! Make your own DO NOT DISTURB sign and tape it to the door when you go in. People can step outside and make their phone calls, you can't just go anywhere else.
3. A pumping bra is fantastic, get one without delay! I had one similar to snowymorninblues, like a tube top that zips up at the front. I kept it in my pump bag, and when it was time to pump I would open up my nursing bra and top as if I were about to nurse, then put the pumping bra on top of my clothes. Having said that, I never had any luck leaning back, just because gravity is working against you at that point. I would switch to sitting in the swivel chair if you can move it to a good spot.
4. Treat yourself. I would slip something like a small chocolate into my pump bag and eat it while I pumped sometimes. I browsed the web and read email while I pumped, so I was concentrating on something else, which made me relax and not stress over the pump.
5. Don't bother washing up your pump parts between pumps, just throw them in the cooler/fridge with the milk - that way the milk on the pump parts is refrigerated, so you can use them again without fear of spoilage. Saves time, saves annoyance.
I've forgotten a lot of my other pumping tips and tricks, but I learned most of them from the yahoo group PumpMoms, I recommend seeing if its still going, as it was super helpful!
posted by Joh at 3:34 PM on September 6, 2013
1. The room should absolutely be lockable, so you can go in and other people can go make their phone calls elsewhere. And yes, ask for a mini fridge in the room, and mark it with a biohazard symbol to keep others away.
2. Yes, ask HR to send out an email reminding people that pump users get priority! Make your own DO NOT DISTURB sign and tape it to the door when you go in. People can step outside and make their phone calls, you can't just go anywhere else.
3. A pumping bra is fantastic, get one without delay! I had one similar to snowymorninblues, like a tube top that zips up at the front. I kept it in my pump bag, and when it was time to pump I would open up my nursing bra and top as if I were about to nurse, then put the pumping bra on top of my clothes. Having said that, I never had any luck leaning back, just because gravity is working against you at that point. I would switch to sitting in the swivel chair if you can move it to a good spot.
4. Treat yourself. I would slip something like a small chocolate into my pump bag and eat it while I pumped sometimes. I browsed the web and read email while I pumped, so I was concentrating on something else, which made me relax and not stress over the pump.
5. Don't bother washing up your pump parts between pumps, just throw them in the cooler/fridge with the milk - that way the milk on the pump parts is refrigerated, so you can use them again without fear of spoilage. Saves time, saves annoyance.
I've forgotten a lot of my other pumping tips and tricks, but I learned most of them from the yahoo group PumpMoms, I recommend seeing if its still going, as it was super helpful!
posted by Joh at 3:34 PM on September 6, 2013
I used a hands-free strap with a nursing bra open. (I just wore that to work for those months.) I think asking for a fridge in a locked cabinet sounds lovely. I just took a lunchbag with an icepack to work to put bottles in. (Also, I'm envious of a room that's actually supposed to be for lactation. I used the supply room and generally needed to steal a chair from the lunchroom to do it. And I worked mostly with other women, so they weren't shy about coming in to get supplies when they needed them.)
And I did use pumping time as relaxing me time -- that's the time for a good book and a nice snack.
posted by Margalo Epps at 3:37 PM on September 6, 2013
And I did use pumping time as relaxing me time -- that's the time for a good book and a nice snack.
posted by Margalo Epps at 3:37 PM on September 6, 2013
re: white noise, if you have a smart phone - there are plenty of apps that do white noise. I use them all the time for myself and for baby.
posted by pyro979 at 4:31 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by pyro979 at 4:31 PM on September 6, 2013
I found a real pumping bra to be vital to keeping the seal tight enough so that I could do other stuff (like type) while I pumped. I usually wore a regular nursing bra and then just hiked up my shirt, let the flaps down on the bra, and put on the pumping bra over the regular bra. Total time: about 30 seconds.
The room needs a latch or something so that you can lock it when it's in use. Also, I pumped in my office so I usually just put an "OCCUPIED--AVAILABLE IN 20 MIN" sign on the door so people didn't try to stick their heads in. It worked pretty well.
Pump wipes definitely cut down on the time needed during the day and then I just sent one set of horns through the dishwasher and packed another one for the next day.
There is no earthly reason why you cannot store pumped breast milk in a refrigerator--it is a food product and safe for human consumption, albeit one that most adult folks would not want to consume. That said, I didn't have one convenient so I just used cold packs and the insulated bag that came with the pump, which was fine.
If you have a smartphone you can get a variety of white noise apps or buy a cheap white noise machine. I wouldn't ask for one for the room as its not something that everyone would find useful.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 4:33 PM on September 6, 2013
The room needs a latch or something so that you can lock it when it's in use. Also, I pumped in my office so I usually just put an "OCCUPIED--AVAILABLE IN 20 MIN" sign on the door so people didn't try to stick their heads in. It worked pretty well.
Pump wipes definitely cut down on the time needed during the day and then I just sent one set of horns through the dishwasher and packed another one for the next day.
There is no earthly reason why you cannot store pumped breast milk in a refrigerator--it is a food product and safe for human consumption, albeit one that most adult folks would not want to consume. That said, I didn't have one convenient so I just used cold packs and the insulated bag that came with the pump, which was fine.
If you have a smartphone you can get a variety of white noise apps or buy a cheap white noise machine. I wouldn't ask for one for the room as its not something that everyone would find useful.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 4:33 PM on September 6, 2013
My husband tells me that when two of the women at his office were pumping in a small spare room, they used a Do Not Disturb door hang tag with a cow on it to indicate they were not to be disturbed. They thought it was funny, YMMV.
posted by telophase at 6:28 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by telophase at 6:28 PM on September 6, 2013
I had to do this for my second in a office where there was only one other mom there. And the room was a cramped storage room. It was not pleasant and to some degree, pumping is just not a fun concept, so there is some acceptance of it is what it is. However, something to let you sit more straight up would be better, I had friends that loved their hands free bra. I used some attachment thingies that came with my pump when I needed to double pump (I was lucky and could just pump one side most of the time which left me one hand free). I also just brought my computer in and watched some TV on hulu while pumping which helped keep my mind off what I was doing and was easier than a magazine (or even playing a game on a smart phone). I also made my own do not disturb sign and just taped it up anytime I went in to provide extra security against people coming in, and I would kick out anyone who happened to be in there if I needed to use it, because well, I had priority on the space. I just kept the cooler of the milk in the fridge with the rest of people's food. And as far as cleaning out during the day, I just got more of the parts that came in contact with the milk and didn't bother cleaning till I got home that day. It was less awkward than trying to clean at the sink in the kitchen and cheaper than getting special stuff to clean it other ways.
posted by katers890 at 6:44 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by katers890 at 6:44 PM on September 6, 2013
Man, I found pumping so annoying! What worked best for me was (1) a good pumping bra a size small, (2) a hospital grade pump, (3) disposable sterilizer bags like these (
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000096QQ5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1378517670&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165). I worked while I pumped but if I couldn't have I would have read magazines and good books. I put a note on our team shared calendar saying I was unavailable for meetings during those time blocks and put a note on the day saying to call me they needed anything. I bought a mini fridge and a special insulated bag for transporting milk. I rented an extra pump so I could keep it at work and pump at home and work without transporting the hospital grade machine.
It still sucked but it was somewhat improved by all that. My supply was really high on maternity leave and within 2 months I had to supplement with formula. I kept pumping until age 1 and breastfeeding until my milk ran out altogether at 14 months, but I was bitter and sad that I was spending 2+ hours a day pumping and I still had to supplement more and more, whereas I had so much extra milk when I was home all day with my daughter. But c'est la vie. Stress was counter-productive. Just forwarning you that for some people supply really plummets when you're away from your kid, and if that happens it is ok. When I finally threw in the towel we were all fine and my budget was much better off.
posted by semacd at 6:46 PM on September 6, 2013
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000096QQ5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1378517670&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165). I worked while I pumped but if I couldn't have I would have read magazines and good books. I put a note on our team shared calendar saying I was unavailable for meetings during those time blocks and put a note on the day saying to call me they needed anything. I bought a mini fridge and a special insulated bag for transporting milk. I rented an extra pump so I could keep it at work and pump at home and work without transporting the hospital grade machine.
It still sucked but it was somewhat improved by all that. My supply was really high on maternity leave and within 2 months I had to supplement with formula. I kept pumping until age 1 and breastfeeding until my milk ran out altogether at 14 months, but I was bitter and sad that I was spending 2+ hours a day pumping and I still had to supplement more and more, whereas I had so much extra milk when I was home all day with my daughter. But c'est la vie. Stress was counter-productive. Just forwarning you that for some people supply really plummets when you're away from your kid, and if that happens it is ok. When I finally threw in the towel we were all fine and my budget was much better off.
posted by semacd at 6:46 PM on September 6, 2013
Best answer: Can you bring headphones for the noise? I like looking at my smartphone and viewing photos of my daughter since she was born, or short videos I've taken.
Must have:
1. Pumping bra (not a DIY tube top one. This is coming from a woman who made my own DIY breast pads. You just cannot create an adequate DIY solution that will be anywhere near as good as a quality handsfree bra, at least if your breasts are medium size or larger, because the material is a high quality lycra-blend type stuff that is thick and will not get stretched out. I have the Simple Wishes bra that snowymorninblues linked to. It is on Amazon. It is worth the cost. It is worth more than what it costs. The Simple Wishes bra is very adjustable, it is not like a regular bra where it just has a few sets of hooks. It zips in the front (and comes with an extra zip-in piece you can use to enlarge the band) and velcros in the back so you can adjust to anywhere on the velcro. As noted above there is really no "cup" to size - the front is where the holes for the pump pieces go.
How easy it is: I work in an emergency department and I have very little time to pump. I can zip on the bra, slip in the flanges in the front, hook up the tubes and start it going, then while the pump is going I can continue to move around and bend as needed to do things like get out my lunch, eat, set up a chair and my laptop and do charts, etc. No need to hold the gear in place manually at all.
2 Numerous sets of gear like the Medela bottles, connectors, flanges. Helps so you aren't always having to wash parts.
3. Try using the battery pack to pump in the car, and if you think it is feasible for you, get the car adapter for the pump. I just started doing this but I wish I did it long ago. Saves me from having to to certain pumping sessions at work and that means more time with baby (I have a long commute so I used to pump prior to leaving the hospital after my shift). To use this you need a big flowy shirt or similar to drape over the setup after you have yourself hooked up.
FYI in the emergency department I have to pump in a patient cubicle with a curtain around me. When I go to use the room my coworkers say "Code Moo!" So, at this point I definitely would not sweat the fact that anyone and everyone knows what I need for my boobs or if reminders needed to be sent out about it. But working in healthcare setting is different, so YMMV. But everyone's been friendly about it.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:24 PM on September 6, 2013
Must have:
1. Pumping bra (not a DIY tube top one. This is coming from a woman who made my own DIY breast pads. You just cannot create an adequate DIY solution that will be anywhere near as good as a quality handsfree bra, at least if your breasts are medium size or larger, because the material is a high quality lycra-blend type stuff that is thick and will not get stretched out. I have the Simple Wishes bra that snowymorninblues linked to. It is on Amazon. It is worth the cost. It is worth more than what it costs. The Simple Wishes bra is very adjustable, it is not like a regular bra where it just has a few sets of hooks. It zips in the front (and comes with an extra zip-in piece you can use to enlarge the band) and velcros in the back so you can adjust to anywhere on the velcro. As noted above there is really no "cup" to size - the front is where the holes for the pump pieces go.
How easy it is: I work in an emergency department and I have very little time to pump. I can zip on the bra, slip in the flanges in the front, hook up the tubes and start it going, then while the pump is going I can continue to move around and bend as needed to do things like get out my lunch, eat, set up a chair and my laptop and do charts, etc. No need to hold the gear in place manually at all.
2 Numerous sets of gear like the Medela bottles, connectors, flanges. Helps so you aren't always having to wash parts.
3. Try using the battery pack to pump in the car, and if you think it is feasible for you, get the car adapter for the pump. I just started doing this but I wish I did it long ago. Saves me from having to to certain pumping sessions at work and that means more time with baby (I have a long commute so I used to pump prior to leaving the hospital after my shift). To use this you need a big flowy shirt or similar to drape over the setup after you have yourself hooked up.
FYI in the emergency department I have to pump in a patient cubicle with a curtain around me. When I go to use the room my coworkers say "Code Moo!" So, at this point I definitely would not sweat the fact that anyone and everyone knows what I need for my boobs or if reminders needed to be sent out about it. But working in healthcare setting is different, so YMMV. But everyone's been friendly about it.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:24 PM on September 6, 2013
Mother of an 11 week-old here. I haven't gone back to work yet, so I can't speak to those specific questions. But I am pumping once a day so that my husband can give a bottle in the evening (exclusively breast feeding otherwise).
Two things that helped me tremendously with pumping:
1) Pumping bra or tank. Nthing everyone else here. My tank is store bought; my bras are DIY (old sports bra, and tight tube top with holes cut for the flanges, cut in half with Velcro sewn on). I do wear the tank around the house, but it would be too bulky to wear under normal work clothes. I think your best bet is the pumping bustier, probably store bought due to your cup size. And to keep from undressing/redressing 3x a day, do what previous posters mentioned (I do this, too): lift your shirt, pop the flaps of your nursing bra, and zip/strap/velcro on your pumping bustier.
And 2) HUGE help: Angled breast flanges! These allow you to totally lean back while pumping--dare I say relax while pumping! Major back saver! I also always put a ring of lanolin cream around my areolas and that helps with the flange seal.
Angled flanges made by pumping pals. You can buy a set of them on amazon, but I bought mine for much cheaper at my local breastfeeding supply store (if you live in a city, you probably have one of these stores).
posted by bienbiensuper at 9:55 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Two things that helped me tremendously with pumping:
1) Pumping bra or tank. Nthing everyone else here. My tank is store bought; my bras are DIY (old sports bra, and tight tube top with holes cut for the flanges, cut in half with Velcro sewn on). I do wear the tank around the house, but it would be too bulky to wear under normal work clothes. I think your best bet is the pumping bustier, probably store bought due to your cup size. And to keep from undressing/redressing 3x a day, do what previous posters mentioned (I do this, too): lift your shirt, pop the flaps of your nursing bra, and zip/strap/velcro on your pumping bustier.
And 2) HUGE help: Angled breast flanges! These allow you to totally lean back while pumping--dare I say relax while pumping! Major back saver! I also always put a ring of lanolin cream around my areolas and that helps with the flange seal.
Angled flanges made by pumping pals. You can buy a set of them on amazon, but I bought mine for much cheaper at my local breastfeeding supply store (if you live in a city, you probably have one of these stores).
posted by bienbiensuper at 9:55 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I use the pump ease hands free bra from amazon. It's stretchy so the band/cup thing shouldn't be an issue for you. As for logistics, I bring the bra in my bag and just clip down both sides of my nursing bra, put on the hands free bra, slip in the flanges and start pumping.
I just started work last week, so I'm still just getting the hang of things too! One thing that makes me more comfortable is watching videos of my baby while I pump, it helps with a quicker letdown and makes time pass more quickly.
By the way, those pumping pals are about $25 on amazon,I've been thinking about getting them as well.
posted by echo0720 at 1:13 PM on September 7, 2013
I just started work last week, so I'm still just getting the hang of things too! One thing that makes me more comfortable is watching videos of my baby while I pump, it helps with a quicker letdown and makes time pass more quickly.
By the way, those pumping pals are about $25 on amazon,I've been thinking about getting them as well.
posted by echo0720 at 1:13 PM on September 7, 2013
Back at work for a couple months now. I like:
(1) having my laptop to surf the web (Facebook and email)
(2) mini fridge in same room as pump to store milk immediately, also to keep bottles of cold water
(3) having an app on my phone to keep track of pump times and volumes (I use American Baby's Baby Nursing)
(4) using my phone during pumping to play Candy Crush and listen to my podcast--works with the pumping app going in the background--god I love my phone
(5) using hands-free bra
(6) locking door
(7) power strip on desk near place where I put my PISA, and leaving the cord there plugged in so all I have to do is attach it to the PISA (I have a rented Symphony at home)
(8) having wipes to wipe down the valves if necessary, but usually just store in the mini fridge in between pumps
(9) extra breast pads, extra set of bottles, extra caps, extra membranes, and a nice cloth to wipe myself with all kept in the PISA backpack, in addition to a box of tissues kept in the room.
Note: just bought the pumping pals set from Amazon a couple weeks ago and maybe I'm doing it wrong but I still feel and see the need to not lay back too much, kinda still have to sit upright. Also it was supposed to increase supply a bit but I haven't see that (yet?), YMMV though.
posted by rio at 1:46 PM on September 7, 2013
(1) having my laptop to surf the web (Facebook and email)
(2) mini fridge in same room as pump to store milk immediately, also to keep bottles of cold water
(3) having an app on my phone to keep track of pump times and volumes (I use American Baby's Baby Nursing)
(4) using my phone during pumping to play Candy Crush and listen to my podcast--works with the pumping app going in the background--god I love my phone
(5) using hands-free bra
(6) locking door
(7) power strip on desk near place where I put my PISA, and leaving the cord there plugged in so all I have to do is attach it to the PISA (I have a rented Symphony at home)
(8) having wipes to wipe down the valves if necessary, but usually just store in the mini fridge in between pumps
(9) extra breast pads, extra set of bottles, extra caps, extra membranes, and a nice cloth to wipe myself with all kept in the PISA backpack, in addition to a box of tissues kept in the room.
Note: just bought the pumping pals set from Amazon a couple weeks ago and maybe I'm doing it wrong but I still feel and see the need to not lay back too much, kinda still have to sit upright. Also it was supposed to increase supply a bit but I haven't see that (yet?), YMMV though.
posted by rio at 1:46 PM on September 7, 2013
Best answer: I pumped for 18months. Here's what I did:
You absolutely, absolutely need a good pumping bra. One that fits snuggly. I wore a nursing bra under my work clothes every day. Went into a borrowed office (no lock - yay!), put a nursing cover over my clothes (the only good use for it - I never used it when I was nursing, lol!), lifted my shirt, unhooked the nursing bra, and put the pumping bra on over the band of my nursing bra. In my case, my first pumping bra zipped in the middle in the front. Right near the end I got one that had a hook-and-eye closure, also in the front. So that made putting it on easier.
I pumped in an office, so I could still work rather than "waste time" while pumping (I took and incredibly long amount of time each session to get an acceptable amount pumped).
I also pumped, in the exact same fashion, in the car to and from work. I doubt other drivers had any clue, unless they recognized the distinctive pattern on the nursing cover. Otherwise, I was covered and they couldn't see anything. Yes, I got myself kitted out right there in the drivers seat, parked on the street in front of my house. The neighbors never noticed. Only thing is, I never figured out how to safely and comfortably wear a seatbelt. So if it's easy for you to get the amount you need in the sessions you've already built into you day, maybe don't do the car thing.
As for sanitation, you do not need to go through a big sterilization process every time. I swear. Rinse out your gear in the sink with as hot of water as you can get, dry with a paper towel, and throw your gear back into your bag.
You know those little bottle coolers the hospital gives you as part of the formula package? Those with a little ice pack are sufficient for your cooling needs.
Be sure you have the proper-sized flanges. I am a "normal" cup size, whatever that means, but I ended up ordering larger-sized flanges than what came standard with my pump (Ameda, not Medela). Having the right sized flanges made a HUGE difference in not constantly breaking suction every time I moved a quarter of an inch (see above - working at a desk, moving papers, typing, making phone calls...)
fwiw, I hated every minute of pumping too (again, because it took so bloody long for me), but seeing how healthy my boy is (he has milk allergies, so it was fairly imperative to keep nursing) made it an easy sacrifice. Good luck!
posted by vignettist at 11:27 PM on September 8, 2013
You absolutely, absolutely need a good pumping bra. One that fits snuggly. I wore a nursing bra under my work clothes every day. Went into a borrowed office (no lock - yay!), put a nursing cover over my clothes (the only good use for it - I never used it when I was nursing, lol!), lifted my shirt, unhooked the nursing bra, and put the pumping bra on over the band of my nursing bra. In my case, my first pumping bra zipped in the middle in the front. Right near the end I got one that had a hook-and-eye closure, also in the front. So that made putting it on easier.
I pumped in an office, so I could still work rather than "waste time" while pumping (I took and incredibly long amount of time each session to get an acceptable amount pumped).
I also pumped, in the exact same fashion, in the car to and from work. I doubt other drivers had any clue, unless they recognized the distinctive pattern on the nursing cover. Otherwise, I was covered and they couldn't see anything. Yes, I got myself kitted out right there in the drivers seat, parked on the street in front of my house. The neighbors never noticed. Only thing is, I never figured out how to safely and comfortably wear a seatbelt. So if it's easy for you to get the amount you need in the sessions you've already built into you day, maybe don't do the car thing.
As for sanitation, you do not need to go through a big sterilization process every time. I swear. Rinse out your gear in the sink with as hot of water as you can get, dry with a paper towel, and throw your gear back into your bag.
You know those little bottle coolers the hospital gives you as part of the formula package? Those with a little ice pack are sufficient for your cooling needs.
Be sure you have the proper-sized flanges. I am a "normal" cup size, whatever that means, but I ended up ordering larger-sized flanges than what came standard with my pump (Ameda, not Medela). Having the right sized flanges made a HUGE difference in not constantly breaking suction every time I moved a quarter of an inch (see above - working at a desk, moving papers, typing, making phone calls...)
fwiw, I hated every minute of pumping too (again, because it took so bloody long for me), but seeing how healthy my boy is (he has milk allergies, so it was fairly imperative to keep nursing) made it an easy sacrifice. Good luck!
posted by vignettist at 11:27 PM on September 8, 2013
Yes, listen to vignettist about the flange thing. The flanges have to do with the size of your actual nipple, I think. Turns out, not all women are alike ;)
I don't know if there is any way to make this happen with your set up, but for me what helps the most with pumping is distracting me from pumping. So, I use an ipad and watch movies while I pump. If there's any way to do that (your phone?), I recommend it.
posted by freezer cake at 12:35 PM on September 9, 2013
I don't know if there is any way to make this happen with your set up, but for me what helps the most with pumping is distracting me from pumping. So, I use an ipad and watch movies while I pump. If there's any way to do that (your phone?), I recommend it.
posted by freezer cake at 12:35 PM on September 9, 2013
Great point about the flange size from vignettist! I had forgotten about that. Definitely experiment to find the right match, and don't assume that you need a matched pair. I ended up settling with an unmatched pair.
I never dared pump while driving btw, because I was scared of what would happen in the event of a crash and airbag deployment. But YMMV and your comfort level too.
posted by Joh at 3:43 PM on September 9, 2013
I never dared pump while driving btw, because I was scared of what would happen in the event of a crash and airbag deployment. But YMMV and your comfort level too.
posted by Joh at 3:43 PM on September 9, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:53 PM on September 6, 2013