Breast Pumping At Work
A relative of ours has recently returned to work after having her baby boy. Wanting to continue breast feeding, she has had to find creative ways and times at work to pump her milk as her work-hour schedule varies from week to week. Here are some good points to consider if you too wish to breast pump at work...
Schedule your day.
It's important to keep your day scheduled such that you will have time enough to breast pump. Keep in mind that pumping twice in an eight hour shift is a good goal. Give yourself 10-15 minutes for each pumping session.
Check with the boss.
It may be a little awkward, but if you only have a 10 minute break and you may need a minute or two more for setup and storage, it's always a good idea to let your supervisor or person you report to know what's going on should any questions come up. Some states even have laws in place to protect working mothers who wish to pump. Check out www.lalecheleague.org for more information.
Make a space.
Where to pump can be tricky. The important factors here are privacy and consistency. A room with a closed door that can be locked is ideal. It is important to be consistent. Your coworkers will learn your routine and quickly begin to respect your privacy. This will prevent unwelcome intrusions. You will also need a place to clean your pump and store your milk in a refrigerator.
The Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump is a great pump for work place pumping. It comes in a handy carry case and is lightweight and easy to transport. It will go a long way to help make pumping at work less uncomfortable and more natural.
