In recent years, surveys have shown that more than half of American women worry about becoming a working mom after giving birth. About 40% of them are concerned about being too tired to do their jobs. Around 80% aren't sure how they'll be able to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Breastfeeding working mothers, in particular, often worry about how they're going to work pumping breast milk into their daily schedules. If you fall into this category, you should know there are some useful breastfeeding tips that can make your life easier.
Buying a hospital-grade breast pump will be one of the first orders of business you'll want to handle. But you shouldn't simply buy a breast pump and assume everything else will fall into place. There will also be other steps you should take to make sure everything goes according to plan.
Here are breastfeeding tips that every working mom should consider putting to good use.
Buy a Hospital-Grade Breast Pump
As a breastfeeding working mom, you're going to spend your fair share of time using a breast pump. For this reason, you shouldn't settle for anything less than the best when buying a breast bump.Ideally, you'll want to get your hands on a hospital-grade breast pump to get the best results. This BabyBuddha® Single or Double Portable Breast Pump would be a great option for you.
This particular breast pump is fully rechargeable and wearable so that you can utilize it almost anywhere you want. You won't have to worry about carrying around a big, bulky breast pump that's going to get in your way and turn into trouble before long.
This breast pump also includes a wide range of other features like:
- 6 levels of Stimulation Mode
- 9 levels of Expression Mode
- A trackball that makes it easy to pick any of the 15 settings
It also comes with a unique suction pattern that'll mimic your baby's suction pattern and ultimately lead to your body producing more milk in most cases. It's one of the best hospital-grade breast pumps on the market today.
Create a Pumping Schedule
In addition to buying a hospital-grade breast pump for pumping at work, a working mom will also need to start to set a pumping schedule. This schedule will help keep you on the right track each day and eliminate most of the guesswork from pumping.
In a perfect world, you'll want to try to pump at least every 2 to 3 hours. That should work out to be pumping about three times during the normal workday. You might also have to get into the habit of pumping for a fourth time if your job ever requires you to come in early or stay late.
As your baby begins to get a little older, you should be able to start pumping less. But at least at first, you should be prepared to pump several times throughout the day on a relatively set schedule.
Block Out Time for Pumping
Once you get into a good groove while pumping at work, you should be able to figure out the specific times you'll need to set aside for pumping. After doing this, you should go into your work calendar and block out these times exclusively for pumping.
In fact, you can do this right from the very start if you would like. You don't necessarily need to let others know why you're blocking this time out. You're welcome to keep things vague on your calendar.
But the last thing you want to do is leave your calendar wide open and have someone schedule a last-minute meeting because they think you're free when you need to pump. By blocking out your calendar, you'll let others know not to schedule meetings and other commitments for you during certain times throughout the day.
Find the Best Places to Pump
Some companies have started to create pumping rooms right in their offices. These rooms have been specifically designed for working moms who need to pump during the workday.
You should see if your company has pumping rooms set up. You might even want to go as far as to speak with someone from your company's HR department about potentially putting one in place if one doesn't exist yet.
But if you aren't able to get access to a pumping room in your office, you're free to improvise. There are likely at least a few empty workspaces in your office that could be converted into makeshift pumping rooms for the time being.
Whatever the case, it'll be important for you to find safe, private places for you to pump in peace. You'll enjoy better pumping experiences when you're in places where you know you won't be distributed.
Don't be afraid to bring up the idea of carving out these spaces in your office with your employer if you aren't able to find them on your own.
Keep Pumping Supplies Handy
A hospital-grade breast pump won't be the only thing you'll need to pump while you're at work as a working mom. There will also be a host of other pumping supplies you'll need, including:
- Clean bottles
- Chargers and batteries for your breast pump
- Containers for breast milk
You may also need to bring in things like this EasyFit 24mm Flange Kit. Create a long list of supplies you'll need for pumping before going back to work and pick them all up. Be sure to add to this collection of supplies over time, too, so that you don't ever run out of them.
Invest in Pump-Friendly Attire
If you go back to wearing all the attire you wore to work before you got pregnant, it might make pumping more challenging than it should be. It's why it wouldn't be a bad idea at all to invest in new pump-friendly attire for your return to work.
Remember that you aren't going to be pumping forever, so you don't need to revamp your entire wardrobe. But you should pick up shirts, blouses, dresses, etc., that'll make it easy for you to pump without having to remove any articles of clothing.
Search for Support at Work
Are you the only working mom in your office? If you are, you might not have the opportunity to find much support within your workplace.
But if you know other working moms at work, especially those with babies right now, you should turn to them for support when you need it. You might be able to coordinate your pumping times so that you don't have to pump alone.
At the very least, you might be able to set up an email chain that'll allow you and other working moms to take turns pumping throughout the day. It'll be so nice to have others who are either in your shoes or have been in them before helping to provide all the support you need. It'll make a world of a difference when you're pumping at work all the time.
Try to Relax
As a working mom who has to pump while at work, you're going to feel pressure whether it actually exists or not. You might feel like you have to rush through pumping so that you can get back to work ASAP.
You might also feel like you have to spend your time pumping, responding to emails or even taking phone calls. You'll be making a big mistake if you take this approach to pumping at work.
Your main goal when you're pumping should be to try to relax. Take advantage of the time you'll have to step away from your desk and focus on pumping for the sake of your baby.
Remind yourself that you're doing the best job you can and that all the pumping you're taking on will be what's best for your baby in the end. The more you're able to relax while you pump, the better the experience should be.
There will always be some stress associated with being a working mom. But by doing some simple breathing exercises or taking a few quiet minutes to meditate while you pump, you can help keep everything in the proper perspective.
Let Us Help You Become the Best Working Mom Possible
Every breastfeeding working mom gets a little nervous when it's time to return to work. It's perfectly normal for you to feel this way.
But by utilizing the breastfeeding tips found here, you should be able to make the most of pumping at work. With the right hospital-grade breast pump and other breastfeeding tools by your side, you'll be able to get the job done while also doing a wonderful job when it comes to your career.
Contact us at BabyBuddha Products if you would like help picking out the best breast pump for your specific situation.
