Guru’s Back to Work Pumping Schedule for Breastfeeding Moms

-Set your alarm at least 45 minutes early and try to breastfeed your baby preferably on both sides, even if the baby is still sleeping.

-Get ready for the day and both of you dressed and ready to leave the house.

-Pack up everything you can the night before diaper bag, bottles, lay out clothes for you and baby.

-Always have a set of clean pump, bottles, and nipples, milk storage accessories ready with the night before.

-Eat a good nutritious breakfast.

-Make time for breastfeeding the baby again before you leave the house even if for a few minutes before you leave if possible.

-Pump once in the morning -have a drink and a nutritious snack while you pump.

-Pump at lunchtime -have a nutritious meal and drink while you pump.

-Pump in the afternoon afternoon-have a drink and a nutritious snack while you pump.

-Breastfeed immediately after you return to your baby.

-Continue to nurse on demand through the evening.

Remember

-Always wash your hands before pumping and handling pump parts or preparing breatmilk bottles.

-Always eat a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

-Bring plenty of healthy snacks and drinks with you.

-Take your vitamins and try nursing mothers teas, tincture, or protein shakes.

-When you are home with the baby breastfeed on demand –no schedules for breastfeeding.

-Breastfeed your baby frequently during the night.

Guru’s Tips for Pumping at Work

Allow at least 20-30 minutes for each pumping session, ten-fifteen minutes for pumping with a good electric double pump, and ten minutes for clean up and milk storage.

While pumping take time to get comfortable and try not to feel rushed. Relax and close your eyes, try to mediate, or read a book.

If possible, leave work and go to your care site to nurse your baby. It may even be possible for your caregiver to bring your baby to you at lunchtime or during breaks.

Try to wear easy access clothing. Your clothing should open in the front. and be comfortable. You may consider wearing 100% cotton breast pads for leaks during the day.

Items to Get Started

-Reliable electric double breast pump-I recommend renting a hospital grade pump for best results.

-Insulated cooler with extra ice packs

-Milk storage, bottles, and accessories for pumping (include a pen for dating the milk collected)

-A carrying case or bag to hold everything

-A bottlebrush and supplies for cleaning. Including a large box of Ziploc bags for storing and traveling with used or sterilized pump parts.

-An extra nursing bra, extra shirt appropriate for work, and extra pads for leaks.

-A nursing shawl, cover or small blanket for personal privacy if you need to pump in a common area.

-A pillow for supporting your arm while you pump may make pumping more comfortable.

-A "Do Not Disturb" sign to use if you are pumping in a shared space.

-A small picture of your new baby.

Great series of articles about returning to work, pumping, and milk storage.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/working.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T025100.asp

http://www.promom.org/bf_info/bf_work.html

http://www.breastfeedingpartners.org/about_breastfeeding/aafwmbottlepump.html

http://www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=230

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/pumpfreq.html

http://www.pumpingmoms.org/index.html includes a yahoo groups to support mothers who pump breastmilk.

Guru’s Tips for Returning to Work While Breastfeeding

Speak Up-Before you go on maternity leave try to talk to your employer and coworkers about your plan to breastfeed.

Rest Up-Take the longest maternity leave that you can by law. This longer leave will allow you to establish your milk supply before you return to work.

Return to Work Slowly-Work part time for the first week or two that you are back at your job.

Return for a Short Week-Plan to return to work on a Wednesday or Thursday, so that your first week back at your job is shorter.

Plan Ahead –Try to explore different work options such as part time or flextime. Speak with your human resources department or employer about your decision t return to work while continuing to breastfeed your child.

Find your Groove –Try to find a routine that works for you, your baby and caregiver.

Seek Support-Try to find coworkers who have successfully breastfed after returning to work. Attend you local La Leche League meeting for working mothers.

Be Optimistic! -Remember breastfeeding is good for your baby--and for you. It provides the best nutrition for your baby and protects your baby against many illnesses. Take advantage of the time that you have with the baby when you are at home.

Know your rights.  Check your states laws reguarding breastfeeding in the workplace.

Guru’s Pumping Tips

Practice for one or two weeks before you return to work. You can try pumping just after your baby feeds or pump your breasts between your baby's feedings.

You may not get much milk when you first start pumping. After a few days of regular pumping, your breasts will begin to make more milk due to supply and demand.

During this practice time, you can start to collect and store breast milk to feed your baby when you return to work.

A "pumping room" at work can be created in any area that provides privacy. The area should contain a chair, table, and working electric outlets. A clean sink is helpful for cleaning up and a refrigerator is helpful for storing your collected breast milk.

Back to Work: Strategies to Pump from the Office

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22130/23087