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  • Pregnancy and you blog

  • Jan. 9, 2010

    Breast-feeding: Support for working moms

    By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

16 comments posted

I returned to work six weeks after my daughter was born. No FMLA in those days. I thought I was ready. I had found a good day care. They were willing to work with my frozen breast milk and cloth diapers. In fact, the talk in town was that I was a hippie because I breast-fed and used cloth diapers. I'm sure I've been called worse for less. My biggest worry was that other babies would start crying and I would leak milk all day.

I had a hand-held breast pump, which might seem medieval today. I also had an absolute certainty that I would be able to do this. This was in the days before computers and the Web, so I was ignorant of statistics about poor breast-feeding success rates for working mothers. I pumped during my lunch hour in my shared office, then put the milk in the refrigerator until it was time to go home. I'll always remember the day I sobbed in the parking lot because I'd spilled the bag of liquid gold — my breast milk. I got over it, but I developed a different system for transporting the valuable stuff.

Today you can buy electric pumps that will empty both breasts at the same time. Some employers offer private spaces for breast pumping. Breast-feeding is more common, so there's a bigger community of women to ask for suggestions and advice — both online and in person.

If you're considering breast-feeding after you go back to work, be sure in the knowledge that you can do it. Pumping can be a bother and there may be days you want to throw the pump out the window, but don't throw anything anywhere. Brainstorm ways to make pumping more convenient or less burdensome. There are no rules set in stone, and it's up to you to do the best you can.

Do you have tips or stories about returning to work while breast-feeding? I'd love to read them. Please share your thoughts!

16 comments posted

blog index

  • January 11, 2012 12:16 p.m.

    When I had my third child and returned to work as a teacher, I fortunately had her enrolled in a day care one light away. Since breastpumps and I have never had the best of relationships, and was determined to breastfeed as much and as long as possible, I introduced formula for the hours she would be in day care. During my lunch break, I would eat a sandwhich driving over to the day care and nurse her for about 15-20 minutes then rush back to pick my7th graders up from the cafeteria. Not every day was guarnteed and I did have to pump. I did this either during planning or lunch. I was blessed that things worked out for me. The infant room care giver was supportive. I recentlyg gave birth to my fourth child, a liltle girl and plan to hopefully do the same thing, but she has a different personality and lunch has been shortened as well as planning. Yet, I have faith that I can get things to work out. It is reassuring to her other working Mom`s stories. Thanks.

    - Leuana

  • July 18, 2011 9:05 p.m.

    Re: Amber and anyone out there who may struggle with negativity towards breastfeeding in the work place. First, pat yourself on the back for making the decision to breastfeed AND having to cart this all to work! Second, the more women out there show the increase effort to breastfeed, at work, the more "normal" it will become and accepted. Don't EVER let anyones negative opinions about breastfeeding get you down at the work place or make you change your decisions.

    - Tara

  • April 21, 2011 9:07 a.m.

    Everyone should check o out the new law passed in 2010 under the affordable health care act. Companies that employ more than 50 people are required by law to allow you "adrquate time for pumping as oftenth" and I'm quotting google the afforable health care act and breastfeeding. I am having some issues with a couple of people at my work being actually against breastfeeding and my decision thankfully my supervisor supports me and the laws is behind us all anyway.

    - Amber

  • October 22, 2010 2:58 p.m.

    I breastfeed my first daughter until she was 9 months old while working full time. Pumping for me was fortunately very easy. My second daughter now 6 weeks old is also EBF and I am back at work pumping again. Some days it's a pain pumping but to know my child is getting what she needs just from me feels great. Some tips for pumping that I use: message the breast while pumping (I push the milk down) Pump as often as possible (maybe more than baby would nurse) and RELAX. If you don't get a lot of milk at each pumping don't worry. I noticed that my morings usually produce much more milk than my baby would eat so it seems to even it's self out. Best of luck to everyone!!

    - andrea

  • October 3, 2010 1:37 p.m.

    My son was jaundiced when he was born and the doctor recommended formula for a couple of days while he was under the bili lights so I had my first taste of pumping before my milk even came in. Though painful, I would pump every time my son needed a bottle for as long as he ate even if there was nothing coming out. Luckily it stimulated me enough for my milk to come in properly. Things that have helped me so far in pumping when I returned to work: 1) The use of a special low-flow platex orthodontic nipple that I got in the hospital while my son was supplimented. Unfortunately I can't find it in retail stores. This is still the only nipple he will take other than my own and I'm very glad that the hospital gave me a handful when we left. 2) I fed my son from one breast at a time with multiple sessions per breast in the beginning. At first this led to engorged breasts and my son couldn't keep up- it would take 2 or 3 feedings to drain one breast completely. I would pump if I was engorged and freeze the milk to build a reserve. Lately, I find that my supply has diminished (probably because of my over-production) but so far I've been able to correct this problem by nursing my son as often as he's hungry. 3) I use a handpump because I can more closely simulate the way my son eats and I don't always have a plug-in at work. 4) I try not to stress if my supply seems to be diminishing and just pump as often as I get a chance. I'm hoping this continues to work! Best of luck to everyone!

    - Johanna

  • September 28, 2010 2:37 p.m.

    Its been awhile since Holly posted the question, but the Breastflow bottle from the First Years works great. It has two overlapping nipples, with a wide base to emulate the suction needed on a breast.

    - Katie

  • June 11, 2010 4:06 p.m.

    I have been back to work since my baby was 5 months old. I started pumping twice daily and just after the 6 month mark my milk really started to decrease. Instead of being chained to my pump, I decided to pump what I could and supplement the rest. Now my baby is able to EBF when I am home and on the weekends and gets 1-2 bottles a day at the sitters. I think as mom's there is enough guilt, especially with working moms. I think its best to just do what you can and give yourself some grace for what you can't!

    - M

  • May 11, 2010 2:53 p.m.

    I know of women who used sippy cups instead of trying to find a different bottle. I am sorry to hear about the babysitter. It would be really nice if you could find a babysitter how has breastfed and understands more about it.

    - Mary @ mayo.com

  • May 9, 2010 2:14 a.m.

    i just had my 4th baby 7 weeks ago, my first 2 i didn't work till they went to school so didn't have any problems breastfeeding them, with my 3rd was born a premie and had problems breastfeeding had pump and use a dropper to feed him till he was 3wks i went back to work (wasn't able to stay at home with him) when he was 6 wks old continued to pump but like other moms it wasn't enough sadly when he was only 3 months old he stoped nursing only wanting a bottle. Now with my newest baby i am back to work with him. he is a champion nurser and hates the bottle. my sitter just quit on me cause because he crys too much with her because i'm not there to nurse him. does anyone know of a bottle that is more like the breast? i have tried so many talked to the doc he said to just give it time or wean him from the breast (i have to work) i'm not going to wean him i love our time together he does too. i don't want to go through a bunch of sitters either any sugestions?

    - holly

  • March 22, 2010 1:38 p.m.

    My daughter has been struggling with the whole pumping issue. Her supply of frozen milk is completely depleted and she was feeling like she was doing something wrong. I reminded her that the baby was growing well and so her supply was ample for his needs. The pumping was becoming so stressful for her that I think that was part of the problem. We need to rember: love our babies, hold our babies and don't make feeding time stressful for yourself or your baby.

    - Mary@Mayo

  • February 23, 2010 12:09 p.m.

    Pumping is SUCH a pain, but totally worth it. I went back to work when my son was 7 weeks old. I'm a teacher and had a precious 20 minutes to pump during my lunch hour in a cold, dark supply closet. I learned to multi-task while my pump whirred away. I carted that pump to and from school every day for 9 months. I guess I was one of the lucky ones as my child had nothing but breastmilk until 6 months when he started solids. I stopped pumping when he turned one, so he had just water during the day, but fed from the breast at home. He recently weaned himself at almost 2 1/2 years old - a bittersweet ending! I miss those precious moments with my baby, but as he says, "your baby grow up." I'm pregnant with child #2, also due at the beginning of the next school year. I'm doomed to another year of lunch breaks in the supply closet - but I think it's worth it!

    - Parker

  • February 11, 2010 6:36 p.m.

    I just want to second the anonymous post from January 28th. I went back to work part-time when my baby was 10 weeks old. She was exclusively breast fed for the first six months of her life, and at first it was relatively easy for me to pump enough for her. But once she needed larger bottles -- 6-8 oz. each -- I just couldn't keep up. I found myself pumping 5-6 times a day to barely get what she needed for 2-3 bottles. It wasn't a supply issue, it was simply that my body didn't respond to the pump no matter what I tried. So now I supplement with two bottles of formula a day, and I don't regret it one bit. Everyone needs to decide -- for themselves -- what's right for their situation. Stressing yourself out, feeling guilty, and making yourself miserable is not good for mom OR baby. If you've tried all you can and you simply can't make it work, don't be hard on yourself if you need to supplement or bottle feed.

    - Marisa

  • February 9, 2010 1:14 p.m.

    Face it....a breast pump isn't quite the same as having your baby at breast. Isnt there something in the tender moments with a baby at breast that simply cannot be duplicated by the suction of a machine? The feelings of bonding, love, and nurture with a babe at breast stimulate let-down and increased milk supply. Also, to improve diminished milk supply, consider your nutrition, especially once you have returned to work. The four things that keep milk supply abundant are: 1. Frequent nursing (or pumping as needed) 2. Excellent nutrition, especially abundant whole foods 3. Drinking alot of healthy fluids...avoiding caffeine 4. Adequate rest...hard to get when you work but try Even if you need to supplement (ever taste that formula??? Disgusting. Taste it before you feed it to your baby) But, even if you need to supplement, continue to breast feed, if not completely for the physical nourishment, also for bonding and quiet time with your baby. There is alot of nurture and nourishment emotionally for mom and baby beyond milk supply. It's a time for mom to rest quietly and enjoy loving on her baby.

    - Raeann

  • January 28, 2010 9:24 a.m.

    When I first went back to work (from home), I couldn't pump even half of what my son needed in a given feeding, despite using a high-quality double electric pump. I sought advice from lactation consultants, midwives, and doctors and tried everything--meditating while pumping, pumping more often, pumping for longer, trying different inserts. Still no improvement. Although my milk supply seemed perfectly adequate for my baby, I started taking fenugreek to try to increase my pumping yield. My supply increased, but my pumping yield didn't. This led to engorgement, cracked nipples, and finally, a breast infection. I've since learned that some women's bodies don't respond well to a pump. I wish I had known that sooner. Because I'd been so hell-bent on giving my son only breastmilk and thought something was wrong with me when I couldn't manage it, I did myself harm. I now do partial breastfeeding--my son gets forumula during the day and breastfeeds in the evenings, night, and morning. If pumping works for you, stick with it. But if you try it for a while (that's key) and the pump is yielding nowhere near what you need despite frequent pumping and an otherwise good milk supply, don't destroy yourself trying to make it happen.

    - Anonymous

  • January 18, 2010 12:23 p.m.

    I've been back to work for 6 weeks now, and although some days it gets difficult I do make it a point to pump twice a day. My baby gets mostly breastmilk, but I have accepted the fact that he may need some formula once in a while. I have a private office and an electric pump so that is of benefit. I think if you stick to it, it is possible!

    - Kelly

  • January 13, 2010 10:37 p.m.

    take a look at the Business Case for Breastfeeding...by the Office on Women's Health womenshealth.gov It has a lot of great information for both business, mothers, and supporters.

    - Brittney

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