Pumping at work may seem overwhelming at first, but with some preparation and a routine it can be managed well. Here are few tips to make your pumping journey successful at work.
This list may look lengthy at first glance, but as go about your daily routine of pumping, it will be quick and easy to set up your kit on daily basis. You will definitely end up optimizing your kit by removing or adding few items that you suits your need. Use this list as a starter and optimize it as you go along.
I recall searching (googling) for some tips but the posts in results mostly discussed items like laws or scheduling or about pump, but I did not find any post that has a exhaustive list of the pumping essentials. I hope this information is helpful to you with all answers in one page.
Before Joining work:
Know the law – pls avoid restrooms
First things first, know the law about pumping at work. Based on the size of the company, there should a pumping room with basic facilities provided for moms who needs to pump and sufficient breaks for pumping. Learn about your state law and your company policies as well.
It is also a good idea to discuss with your manager before joining work about planning the pumping breaks and blocking pumping room.
Please try and avoid pumping at restrooms as the germs could be unhealthy.
Pumping Bag
If you work better when things are organized, you can get some good pumping bags. Pumping bags usually have a place for everything and makes it easier to setup pumping station at work in short period of time
However, you can also manage with normal tote bag that has enough space to hold your pump and accessories. Decide based on what suites you before you shop for the bag.
It might also be best to optimize the number of bags you have to carry to work especially if you have to take public transit and haul these bags around – hand bag, pump bag, lunch bag, laptop bag etc.
Get a good pump
This goes without saying, but get a good pump – a double electric pump. I used PISA but this was not that effective in draining the milk for me (each person reacts to pump differently. I wish I had done more research and got a good pump.
Practice using the pump
It is better to practice with your pump few days before you join, so that you are not anxious on the first day. You may anyway need to pump few days before joining work to create a stash for the first few days to send to your babies caregiver. This also including washing and sanitizing your pump parts that you need to take to work. Some of the things you should know before joining work:
- How to use the pump
- How to put together the pump parts
- How to massage before and during pumping session to initiate letdown faster.
Backup stash
Pump few days before to create a small stash to provide for first day for the baby. I would recommend not to be overwhelmed about this and not worry too much. Calculate how much your baby would drink approximately and as long as you have minimum stash to suit first few days supply it would be sufficient.
Early morning time would be best time to pump as the prolactin levels are higher during this time and hence you would usually have more milk. Hence try to pump during this time if you are struggling to building up stash.
Also practice bottle feeding to baby few days before joining work, preferably ask someone else to feed, so that baby can associate drinking milk from someone else besides you.
Block your Calendar
Block your calendar – this serves as a reminder to you to pump on time – especially if you get lost in your passionate work or hectic life. It also helps others to schedule their meetings accordingly.
Block the pumping/nursing/quiet/wellness room
Check with your office about how to use the pumping room and any access needs or other rules. I was in a different company location for a conference once and the pumping room there required special access and hence had spend 15 mins trying to find someone to help gain access to the room. Planning such logistics ahead would avoid wasting precious time on your first day at work.
There would be other moms who would be using the pumping room. You don’t want a frantic mom who is on a strict schedule banging on your door while you are in the middle of your pump (it happened to me once :)). Nor do you want your pumping bag stuck in room since someone else is pumping there and your commute is in 10 mins. Hence block the pumping room ahead of time.
You may have to adjust the schedule slightly based on how many are using that room. I have read some stories on how some moms have to improvise and get creative and end up pumping in cafeteria (nursing cover to the rescue) or storage room.
Milk Storage
I have included ice packs and cooler bag in the pumping kit below to transport your milk to and from work. Check if there is provision of fridge in your pumping room to store the pumped milk in cooler bag. If not, check if you have fridge in cafeteria (where others store lunch bags). Make sure to label your bag (that contains the milk) properly to ensure it is not mixed with someone else.
Plan your outfit for success
Do you like buttoned shirts so that you would have quick access to the pumping bra? or you don’t like fumbling with buttons and would just want a loose shirt that you can pull up and attach pump. Decide what works best for you to pump efficiently and plan your outfit accordingly.
Items in your pumping kit
Although this list may look long, you can customize the items in your list by moving some of the items to the extra supply kit – which can be stored at work. Also, as you settle down with pumping routine, you will be able to come up with a good list of items that you need to carry on daily basis. Hence don’t be overwhelmed with this list.
Here is the Quick List:
- Pump
- Extra pump at work?
- Pumping set /accessories
- Pumping bra
- Deodorant / sweat management
- Shirts
- Extra Bottle CAPS
- Pump storage bags
- Membranes
- Baby photo
- Extra pump parts
- Cleaning kit
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Ice pack and bottle/cooler bag
- Nipple cream
More Info on the list:
| S. No. | Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pump | Pump you use along with adapters etc. Refer extra's section for more information on backups. For PISA, this would include pump, power adaptor and tubings to connect to pump parts. |
| 2 | Extra pump at work? | This is optional. If you can afford it and if it is beneficial to you, get an extra pump that you can leave at work. This way you don't have to carry the pump to and fro work. |
| 3 | Pumping set /accessories | The accessories depend on the type of pump you use. For PISA, this would be flange, connector, valves, members, bottles and caps. Assemble them as much as possible at home, so that you can save time in office. |
| 4 | Pumping bra | A pumping bra holds your pump parts so that you can be hands-free. You can buy one or make one yourself. Don't forget to do breast massage as needed. |
| 5 | Deodorant / sweat management. | Pumping causes sweating and sometimes accompanied with smell. Hence be prepared for managing this. |
| 6 | Shirts | Dress well for the part. For pumping that means shirts that allow fast access to setup pumping. Carry an extra shirt that you can wrap around in case you get cold. |
| 7 | Extra Bottle CAPS | This is so important especially if you assemble your pump parts at home. Since bottle is connected to the pump parts, it is so easy to forget the caps for the bottle. |
| 8 | Pump storage bags | Have extra pump storage bags in your kit so that if you forget bottle or caps you can store milk in them. |
| 9 | Membranes | This is applicable for PISA. These are so thin and hence they may get damaged or lost or loose suction. Hence carry extra membranes with you |
| 10 | Baby photo | Have baby photo in your baby so that you can look at your baby to get faster letdown. |
| 11 | Extra pump parts | There are two options if you need to pump multiple times at work. Option 1 is Carry extra pump parts so that you can use different parts for each pumping session. |
| 12 | Cleaning kit | Option 2 is - carry a travel cleaning kit so that you can clean your pump parts after one use and reuse them for next session. Remember to let the pump parts dry well to prevent mold growth before packing them. |
| 13 | Water bottle | Always have a water bottle filled with water before every pump session |
| 14 | Healthy snacks | Pumping burns calories and you can hungry pretty quickly. Hence have some healthy snack options in your bag. |
| 15 | Ice pack and bottle/cooler bag | Read up on storage guidelines for pumped milk. Carry ice packs and cooler bag to store your milk at work and while in transit. |
| 16 | Nipple Cream | To help treat your sore nipples or in case you are using it for suction of flanges |
Tip: Assemble your parts at home so that you can save the time at work and just focus on pumping. This would also ensure you have not missed packing any parts.
Tip: Put the assembled parts in your cooler bag to save space in pump bag (you may have to store flanges separately to fit the bag).
Extra supplies in your pumping kit
You can leave few of these extra supplies at work, so that you don’t have to carry all these items on daily basis.
Here is the Quick List:
- Extra pump parts,
- Membranes
- CAPS for bottle
- Breastmilk storage bag
- Additional power adapter
- Battery powered adapter
- Extra batteries for adapter
- Manual pump
- Backup tops/shirts, washcloths
More Info on the list:
| S.No. | Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extra pump parts | Depending on how much extra parts you carry in your daily pumping bag, you can put some additional parts in the extra-kit. This will come in handy on the days you forgot to pack an essential pumping part. |
| 2 | Membranes | This may not be applicable for all pumps. However for pumps that it is applicable, make sure to carry additional members. They are so thin and can get worn out over time, get lost, or may simply be forgotten. |
| 3 | CAPS for bottle | THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. especially if you assemble your pump set at home and forget to pack the caps for the bottles. |
| 4 | Breastmilk storage bag | Again very important. This is helpful if you forget caps or extra bottles. You don't want to pack your precious milk in a to-go cup available in your office pantry. |
| 5 | Additional power adapter | It is good to have a backup adapter, in case you forget one at home or your main adapter stops functioning. |
| 6 | Battery powered adapter | This is helpful in two cases: - No power outlet to connect to - or power adapter is not working or missing. |
| 7 | Extra batteries for adapter | This is required for the battery powered adapter. |
| 8 | Manual pump | Manual pump will be useful to pump on the go. Or in places that does not have power outlet etc or if you forgot the tubes. I always had this in my bag but I never used it except when I was working on getting baby back to nursing. |
| 9 | Backup tops/shirts, washcloths | Have some backup clothes in case of leaks or spills. A loose shirt (like your partners 🙂 old cotton shirt) will be really helpful to cover yourself up especially if it is cold while pumping. |
Setting up your Pumping station:
- Use restroom before starting to pump
- There is nothing worse then having to go when you are pumping especially since you will be drinking lot of water during pumping
- Pumping burns calories and hence
- have a bottle of water with you and
- some healthy snacks
- Your pumping bag with all the necessities and your bag with extra supplies
- Your phone or book that you can relax with
- this helps take your mind of pumping especially if you are not a fan of pumping.
- it may also help you unwind if you had a busy day and helps with quicker letdown
- remember it is helpful to be relaxed during pumping
- sometimes watching baby pictures or videos while pumping helps some moms to have quicker letdown.
- Although you are entitled for pumping breaks, let us get real, your mind is bursting with things that you need to do. Being moms, we want to get things done quicker and faster. Hence if you are relaxed and you don’t think it will affect your pumping, try to get some quick activities done – like replying to work email or building your groceries list. However, don’t do this if it stresses you out and starts to impact your supply. I would end up pumping while attending a remote conference call to manage my scheduling. I had a super awesome team who did not care about the loud background noise from my end of the line – so that worked out well for me.
- Make sure you have everything setup before you start pumping and sit and relax…
Disclaimer:
I am not an LC or nurse or doctor. This post is purely based on my experience and things I learnt in my research (googling and youtube) and my routine, hence it may not cover all the situations. If you have gone through something that is not listed above please comment below.