A Year of Office Pumping

I just realized, it's been more than a year since I got back from work! That means i'm a working mama for one year already and I've been a pumping mama for a year now! At first i thought pumping at work was an ordeal but as i progressed, it got easier and pumping became like second nature for me!

I really feel lucky that my job allows me to pump regularly. I know some moms who find it hard to pump while at work so they just forego breastfeeding when they get back to work.  A working mama's line of work can really greatly influence her choice on whether to breastfeed or not. I'm just very thankful that i'm among those who can breastfeed while e lucky ones who can

I think the main difference now that my son's 15-month old is that  i only pump in the office. When my child was less than one, i made it a point to pump or nurse every 3 - 4 hours. For me, that meant bringing the electric pump everywhere so that when baby can't nurse, i'll have to pump.  But now that he's a toddler, i make it a point to directly breastfeed whenever possible.

Here are pumping tips so you can last this long!!!!

Pump as often as you can! 

• If pumping three times is just not possible, then aim for two sessions!  I try to squeeze in a pump every 4 hours when i'm really busy.  When i go beyond 4 hours without nursing or pumping, my breasts feel heavy and full. 


• Frequent but short pumping is better than few but longer sessions. I used to pump for around 15 minutes but now one pumping session lasts 1o minutes. By Philippine law nursing employees should be given a total of a least 40 minutes in an 8-hour work period as lactation break.
  
  
  
  • To save time, i reuse pump parts for the next session, provided it it within the 4-hour window. If it's beyond that, i'll need to wash them. Store in container with ice packs to delay contamination.
  
  
  
  

[caption id="attachment_2106" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I invested in a good double electric breast pump. Using one makes expressing milk shorter and much more comfortable.[/caption]

• Pump where it's more convenient and accessible. By Philippine law still, they should be given lactation stations where they can pump in private and store milk.


• In our office, that lactation station is in the clinic, which is one storey away.    So instead of going there to pump, i just pump in the comfort of my own work station. I just cover up the best i can. I no longer mind than  my breast pump is a bit noisy.   I'm lucky my office mates don't seem to mind, (or at least, they don't show that they mind). While pumping,  i get to answer the phone and work on my computer. Over the few months, i mastered some multitasking skills - expressing and working is one of them!

Except drop in your pumping output

• Don't despair if you get much less than the amount you used to get months before. I used to get around15 to 20 oz of EBM when baby was below 6 months but now i'm getting just around 5 to 10 oz daily.  At one point, i yielded 1 oz after 15 minutes of double pumping.


•  Your production  adjusts to your child's demand, he needs less milk now your production also follows. 

Pump, pump, pump to extend nursing.

•  If you want to sustain your breast milk supply for extended breastfeeding then pumping might be a good idea. Unlike when he was less than one year old, your growing toddler's main source of nutrition is solids. He's also much more mobile and curious and chances are, the only decent nursing you have is during the night! Decreased nursing sessions might signal lower demand for milk. Pumping can help sustain your production for nursing longer.  

In my one-year pumping career, here are the mistakes I STILL MAKE:

Forgetting to refrigerate EBM after getting back from work

• Solution: If you can't put EBM in the fridge right away, assign someone to do so.

Forgetting to freeze ice packs for next day's pumping

• Solution: Have backup ice packs so you always have ice packs ready

Leaving behind small pump parts like valves or screw caps

• Solutions: Count all the parts before leaving the house. Learn hand expression. This can be handy in situations when can't use the electric breast pump.

So there - just some tips to sustain your pumping career! Happy pumping!

Also worth reading:

• Who has time to wash the pump parts?


• More tips for nursing and working mommies


• A working mom's guide on thawing and serving breast milk


• Breast milk storage tips from a working mama 

***

Get More Milk from Every Pump

I'm almost one year into my breastfeeding journey. Yes, it's fulfilling but at the same time i find breast feeding demanding right now. Baby's almost 10 months and i'm actually struggling to nurse him more often. He's been getting more solids while i'm at work and his breast milk intake has dwindled.

My pumping output has also decreased. During my first months after returning to work, i pumped about 20 ounces in a 8-hour period.  Now, after six months after my maternity leave, it has declined to about  12 ounces.

My only saving grace is that i get to pump three times at work. No matter how busy i am, i try to squeeze in a short pumping session.  Every session takes me about 15 minutes but on really busy days, i only get to pump for about 10 minutes. At times when i can't pump thrice at work, i make it a point to pump when i get home.

[caption id="attachment_1247" align="aligncenter" width="225"] As work day gets busier, finding time to pump in the office gets a bit more challenging.[/caption]

Here's what i do to keep breast pumping as productive as possible:

Use a double electric pump.

It cuts your pumping session in half. Get a handsfree pump support so you can do other things as you pump.

Tinker with the pump settings. You can get an idea at which setting you can get the most milk. Sometimes i get a second letdown when i restart the pump midway through the session.

Do breast compressions.

Try to squeeze out the milk from your breast. While pumping, massage your breasts by sliding your fingers from armpits to the nipples, as close as you can to the flange. Try to touch several different sections of the breast to collect milk from different part.

Use hot compress. 

Heat stimulates milk production. I put hot compress on my breast for a few minutes before pumping.  I found this technique effective, especially during my first months post partum.

Make sure the flanges are a good fit and placed correctly.

With a correct fitting flange or breast shield, your nipple must be placed at the center of the tunnel. Your nipple should move freely and not touch the insides of the flange.

[caption id="attachment_2702" align="aligncenter" width="250"] This is a proper fitting breastshield. Source of Photo: Medela PISA manual.[/caption]

Lean forward when pumping.

The rationale for this that gravity enhances breast milk flow. Avoid leaning back as this can also encourage back flow of milk that already in the pump. Try to maintain one comfortable position.

Regularly inspect the pump parts.

Some parts - like the membrane and valves get worn out over time. If there are cuts and tears on the membrane, this may be a sign it needs replacement.

Know the local distributor of the pump. If you're using Medela, check out the Medela Moms Facebook page. I've been scouting all over for the cheapest valve and membrane for my Medela PISA. Medela Moms is  selling 6 membranes and 2 valve heads for P390. It's the cheapest ones i found.

Bring a bigger cooler to store your used pump parts.

This way you won't have to wash the parts every after pumping.  Actually, if you think about it, breast milk stays good at room temperature for 4 hours. So you need not wash the parts after pumping. Reuse the pump parts for the next session, provided it's within the 4 hour-interval.  When i'm working for just a few hours, i don't bring the bulky cooler anymore since i'll just have to pump twice during that 5 to 6 hour period.

Eat enough..... or more.

I noticed that i get more milk when i'm full. Best to eat right and make those calories count. The best foods for nursing moms are malunggay and oatmeal.

I really get hungry right after pumping. So i keep a stash of oatmeal cookies in my work station to munch on.

Moms, pumping is crucial if you're planning to breastfeed long term. It will sustain your supply even if direct breastfeeding is limited. Baby's demand will dwindle, as he eats more solids. Pumping will create demand for your breast milk, so you'll  produce enough milk.

Here's what you can do to increase breast milk supply at home:

Nurse baby as often as possible.

At daytime baby eats more solids and drinks less breast milk. So during the night, i indulge him by letting him nurse all he want.

Nurse first before feeding solids.

For babies aged 6 to 12 months, breast milk is still a major source of calories. By nursing before feeding solids, you can be sure that your child has the appetite to nurse.

Pump if possible.

Squeeze in a pumping session when baby's sleeping. If doable, pump first thing in the morning. It's when you get the most milk.

Work and Pump is a comprehensive resource  for moms who express milk in the office.

Kudos to breastfeeding moms and i do hope we all breastfeed as long as we want!

***