Feeding and caring for your baby is your No. 1 priority after giving birth, and if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, you dedicate hours to feeding your baby. As your return to work looms, there are more questions and challenges. Foremost among them for moms who have been breastfeeding: pumping at work.
Read More: Top 13 Questions Lowcountry Moms Ask About Breastfeeding
Know Your Rights for Pumping at Work
As a mother, you have some protections and rights under federal law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breastmilk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The space provided by the employer cannot be a bathroom and must be “shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.”
Before you transition back to work, plan to talk to your employer about what you need to continue breastfeeding. Determine the best person to talk to — likely a human resources or staff director instead of a direct supervisor — and schedule a time to talk. Discuss your plans to keep breastfeeding and what you need to do so, including:
- A private space that is not a bathroom
- Access to clean running water
- The time you’ll need to pump or express milk throughout the day
If a designated space for pumping is not available, discuss potential private spaces that can be used, including an office with a door or a conference room. You’ll need a clean, comfortable, private space with access to an electrical outlet.
Preparing to Pump
If you’ve been pumping at home, you’re already familiar with your pump and how to use it. If not, now’s the time to create a pumping plan. To start, check whether your insurance plan covers the cost of a breast pump, which can save you money. In addition to an electric pump, consider having a manual pump for backup or if you need to quickly relieve engorged breasts between pumping sessions.
Once you have a pump, practice using your pump at home to familiarize yourself with how it works, how to clean the parts, and how to store your milk. You’ll also learn if your milk supply is different when pumping compared with breastfeeding, which it is for some women. As you practice, you may be able to build a freezer stash of extra milk for your baby before your maternity leave ends.
As an employee, it’s crucial to understand your rights for pumping at work, and as a mom, it’s equally important to understand best practices for maintaining your milk supply, including pumping as frequently as you would breastfeed your baby and consistently emptying the breasts during each session.
“Breastfeeding is different for every mother and takes practice and adjustment as your baby grows,” says Birthing Center Director Tiffany Washington. “I encourage moms to work with a certified breastfeeding counselor or a member of our breastfeeding support team even if they’re not having trouble breastfeeding or pumping. With the guidance of a breastfeeding counselor, moms can know what to expect when they go back to work and how to maintain their milk supply.”
Read More: Benefits of Breastfeeding
A Pumping Checklist for Work
Discuss with your employer the most appropriate, comfortable place for you to pump at work and set a schedule for pumping that’s similar to your baby’s breastfeeding schedule. Depending on the age of your baby, that may be two to three pumping sessions during a typical workday, every two to three hours. Pumping sessions typically take 15 to 30 minutes, plus time for cleanup and storage. Try to pump consistently and not miss a session — doing so could lead to uncomfortable breast engorgement or, over time, a decrease in milk supply.
In addition to time, pumping at work requires preparation. When you head back to your place of employment, you’ll need:
- A bag with your pump and pump parts, including a battery pack, charger or wall plug
- A book or magazine to read while you pump
- A pumping bra to free up your hands while pumping
- Cleaning supplies, including a bottle brush, for pump parts and extra backup equipment
- Comfortable clothes that make it easy for you to pump
- Extra breast pads and a backup shirt for leaks
- Pictures or videos of your baby to stimulate milk production
- Storage and labeling bottles for milk, as well as ice packs or a cooler if you don’t have access to a refrigerator
Adjusting to Your New Routine
Just like other transitions that come with motherhood, pumping at work is a big shift in time together for mom and baby. Establish time for breastfeeding before and after work, give yourself grace as you and your baby adjust to your new routines, and ask for support from a spouse or family member when needed.
Returning to work after maternity leave? Our breastfeeding educators are here to help. Sign up for our Baby University Breastfeeding Class or call our 24/7 Warm Line at 843-522-5147.