Pumping question

*krista* · #1 February 28th, 2010, 08:04 AM

I am very sad to say I might not be able to be a SAHM right away. I will probably be working at least 6 months. I'm pretty depressed about it, but that is another post...

This is about pumping. Will my supply dry up if I work full time and don't pump while I'm at work? I work for men... I don't know that pumping at work would work out. I would feel really awkward asking if I can do it, much less doing it. I mean, I have my own office, so I could *probably* do it if I have to, but like I said, really awkward. I'm just worried that going 9 hours without any kind of pumping or BFing 5 days a week will screw up my supply. Does it work that way?

Resi · #2 February 28th, 2010, 08:23 AM

Yes. You will have to pump to keep your supply up. If you go that long when baby is so young you will most likely dry up. I pumped 3-4 times per day while at work and that was just enough to feed him. It would take me about 10-15 mins per session.

You could pump on your drive in and drive home. That way you could try to get away with 1-2 pumps while on the job. Since you have your on office you could close the door and put a sign up to let them know not to come in. You could also send an email about it if you feel uncomfortable about it.

ScottishBrit · #3 February 28th, 2010, 08:49 AM

I was thinking Where's Resi! She's the person you need to ask! haha...Im sorry you dont get to be a SAHM right now but you will and hey It might change once the baby''s here...

~*sierra*~ · #4 February 28th, 2010, 09:27 AM

it can't hurt to give pumping at work a try....maybe the guys at your work will suprise you. i'm not saying they're going to come in for a cup of tea when your milking, but maybe they will be more understanding than you think. i like the idea of putting a little sticky note on your door to let them know not to come in.

Mars · #5 February 28th, 2010, 09:38 AM

Ditto to what was said already.

..Christine.. · #6 February 28th, 2010, 09:48 AM

I am also going back to work in 2 weeks-I'm a teacher and so I have to pump in my classroom-which isn't very personal- I like the idea of pumping on the way in to work and on the way home. I'll let you know how it all goes.....

**jessie** · #7 February 28th, 2010, 10:48 AM

Yea, you're kind of stuck doing it. I'm not sure when you are going back to work, but the general rule of pumping is to pump as many times as the baby would nurse/take a bottle. A 6 wk old on BM will eat somewhere around every 3-4 hrs.

Resi's idea of pumping to and from work, and once on your lunch break would probably work. You just have to see what your supply is like. All the Medela pumps have car lighter adapters that you can purchase (they also run off of batteries, but they use like 10 AA batteries for about 3 hrs pumping time). Then you would just need a hands free pumping bra. The Medela Freestyle is a good one for going hands free, but the Pump In Style would be fine for the car.

Plan on spending 15 minutes to pump, and then clean up time. You can purchase extra sets of breast shields and valves/membranes so you can just switch to a clean set and not worry about washing up until you get home.

The lady I bought my pump from worked in the sheriff's office with all men and said she never felt comfortable with it even though they were supportive. She said she just went out to her car to do it.

soImarriedAnerd · #8 February 28th, 2010, 10:49 AM

I only hear it working if you have already been EBFing for about 6 months. So sorry I think you will have to pump.

*krista* · #9 February 28th, 2010, 12:27 PM

Oh boy... never really thought about the prospect of pumping at work before. I was planning on getting the Medela In Style. Hopefully that will do the trick. I guess I will just have to suck it up, be a big girl, and discuss my boobs with my manager. If everything goes as planned, I will go back to work when baby is 12 weeks old.

I saw that there was a hands free Medela version, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the basic double electric In Style pump I was planning on. What do you have to do with the In Style? Do you actually have to hold them up to your breasts the whole time? I'm just wondering because I will probably need one that will enable me to continue working while pumping (I work at a computer all day, so it is all stationary). Can I do that with the In Style?

**jessie** · #10 February 28th, 2010, 12:37 PM

Just get a hands free pumping bra. I know they are sold at Target and online. You just have to be near an electrical outlet and you will be fine with the PIS.

Angelaosaurus-rex · #11 February 28th, 2010, 12:46 PM

Get a hand pump and pretend to have to go poop alot

!!

freesiangel · #12 February 28th, 2010, 03:15 PM

You can also make your own pumping bra. I took an old bra that I was going to toss anyway and cut a slit in each cup. I then put the shield over my nipple and the tube through the slit in the bra, then connect the container. However, if I were going to pump while in the car I would probably invest in an actual pumping bra. Mine is a little flimsy, so I'd want the extra support...

Resi · #13 February 28th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Krista, I had the regular pump in style and used it hands free. I would tuck it into my bra and it would usually hold it into place well enough for me to eat, read, or drive. I would get the hands free bra because that would work a lot better. Or make your own like Lauren did! I bet you might be able to get away with pumping on the way to work, on lunch break in your car, and on your way home.. but it all depends on your supply. If it's good to start you should be able to make it work but if it's low you will have to pump a lot.

I know it's embrassing talking about these things with a male boss. It's also kinda of embrassing having to post a sign up to let people know not to enter. But in the end it's worth it! The good thing is you will only have to do it for 6 months and then you will be at home with your little one. It is hard being away from your baby but in away it's kind of easier when they are little. The older Oliver got the more he took notice when I left and came home. When baby is under 6 months old they don't have that anxiety about you leaving.

Alison81 · #14 February 28th, 2010, 03:39 PM

You will dry up if you don't pump. I go back to work next week, so I have been trialing pumping during the day and giving bottles. And then this weekend, since I am off weekends, I just breastfed, and my supply seems to be handling it well. I pump only twice between 8am and 3pm, since that is all I'll be able to, and it seems to be enough to keep my supply up.

soImarriedAnerd · #15 February 28th, 2010, 04:37 PM

Also when your boobs get engorged at first I would go the pump right away route. "they" say not to do this because its a supply and demand issue but i really would rather have an over supply issue than an under supply. Also then if you do get the oversupply at first you have more saved for when you go back to work and more leeway to mess with!

Resi · #16 February 28th, 2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

Also when your boobs get engorged at first I would go the pump right away route. "they" say not to do this because its a supply and demand issue but i really would rather have an over supply issue than an under supply. Also then if you do get the oversupply at first you have more saved for when you go back to work and more leeway to mess with!

That is a great idea! I pumped when I was on my maternity leave and built up a nice stash in the freezer. But you don't want to count on that back up stash too much or it will all go down hill. It's best to pump enough to cover the next days feeding. That way your body is always making the right amount. But it's always better to make too much than not enough.

Adriana's Mommy · #17 March 1st, 2010, 12:21 AM

I had my son 4 months ago and I've been back to work (full time 10 hour shifts) for a month now..I'm going to admit, it's HARD!! My advice is to start saving BM in your deep freezer once your milk supply comes in.. I did notice my milk decreased ALOT when I went back to work, mostly do to stress of working and adjusting to being a full time working mommy to two kids. It's a hard job.. Life was so much easy staying at home..

I would also mentally pre-pare yourself for not being able exclusively breast feed.. Because you never know how your going to be able to handle the busy life.. If you have more then one child, it's even more demanding..

Edit:

You should come join us at the Interracial Family board.. Great group of ladies there..

Interracial Families - JustMommies Message Boards

Chelnae6 · #18 March 1st, 2010, 06:19 AM

I plan on pumping at work atleast 2x/day.

I plan on going to the bathroom to do so or to a meeting room. Pumping in the car is a good idea though but in the summer time, I wouldnt want to leave the BM in the car so I'll just probably pump in the bathroom and store it in my food tote that I have for BM.

Im getting a Medela PIS as well.