Pumping at work
- Thread starter Gracey
- Start date
Thanks for all the support, guys.
In the end, I ended up rinsing the part three times in boiling water, using a coffee mug. Then I filled the mug with more boiling water and zapped it in the microwave for two minutes, so that the water was really, really boiling. Then I let it cool and cleaned it with dry paper towel.
Today I will go buy some proper microwave sterilizing bags and wet wipes.
Unfortunately, I work in a crowded office. There is no private room where I can go. There's just one toilet, and it's shared with other offices. I actually have to leave the office to go -- so yesterday, I went to the bathroom, dropped the piece, returned to the office, sterilized it in the pantry, and then went BACK to the bathroom to pump.
Sigh. It's not pleasant, but I can still do it.
In the end, I ended up rinsing the part three times in boiling water, using a coffee mug. Then I filled the mug with more boiling water and zapped it in the microwave for two minutes, so that the water was really, really boiling. Then I let it cool and cleaned it with dry paper towel.
Today I will go buy some proper microwave sterilizing bags and wet wipes.
Unfortunately, I work in a crowded office. There is no private room where I can go. There's just one toilet, and it's shared with other offices. I actually have to leave the office to go -- so yesterday, I went to the bathroom, dropped the piece, returned to the office, sterilized it in the pantry, and then went BACK to the bathroom to pump.
Sigh. It's not pleasant, but I can still do it.
I pumped at work 2-3 times/day in an 8-hour day until my daughter was 7-months-old (went back to work when she was exactly 8 weeks old). I also was feeding during my lunch break. Even with pumping twice and direct feeding once I still had milk supply issues (low supply). I can't imagine how pumping less frequently is in any way going to help you keep up your milk supply. My worry would definitely not be mastitis at this point but low supply. It's all supply/demand. So, if you don't put a demand on your body during the day that milk won't be available eventually--at least that's how it generally works. Unless, you would only like to just direct feed 1-2 times/day when you're at home and not have any bottle feeds while you're away. Otherwise, it's pretty wise to pump as often as you can. I never sterilized my pump parts. I washed them thoroughly with warm soapy water, rinsed them and dried them with a paper towel. The other option is to buy two or three sets of parts--two flanges, two bottles and then alternate so you don't have to clean them at work--if you have a Medela pump the extra parts aren't very expensive. I used a double electric pump and they aren't cumbersome at all--especially the new Medela ones--they're no bigger than the palm of your hand and they're fairly quiet. I know people who have the hands-free bra and their pump can pretty much strap on to them like a heart monitor when they pump--it's that small. They run on battery supply too--mine ran on something like 6 double A batteries and I used rechargeable ones--but I have one of the "ancient" models they don't even make anymore--the newer ones are fantastic. I can't imagine personally being able to keep up pumping just using a manual pump. I had one of those and it was a nightmare--even though it was a top model. Some women can hand express really well and that works better and more efficiently than a pump for them but I never was able to do that. But, you'll figure it out--the hot water seems like a good idea for you. Pumping at work isn't convenient, I think and it does take a big effort. Good job!
jessica2010
Registered User
I have total respect for you Gracey - pumping in your work situation with crowded office and one toilet!
I returned to work when my baby was 3 months. I read up a lot on pumping at work and was well across the principle that you need to pump the same number of times that you would feel. However when I was at work, it was just not practical to pump three times or even two times a day. So after a few days, I resolved to only pump once a day (at lunchtime) and it seems to be ok.
What I did was pump at home just before I leave work, at lunch time at work, then when I return home after I have given my son his 7pm feed. I was getting enough to feed my son exclusively for the last 3-4 months. Effectively you trick your body into thinking that your baby is now thinking heaps three time during the day. This way you don't need to sterelize your parts at work and you only need to pump once at work.
My son is now 6 months and starting solids so I have been able to decrease the pump sessions. But he is still exclusively breastfed.
Regarding pump type - I have the Medela Freestyle automatic double pump. However I quickly found out after the first day it was not the best option at work. Our office had multiple cubicles in the toilet and it was uncomfortable using an automatic pump as the sound would resonate through the toilet. So I have opted to use a manual pump which is more discrete and I ended up getting about the same amount out although it took a little longer.
I returned to work when my baby was 3 months. I read up a lot on pumping at work and was well across the principle that you need to pump the same number of times that you would feel. However when I was at work, it was just not practical to pump three times or even two times a day. So after a few days, I resolved to only pump once a day (at lunchtime) and it seems to be ok.
What I did was pump at home just before I leave work, at lunch time at work, then when I return home after I have given my son his 7pm feed. I was getting enough to feed my son exclusively for the last 3-4 months. Effectively you trick your body into thinking that your baby is now thinking heaps three time during the day. This way you don't need to sterelize your parts at work and you only need to pump once at work.
My son is now 6 months and starting solids so I have been able to decrease the pump sessions. But he is still exclusively breastfed.
Regarding pump type - I have the Medela Freestyle automatic double pump. However I quickly found out after the first day it was not the best option at work. Our office had multiple cubicles in the toilet and it was uncomfortable using an automatic pump as the sound would resonate through the toilet. So I have opted to use a manual pump which is more discrete and I ended up getting about the same amount out although it took a little longer.
Hi everyone, Due to the nature of my job, I can only pump once a day - and that's if I skip lunch! It's just not that flexible.
I think that's why the nurse warned me about mastitis. If I could physically pump 2-3 times a day -- or feed during the day -- that would be different. But the best I can do is feed before work once, pump once at work, and feed when I get home in the evening.
I think I have no choice but to go to mixed feeding. There's no way I can feed her enough while being away for 9 hours at a time, and not having the chance to pump much.
I'm OK with it. I've BF exclusively for more than 5 months, and will continue to partially BF.
It's just a bit frustrating.
I think that's why the nurse warned me about mastitis. If I could physically pump 2-3 times a day -- or feed during the day -- that would be different. But the best I can do is feed before work once, pump once at work, and feed when I get home in the evening.
I think I have no choice but to go to mixed feeding. There's no way I can feed her enough while being away for 9 hours at a time, and not having the chance to pump much.
I'm OK with it. I've BF exclusively for more than 5 months, and will continue to partially BF.
It's just a bit frustrating.
Gataloca
Registered User
I came back to work when my baby was 7 month old. I started pumping 2 times in the office (from the toilet), and also after the night feed. I could manage to pump enough for 2 feeds of 6oz each. When my baby was around 9 month old, I pumped just once at the office, and then at home (if I couldn't get enough for a single feed).
When I was pumping twice, I would rise the bottle and pump with hot water (if no one was in the pantry) and then put everything in the refrigerator till the next pump. At the end, I think everybody at the office knew that I was pumping , since I would just take the packed milk out from my bag (after the pumping) and put it in the freezer. I just didn't mind.
About dropping supply, I didn't really have that problem.. .In fact, I seemed to be pumping more than what my baby drink from my breast, as I always noticed that I pumped less milk on Monday, after we have spent the weekend breastfeeding without expressing.
About the pumps, I got 2 manual pumps from Avent, and would pump on both side at the same time.
When I was pumping twice, I would rise the bottle and pump with hot water (if no one was in the pantry) and then put everything in the refrigerator till the next pump. At the end, I think everybody at the office knew that I was pumping , since I would just take the packed milk out from my bag (after the pumping) and put it in the freezer. I just didn't mind.
About dropping supply, I didn't really have that problem.. .In fact, I seemed to be pumping more than what my baby drink from my breast, as I always noticed that I pumped less milk on Monday, after we have spent the weekend breastfeeding without expressing.
About the pumps, I got 2 manual pumps from Avent, and would pump on both side at the same time.
That's also an option...really. At one point I found because I was busy at work it was better for me to feed more at night so my daughter co-slept with us and fed throughout the night and then she didn't need as much during the day. I slept really well but then again, we co-slept with her from the beginning so I was used to it.
Wow. I must have a case of super sensitive nipples because any manual pump I used was just murder on them--I couldn't pump long-term with a manual pump. But, hey....if it works, do it, right?