Let's think carefully about this. You've been breast feeding now for a little while and you are now about to return to work. How do I get around the logistics of this you ask yourself? You've made arrangements at work so that there will be a private lactation area and a fridge to store your milk, hopefully you've prepared a feeding schedule with a bit of research, and you've expressed and frozen enough milk to feed your baby in the weeks ahead. If you haven't then you'd better. Next you'll need to identify the busy demands that lay ahead. Well don't worry, there's lots of information around and I've some tips for you below.
1. A straight forward approach in the work place is always the best. You may be concerned about how a colleague or client will react to your pumping at the office. Explain that you're trying to breastfeed your baby for as long as you can and you would appreciate it if they could direct you to a place where you could pump and store your milk. It's always smart to ask about an area for expressing or pumping milk prior to going back. That way they're prepared for your needs. It also helps to let people know what you're doing.
2. Plan to express or pump your milk. Put aside 30 minutes of private time twice a day, and let your co-workers know what you'll be doing, so they don't walk in on you. Avoid scheduling meetings too close to your "pumping time," as you'll need time to clean up and mentally prepare yourself for the next item on your agenda.
3. Ensure our pumping environment is as comfortable as possible, so you don't feel deterred from continuing breastfeeding. Try a baby-safe nipple cream to heal cracked nipples. If you're experiencing breast soreness, MaterniMates soothing gel discs (from http://www.kendallhq.com) can be refrigerated and applied to the breast for quick relief.
4. Ensure you have a reserve pump. To avoid forgetting your pump at home or misplacing it in transit, get a another pump to use at the office and on business trips. Many mothers like Medela pumps because they are portable, efficient, and nicely packaged in inconspicuous little totes. They also note that the Avent Isis hand pump (available from http://www.avent.com), which is compact, is great for relieving engorgement when there's no outlet in sight. If you're daunted by the expense of a second pump, consider renting one: Many breast-pump manufacturers and medical equipment suppliers supply rental pumps for very little.
5. Many smart moms dress in layers. Your breasts may leak during the day, layering can help avoid embarrassing stains on your outer clothing. Always keep an extra blouse at work, and take a cardigan or jacket with you when you're out of the office just in cae you have to go some where unexpected.
6. To stimulate milk production when you're apart from your baby, try this: On trips away, bring along a photo or an audio recording of your baby to make you feel closer to her. Drink lots of water. Always dump your expressed milk if you have doubts about its freshness. Preserving it on the trip home can prove to be difficult, and keeping up your milk supply by pumping regularly is more important than how much you bring home.
Here's one last tip: Be adventurous about pumping, and don't feel embarrassed about expressing milk whenever or wherever you are. It's a courtesy of course not to embarrass others who may be uncomfortable with all of this but if you ask or forwarn people, they are most often supportive.
