Breastfeeding is quite the commitment. For moms who go back to work when their babies are still young, it is a commitment that involves a lot of time hooked up to a breast pump. Having gone back to work with both of my little ones, I have some advice for those who will soon be pumping at work.

I want to stress the importance of figuring it out before hand. There are a lot of factors that make going back to work tricky (check out this post for how to prepare), but one of the hardest parts is getting used to pumping.

Practice Pumping At Work, At Home

This step is very important – not just for you, but for your baby, too! If you exclusively breastfeed your baby, they are likely going to be a lot happier with your boob than with a bottle at first. So it is important for you both to practice pumping and bottle feeding before the transition.

Get used to your pump. Replace a few of your baby’s nursing sessions with pumping and bottle sessions in the weeks leading up. Figure out what clothes make it easieSt for you to pump easily. Learn which bottles your baby prefers.

It is best to work out all of these kinks before you head back to work and have a million other things to worry about.

The more used to pumping and bottle feeding you and your baby are, the easier the transition will be.

Advocate For Yourself

Before you officially return to work, you are going to want to chat with your supervisor about your needs. Make sure that you have a private, comfortable space to available to you to pump in. Make sure that you are going to be given adequate time for the task.

It’s absolutely best to figure all of this out prior to going back, so that your transition into the workplace can be as smooth as possible. It is also important to figure this out early in case you have to educate your workplace on your rights as a pumping mother.

Hopefully you won’t run into any issues, but it’s important to be aware of the laws that protect your ability to pump at work. That way, if you get any resistance, you are ready to stand up for yourself from the get-go!

Consider Your Clothing

When pumping at work, I always wear two things: a nursing tank, and a pumping bra. That way, no matter what top I’m wearing, I am ready to go.

I find that having a pumping bra makes the entire experience considerably easier. I can pump hands-free, and multitask if needed. My favorite pumping bra is the Auden brand one from Target that can be worn as a normal nursing bra, but that converts to a pumping bra. It is discreet, comfortable, and totally functional.

Making these adjustments to what you wear can make your pumping experience a whole lot better.

Cleaning The Parts

When you are pumping at work multiple times a day, cleaning the parts can get old really quick. One solution to this is to bring enough pump parts for each pumping session, and then to just bring them all home at the end of the day to clean.

If you don’t have enough extra parts, you will have to clean the parts between uses. For me, my classroom (I’m a teacher) does not have a sink in it. And the bathroom is far away. So I have had to find products that help me clean my pump parts without water and dish soap.

These wipes are great for at-work pump cleaning! After I pump, I quickly and thoroughly wipe the parts down and they are good to go for my next session. So easy, and so convenient.

When I get home, I am able to sanitize the parts for the next day using a steam bag. But if I’m ever in a pinch at work and need to sanitize the parts, I also have pump sanitizing spray that does the job.

Storing and Transporting The Milk

Figuring out when and where you’ll pump is only a part of the problem. Then, you have to figure out where to store the milk during the workday, and how to get it home.

If you have an office refrigerator, you should be able to leave the milk (in a well-marked container) in there. Another option is to get a mini fridge for your own office space to store the milk in. It is also possible to leave the milk in a cooler depending on the length of your work day.

If you have a long commute to and from work, you are going to want to bring the pumped milk home on ice. I have this bag that allows me to easily transport the goods on my nearly hour long drive home.

Enjoy the Process of Pumping At Work

This might be the hardest part. Honestly.

Pumping at work can feel like such a chore.

It can feel like one more thing to fit into an already busy workday.

It can feel like an overwhelming responsibility that the world depends on.

But I’ve been trying to change my mindset on it.

When I pump, I am able to step back from the demands of the workday for a few minutes. I am able to focus on my role as a mother, even though I am far from my baby. I am able to sit with my thoughts and just be.

Good Luck Pumping At Work, Mama

Pumping at work is hard. There’s no way around it. But if it is what you want, it is absolutely possible (and there are other mamas out there who understand the struggles.) As long as you stand your ground and set yourself up for success, you can continue to breastfeed your baby even after you go back to work.

And if you choose not to breastfeed because pumping at work just isn’t working, know that that is totally okay! There are so many ways to be a good mom, and making sure your baby is fed, no matter what that looks like, is all that matters.

Going back to work is hard, but you can make it work. If you are feeling any guilt about your transition back to the workplace, check out this post to help you overcome.