Breastfeeding... when you go back to work?

Breastfeeding in itself is a long journey; a journey that not everyone can or wants to partake in, and that is okay!

I am not here to say breastfeeding is better than formula or vice versa cause quite honestly, when the child gets older, it becomes the most moot point of their upbringing. FED IS BEST!

Now, for those who are breastfeeding and are working boss mamas, I wanted to share a few things I've learned and learned from others about pumping, bottle feeding (for daycare or alternative caregivers), and tricks to the system.

TOP TIPS and TRICKS:

1. Always have MORE than one set of pump parts!

   1. Washing and drying your pump parts nightly is exhausting. I always have 2-3 sets of parts available to grab and go if I'm too tired to wash the night before.

2. TRY to pump when your little one feeds.

   1. Whether they are at daycare or home with a caregiver, I found pumping when my little one ate at daycare helped me keep up with her intake.

3. Stay hydrated!!!

   1. LOTS and LOTS of water or hydration drinks. I keep a supply of body armor under my desk at work so I am never without something to keep me hydrated.

4. Invest in a wearable pump

   1. I recently got the Momcozy M6's, and it's been a game-changer for when I am pumping at work! I can be productive and pump while answering calls, emails, and even taking video calls.

   2. The M6's I've found to be rather bulky on bigger chests, though, so hot tip is to wear bigger, baggy shirts if planning to pump discreetly.

5. Use the fridge hack

   1. This hack suggests putting your pump parts in a clean Ziploc and storing them in the fridge between your pumping sessions for that day.

   2. Not all professionals recommend this, but I have found it to be useful as long as I am keeping my pump area clean.

      1. If you have a medically fragile baby (such as a preemie), please talk to their pediatrician, as they might suggest something different.

6. Set alarms on your work calendar AND phone for when it's time to pump.

   1. I get easily sucked into a spreadsheet, and on days that I am in back-to-back meetings, having something remind me to pump is so helpful to keep my supply going!

7. Set an alarm at the end of each workday to take your milk and pump parts home!

   1. Nothing is worse than leaving your hard-earned milk and now dirty pump parts at work.