When I found out
I was pregnant with my first child I was so very excited. I signed
up for all the classes that the hospital offered. Among them was
a four hour breastfeeding class. It was broken down into two weeks
worth of sessions, each two hours in length. I couldn't imagine
why anyone would need that much instruction!! The
classes were run by an Internationally Board Certified Lactation
Consultant (IBCLC), and she seemed like such a warm caring lady!
I remember during one of the classes someone asked her how long
she nursed her babies. I was intrigued when she answered "probably
what most would consider a long time." I had no idea what
she could mean.
The first class
that was given dealt mainly with getting breastfeeding off to
a good start and how to be successful at continuing. The second
class was on working and nursing. Up to that time I hadn't given
much thought to what one does when she is working, and nursing.
I am so thankful now for that class. I never would have been able
to work and nurse my babies if it weren't for that IBCLC! She
gave us handouts covering what kind of pumps are available, spoke
with us on milk storage, what to wear to work, to facilitate pumping
and more. She made herself available to us by phone in case questions
came up later.
One disadvantage
for me with this breastfeeding class, was the lag time between
the class (August) and when I actually went back to work (January).
By that time, some of the finer points were fuzzy, and I relied
heavily on library books to keep me going. I knew no one else
who had worked and pumped for more than a few weeks. I am honestly
not sure what kept me going. The first few weeks back at work
were so difficult. I worked twelve hour shifts, so would be away
from home for fourteen hours on average. Fortunately I worked
only seven out of fourteen days. My baby would get up every two
hours to nurse, and I was exhausted. One day in desperation, I
laid down to nurse her, and didn't wake up until morning. As I
awoke I remember looking down to my peacefully sleeping babe,
who had her mouth still open, just an inch from my nipple. I giggled,
thinking of the all night buffet that must have gone on while
I slept peacefully. After that I never got up to feed her again.
She slept with me, and nursed at will all night. Both of us were
better rested!!
Another "learning
experience" for me came with the type of pump I was using.
On the recommendation of my LC, I bought a Medela Mini-electric.
At the hospital they had given me a Medela hand pump as well.
Trying to save money on a pump, I decided to use the two together
to "double pump" since I knew that would help my milk
supply. I'm sure I was quite a sight that first week!! I managed
a system to hold the mini electric in the crook of my arm, while
operating the hand pump with one hand, and holding it with the
arm that was holding the electric in place! By the end of the
first week I went out and bought a second mini-electric. These
pumps worked very well for me, even though they are not rated
for full time use. After eight months of using the two mini electrics,
a friend loaned me her Medela Pump in Style. It was wonderful
and I used it until I quit pumping when my daughter was fifteen
months old. I bought one for myself when I had my second daughter.
In the same way
that nursing a baby is a little different for every mom, so is
pumping for your baby. After reading all you can, and talking
with anyone you can find that has done it, it comes down to what
works for you. Here are a few personal tips that worked for me:
- Keep a "goodie
bag" at work with extra supplies. This helps increase confidence,
and often makes a minor setback one less hassle to deal with.
In my goodie bag I kept: extra breast pads, an extra shirt,
non-perishable snacks, some money (for those days I forgot my
lunch!), extra pump parts and a hand pump that didn't require
electricity.
- Develop a support
network. I worked with almost all women, few of which had nursed
a baby, and none had pumped for more than a few months. While
they couldn't give me 'been there, done that' kind of support,
there were several who were supportive anyway. You will probably
quickly learn who you can count on, and who doesn't really understand
why you are doing this. It is also important to find a support
network outside of work. My husband was very supportive, as
were my LC and parents. You need someone who will keep you going
during the hard times, not help you find a way to quit.
- Freeze milk
in small quantities. I found that this reduced waste, and was
easier to thaw. My husband was the primary caregiver for my
second daughter and had a fear of feeding the baby a bottle,
only to have her want more, and scream endlessly until he could
get it defrosted. I, on the other hand, had a fear of him wasting
the milk. Small portions seemed to be a good compromise for
us. I froze in ice cube trays--each one was approximately one
ounce. They defrosted quickly, and later were the perfect size
to cool off a bowl of oatmeal, and get it to the right consistency
for a baby on her first foods!!
- Have confidence
in yourself. One of the things that helped me the first time
around, is that I didn't realize that I could fail. I was naive,
and didn't know about all the things that could go wrong. When
I ran into a problem I remember thinking to myself "that's
funny, wonder what is up", and keeping on. I never kept
formula in the house, and just didn't think of that as an option.
In my weakest moment at the pump I remember thinking "so
what if I don't bring any milk home? What if I'm tired of all
of this?" then I thought of the alternative (formula) and
figured my hubby would be disappointed, and so would I after
I got some rest!!
- Get a dishwasher.
Sounds silly, but it was such a wonderful thing for me. When
I got home from work, the last thing I wanted to do was take
apart my pump and carefully wash it so I could have it ready
for the next day. It was glorious to be able to toss the parts
in the dishwasher and have them ready in the morning! Whether
you get an automatic dishwasher, or designate the duty to your
husband, this is something I highly recommend.
- Get a routine
for your homecoming. There was one occasion--ONE only when my
milk got left out all night. I had asked my husband to get it
out of my pump bag, and put it away, and he didn't hear. You
can only imagine the weeping that happened over that milk!!
Get a routine down for putting away your milk and prepping the
pump for the next day. While that is the last thing you want
to do, it is important!!
- Enjoy your baby.
This sounds obvious, but it is so important!! When you are working
and nursing, often there is so much extra work given to feeding
the baby, that we forget to pure and simple enjoy her! Granted,
pumping creates some extra work, but it is important, and we
shouldn't lose sight of why we are doing it. Take time to enjoy
the baby--even if it means taking a sick day now and then. You
and your baby deserve it.
Read more Tips
for Working and Nursing Successfully.
05/2001 |