Category Archives: breastfeeding

Pumping at Work Tips (How-to Guide and Must Haves!)

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NOTE: This post contains affiliate links and codes, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links and codes, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I love. Please read my full disclosure here for more information.

INTRODUCTION

Breastfeeding (if one chooses to do so) is one of the biggest challenges of motherhood, but also one of its most rewarding aspects.

For full-time working mothers, especially new moms, pumping breast milk at the work site is a dreaded necessity. Pump breaks are essential in order to maintain milk supply while women are away from their babies (once maternity leave has ended). The first day back at work is particularly draining.

The good news is that, in most cases, employers are legally required to allow nursing moms reasonable break time to pump during work hours – in a private room other than a bathroom – for one year following delivery.

If Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – a federal law – applies to you, your right to express milk at work is protected under the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law. If you are an hourly employee, you are likely covered by FLSA. (You may want to confirm with your HR department that you are covered.)

I’m going to compose a step-by-step pumping plan for work!

TIMING / FREQUENCY

You will need to express breast milk – on average – at the same intervals (more or less) as you would normally breastfeed your baby. My first pumping session was usually between 9-10 a.m., the second was during the lunch break, and the third pump break was usually between 4-5 when I was wrapping up my work for the day. This pumping schedule is important for preserving your milk supply and milk production away from your baby.

LENGTH OF PUMPING TIME

This varies from woman to woman. Some (lucky!) women are able to pump quite quickly – in as much time as 10 minutes. For others, it takes extra time for the milk to flow and for their breasts to empty fully. Personally, it took me 30 minutes (including setup and cleanup) to pump each session. Of note, looking at photos of your baby while you pump can help in this regard.

SPACE

If you do not have your own office, work places must provide a pumping space (not a bathroom!) to a breastfeeding employee if you are covered under FLSA (see above), and many have a dedicated lactation room.

METHOD

A pumping bra (allowing mom to remain hands-free) is crucial in order to complete work tasks while breastfeeding. Multitasking is key! It will help you avoid that rising feeling of panic that comes from getting behind on work while pumping.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1) In the morning…it is a good idea to place each phalange (with attached parts) in a separate gallon size ziploc plastic bag. You will place these 2 plastic bags in your breast pump bag, along with a sharpie pen, breast milk bags, and your breast pump + cord.

2) When you are ready to pump…the first thing you need to do is attach each phalange to each breast via hands-free pumping bra.

3) Pump!

4) When finished, you will need to pour the milk collected into the pre-sterilized milk bags stored in your pump bag; you will use the sharpie to label the time, date, and ounces of milk pumped.

5) Store milk in a refrigerator.

6) Clean pump parts (suggestions for this below).

7) Repeat at next pump.

8) When done for the day, take milk and pumping bag (containing pump parts) home, and immediately store milk in the freezer upon arrival. Make sure you have ice packs in the milk bag for the journey home (when your milk would be at room temperature).

9) Clean pump parts thoroughly with Dawn and water; allow to air dry on a paper towel or drying rack overnight.

CLEANING

This is probably one of the most trying aspects of pumping at work. For many, who have only a cubicle for their work space, finding a place to wash (and dry) breast pump parts is daunting. It takes time to wash pump parts, and finding a place to allow them to air dry can be difficult as well.

When I was pumping, I used to place my pump parts in a plastic bag in the refrigerator in between pumps in order to avoid washing pump parts between pump sessions. Although I did this successfully with no issues for both my children, the CDC now recommends washing between sessions regardless. Therefore, I do recommend washing the parts between sessions, per official health agency recommendations, in order to avoid bacterial contamination. The quickest way to do this is to employ special breast pump part cleaning wipes (more on this below, in my “Recommended Products” section).

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

1) Baby Buddha Breast Pump – I used Spectra for pumping with my first baby since it’s one of the pumps which most insurance plans cover. With my second child, however, I used the Baby Buddha Breast Pump. It was a complete game changer – it helps with portability, milk output, and increasing supply. Plus, it is a hands-free pump and, when paired with a pumping bra, a wearable pump! I was able to dramatically increase my pumping output at work with this pump! Plus, the pump itself is the size of an iPhone and hangs around your neck with a strap. It is not covered by insurance, but it is worth every penny! It is – far and away – the best breast pump. (Often times, you get what you pay for, and this is certainly the case here!) Although this pump is listed at $249.99 on the website, it is often on sale for $189.99. You can get a 10% discount when purchasing this pump at the website with this code – MAKEUPDIVA10. Please read my full review here.

Baby Buddha Breast Pump

2) Hands Free Pumping Bra – As stated above, a hands-free pumping bra is a must-have for pumping at work. It allows multitasking in a way which is impossible otherwise. I personally used the hands-free pumping bra from Motherhood Maternity (featured below).

3) Cleaning Wipes – Obviously, cleaning with Dawn and water is ideal, but, if time and space are lacking, these quick cleaning wipes from Medela are a Godsend! I also love cleaning baby toys with this as well.

4) Breast Milk Bags – These milk bags from Lansinoh are iconic, and for good reason. They rarely leak or burst, and they are easy to use. It’s not recommended to store more than 180 mL of milk in these bags.

5) Pump Bag – Having a good pump bag is essential. It allows you to store your pump and parts, as well as accessories such as breast milk bags and “the sharpie.” I used this one below, and it served me well.

6) Milk Storage Bags – While some pump bags (such as above), do contain a compartment for breast milk, some don’t (in which case you will need to find one such as below).

Hope this was helpful and that you found some great ideas! If you need additional information for your pumping needs, I recommend that you consult a certified lactation counselor.

Related: Baby Buddha Portable Breast Pump Review (with 10% Special Discount Code!)

Baby Buddha Breast Pump Review (with 10% Special Discount Code!)

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Baby Buddha Portable Breast Pump

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links and codes, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links and codes, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I love. Please read my full disclosure here for more information.

If you are a mother who has been following the baby formula shortage on the news, you have undoubtedly been struck with compassion for those affected.

Although many women are unable to breastfeed (for multiple reasons), it is more important than ever that those who are able to do so receive the support they need during their pumping journey.

I strongly believe that the Baby Buddha portable breast pump is one such critical tool for new moms – quite simply, a game changer and the best pump!

In terms of portable pumps (and hands-free pumps), this is the best closed system pump PERIOD.

As a currently breastfeeding working mom, I can affirm that an excellent pump is absolutely crucial for success. For many of us, work demands limit us to brief 15 minute pumping sessions; suction must be strong in order to maximize milk output in less time. A huge plus for the whole process is portability, especially for those of us with an older child to tend as well.

Before I launch into my explanation for how the Baby Buddha fulfills both of these vital criteria, I would like to share my own personal experience.

The Baby Buddha was not my first pump.

With my first pregnancy, I was determined to breastfeed. I knew so much about the benefits to the baby. However, as with many first time mothers, my nursing journey had a rocky start. My first child did not latch, and I was forced to resort to a standard pump covered by my insurance plan, the Spectra S (2), and to supplement with formula. My breast milk production did not accelerate as I had expected, and I was disappointed. It was a hard time! The Spectra simply did not extract enough milk; my body definitely seemed to recognize the difference between a baby and a pump! At 3 weeks old, however, my firstborn finally learned to latch, a development that rescued my milk supply. In little time, I was able to establish and maintain a respectable (although not bountiful) freezer stash on a regular basis, which allowed me to breastfeed my son until 14 months.

Fast forward to my second pregnancy…this time, I researched pump options extensively. More and more, I was contemplating the need for portability, as I would now have a 2-year-old to chase around the house in addition to the nursing baby. Sifting through the traditional pump options covered by my insurance provider, including the Spectra as well as the Medela pump, I was a little bit underwhelmed. There were rumors that most of the other portable and wearable pumps on the market, such as the Elvie pump and Willow Go pump, have weak suction levels.

After researching YouTube videos and reading some great reviews, I decided to give the BabyBuddha breast pump a whirl.

Listed below are some standard facts about this beautiful little gem of a pump:

1) Size and Portability – The Baby Buddha is a small and lightweight double portable pump, the size of an iPhone, attached to a strap which you can hang around your neck. The lightness of it allows a pumping mother, when the pump parts are secured in place by a hands-free bra, to fold clothes, put away clean dishes, care for an older child, and complete numerous other household chores while pumping. This is essential, and it made life far easier than when I was pumping for my first child. The small size of it also allows for easier storage in a pump tote bag. The pump must be charged in order to achieve this portability; it contains a rechargeable battery. The battery life is around 4-6 hours.

I’m including a picture below (obtained from the Baby Buddha website) of the complete setup:

2) Versatility with Pump Parts from other Brands (Different Pumps) – One of the best things about the Baby Buddha breast pump is that you can attach the pump parts from another standard (free and insurance-covered) pump to the Baby Buddha. For instance, I used the pump parts from my old pump (the Spectra) with my Baby Buddha, and it worked like a dream. I simply attached the Baby Buddha tubing directly onto the Spectra parts. The Baby Buddha website actually includes some neat little infographics (see example below) about the best way to attach parts from the most common breast pumps (Spectra, Medela, Ameda, Evenflo) to the Baby Buddha. Although the Baby Buddha website offers its own pump parts, I much preferred to attach the pump to my Spectra parts, with which I was most familiar. This pump can also attach to Freemie collection cups, another easy option.

Spectra pump parts attached to Baby Buddha pump

3) Powerful Suction Power – The Baby Buddha breast pump provides a unique suction pattern, which mimics the suction pattern of a baby. This leads to a long pull, which is so strong that it can sometimes catch nursing mother’s off-guard! (You can change the suction with a simple swivel of the thumb over the rolling ball on the front of the pump.) The good news is that I obtained twice as much milk flow from this powerful pump, especially during the first few months when milk production often peaks naturally. For me, it provided the suction of a hospital grade pump. This soon led to an enormous freezer milk stash, such as I had only seen on Pinterest or heard about (with envy) from over-producing moms. I could not believe it. With my first child, I had a decent stash – but nothing like this wealth of breast milk! It became a bit of a joke in our family – I was able to fill our freezer to brim as well as that of my parents-in-law. I produced so much breast milk that my in-laws told me not to bring any more milk since they did not have any more room in their freezer! Ha! Truly – it was and is a wonderful problem to have.

This is exactly what my freezer looks like!

A few other thoughts…

This device, while not a quiet pump, is certainly not loud either.

The only 2 drawbacks to this lightweight pump …

  • I did seem to have to replace the breast pump parts more frequently; the strong suction of the pump seemed to wear out my Spectra parts sooner. However, I did not have to replace them more than once per month, and that is actually the official recommendation for ordering replacement parts.
  • I personally did not care for the Baby Buddha pump parts (flanges, etc.). I would recommend attaching the Baby Buddha pump to those pump parts for which you are most familiar. In this way, you can customize the pump to your individual needs and personal preferences.
  • This pump is usually not covered by health insurance. However, an application for insurance coverage is provided on the website here; prescription is required.
  • Customer service on the Baby Buddha website was excellent. I sent several emails with questions, and I often received a response within minutes. Yes, minutes!

OVERALL…

This pump, quite simply, changed my breastfeeding journey. That’s the bottom line. I wish I had had this type of pump during my first pregnancy. This is one of the best breast pumps, if not THE BEST breast pump! It will fill your freezer with the most milk in no time!

DISCOUNT CODE

  • Although the cost of a breast pump is listed at $249.99 on the website, it is often on sale for $189.99. You can get a 10% discount when purchasing this pump at the website with this code – MAKEUPDIVA10. Simply enter the code MAKEUPDIVA10 at checkout.*

*Please note this discount code can be applied to the Baby Buddha pump itself, not the Baby Buddha pump parts.

Related: Pumping at Work Tips (How-to Guide and Must Haves!)

If you have further questions, please seek out the advice of your local lactation consultant.