2. Create a milk stockpile. I started pumping once a day when Hudson was around 4 weeks old. I would get up in the morning with him, nurse him, and then attempt to get him down for a nap around 9:00 a.m. Then I would pump…usually it was 30-60 minutes after I finished feeding him. Those first few weeks I would pump 2 ounces or so….and it was very discouraging. However, once your body gets used to this “extra” feeding session you will start to make more. Once Hudson was 10 weeks old I could usually pump between 4 and 7 ounces each morning. It’s best to pump in the morning…that is when you usually have the most milk.
3. Milk will be thrown out. Get over it. I send Hudson to daycare with four bottles. It takes some experimentation to learn how much milk to send with your baby. At first I over packed his bottles, just to make sure he had enough. Ask your daycare provider to record how much your baby drinks at each feeding and make sure you know your their policy on breast milk. The daycare Hudson attends will discard milk from a “used” bottle after one hour. That means, any milk Hudson does not drink from that bottle in one hour is dumped. This was so frustrating for me at first. That milk is like liquid gold and they are dumping it down the drain!!!! You’ll want to try and pack just what your baby drinks…..but if your baby is anything like mine, it can vary from day to day. So, I send Hudson to daycare with four bottles, each with 5 ounces of breast milk (each baby is different, so pack what works best for them!). Hudson drinks anywhere from 3.5 to 5 ounces at a time at daycare. So I send him with 20 ounces….and a few are thrown out…I’ve just had to get over it!

1. Find a location to pump. Did you know that employers with more than 50 employees must by law provide pumping mothers with reasonable time and a private place, not a bathroom, to pump? So talk to your employer about where and when you can pump with privacy. I am lucky because my employer is totally on board with my plans to continue breastfeeding. I pump in my office. I purchased a curtain rod and curtain to cover my indoor window for privacy. When I returned to work I made sure to let my co-workers know I am not to be disturbed when the curtain is drawn. I have had zero problems so far! At first I felt awkward, but really, no one cares! And they have reassured me that they cannot even hear the pump. I also have a shade on my outdoor window so that people outside can’t see the goods!
So what does a typical “work” day look like?
1:00 a.m. ish…..usually up once with Hudson. I breastfeed him and put him back to sleep.
Any questions? I know that each mom’s routine is different, but mine works for me. I would be more than happy to answer questions about my process at any time! Just send me an email (located under “contact” at the top) or leave your question in the comments of this post.
Next week I’ll talk about my future plans for breastfeeding.
Part 1: Getting Started
Part 2: First Days
Part 3: Getting Established
This is such great information. Thank you for documenting and sharing!
This is such great information. Thank you for documenting and sharing!
Wow, your pumping at work setup is much better than mine was! What a sweet setup! I'm jealous! Teaching is not condusive to pumping as you can't just leave your kids three times a day. I ended up pumping during the morning announcements (in our student thespian lounge, so I had to kick kids out and lock myself in there) and then at night after Kennedy went to bed. I ended up pumping enough of what she needed that way and it worked well for us. I love the Medela Pump in Style. I have the exact same one and it has been the best thing ever. I also agree with the bags – love those. I didn't have as good of a stockpile, either. I don't know how I did it with just the supply we needed the next day, but for some reason it worked and we never needed to supplement!
Great post, yet again!!!
Yes, my days look similar to yours except my baby is at daycare close to work and doesnt take a bottle (STILL) so at lunchtime I head over and nurse her.
This was great, thanks for sharing!
My days are similar, minus the fact that I went down to part-time in October so I leave at 2pm. I wish I had this sooner since it took me a long time to figure out a routine with how much to pump, how to clean my parts, etc. I just invested in a second set of parts after 4 months of washing and drying mine. The thought had never even occurred to me until another pumping mom suggested it!
You are such an amazing mommy and I am so proud of you for this!!!! I seriously wish I was still breast feeding…the doctor put me on antibiotics AGAIN yesterday so I would have had to quit anyway. Breaks my heart. Your little man is growing SO FAST! That last picture of him melts my heart, J!!!! I want to squeeze those cheeks!!!!! I love his little hands holding his toy…I can't wait till mine does that!!!! Thank you for sharing your BF journey…so many mommies need to read this!!!!!!
Thank you for this! Such good information and nice to read that someone else is in the same boat as me. I agree … Coming back to work was torture, but the added structure is nice and coming home each day is like Christmas!!
Our days are incredibly similar! It's nuts how much planning and organization goes in to getting your kid fed! 🙂
WOW, this really puts the whole working mom thing into perspective! I can't believe you get up at 5:45! Does it ever get easier?!
another great post on BF! i love this series. i always wondered how working mommies do it! so much dedication.
Great post! This one I have been the most interested in since I will be a working mommy too, and doing the pumping thing as well. Seems like so much, but I guess it just becomes routine. You sound like you have it down pat! Love that pic of Hudson. He is too precious!
Another great post! Our schedules are very similar…besides my little man not going down until 8:30 or 9! That leaves very little mommy/daddy time and makes my bedtime much later than I would like. I have heard that putting them down earlier works better, but I'm just not sure how to know when! Carter is 14 1/2 weeks…any advice there?
Oh, and don't you just love those bottles!? Washing all the bottles/pump parts makes me realize how nice it was when I was on maternity leave and got to skip that part! 🙂
Great post! It's definitely hard making that transition from home to work. When I pumped at work I never washed pump parts but just stuck them in the fridge at work. I washed everything when I got home. I actually heard that room temp breastmilk was good for 8 hours but never wanted to test it. Glad your situation has worked out well for you guys!
You are super mom! This was so informative Julie, thank you for taking the time to write all of this info down for us. It was been SO helpful!
You have a great set-up for work! And I'm jealous that you have a 8-4 job! I work for a construction company – so it's a bunch of men everywhere. Not only is it ackward at times to pump at work, but we are so busy my workday is usually 7:30-5 or 6ish. It sucks that I don't have a lot of time at home. What do you do that allows you a straight 8 hour day and office?!
This is such a big help! I go back to work at the beginning of April and this is a huge help in planning what I need – definitely ordering another set of pump parts – I didn't even think of that!
Oh my goodness – reading this brings those days right back for me. The daily mental calculations of how much I'd pumped vs. how much to pull from the freezer, pumping, feeding, washing – repeat again and again and again! This is why I can't even think of having another one right now! 🙂 You're a great momma and working so hard! Hudson's a lucky boy.
Thank you for writing these posts! I don't have any children yet but I've learned so much and I plan on favoriting these in my reader so I refer to them when we do have children!
This post is SOOO helpful even now! I've always wanted to know the details of a working mama's day. I pump 3x a day now as well and usually for about 20 minutes and then clean the parts. So it takes about 30 minutes or so each time. It looks like you pump for about 10 min or so? I am keeping this for the next time…super duper helpful!
OMG! Such an awesome post!! I know I'm really going to appreciate these someday! HAHA 🙂
Hi! Lurker here, just wanted to let you know if you refrigerate your parts after the 1st and 2nd session, they will be ok to use again and again instead of washing them. Then you can wash them once at the end of the 3rd session. Breastmilk can sustain in the fridge for up to 5 days, so it is no different than in the bottle than still on the pump parts. In fact, it is probably better for your pump… if you wash the pumps after each session and they are still wet when you go to use them again, you risk malfunction if water seeps into the pump. So I hope that helps!
Loved this post! it totally brought me back to those newborn days! tear, they fly by!!!
I just did a similar post! I find it so interesting how different everyone's system is! 🙂
This is such a great post! Pumping at work can be challenging so it's nice to share tips! I have the same pump and love it!
I went back to work for about 2 months before deciding to take a leave of absence and pumping was SO hard! My workplace wasn't accommodating at all and I had to pump in my classroom (with a wall of windows leading to the playground and germs of 27 first graders) or a dirty, dark storage closet! 🙁 Very frustrating! Not to mention I was only able to pump once a day during my 20 minute lunch! I was SO stressed. I feel like it should be required for ALL workplaces to provide pumping breaks and a clean lactation room with a fridge and sink!
Sounds like your days are busy, but you're doing a great job!
im so glad to read this post, i prefer moms who breastfeed, sometimes i understand it isn't possible but despite going back to work you still prefer to give your son the very best from your breast, ooh a little ditty 😉 anyways thanks for tis one day it will be me and i will appreciate you writing this post
Great post Julie. I have to really commend you on all your hard work, i can only imagine how exhausting it is some days! PS do you think it helps you produce more when you look at the live feed of Hudson while he's at daycare? My Mom always told me she thought that helped? Hudson is one adorable little baby, with one great Momma!!
WOw if that isnt determination then I dont know what is. I couldnt do it. But then again I was only able to last about 4-5 months with bf'ing my little man. I am sad but proud at the same time. I have to say after reading this entire post I commend you … but I have to say the sweet little boy that was at the end of the post was the best part! He's sitting up so well!
goodness! we have a mothers room at work for pumping so i know i can do it, but i thought i'd only need to pump 2x a day. i want to try and start pumping to store as soon as i can and i thought i saw somewhere to do it at 4 weeks and that did not seem like enough time to have a stockpile. i'm so happy i saw that you started so soon!
Julie- We literally do the exact same thing and have the exact same supplies! I CANNOT believe your childcare provider gets rid of milk after one hour?!! Isn't there a waiver or something you can sign? That doesn't even comply with normal BF standards…I'm mad for you.
Such a great post from your friend on BF and her triplets!! Crazy, very sweet post.
I wish our boys could hang together since they are so close in age and both have that yummy chunky chin 🙂
Delta love xoxo,
Kat
I just came across your blog and this series and this is perfect. I am expecting my first baby in September and while I wish I could stay home, I will have to return to work and I have no clue how I am going to get it all done. I'm a teacher and I barely have time to pee during the day and I can't even imagine trying to pump! My plan is to nurse for at least a year, so I am SO glad that I found this series and hopefully can find other mama's in similar situations. Thank you! xo
New to your blog, came over from Running from the Law. This series is great!
Haven't ready through the comments so disregard if it's already been said, just wanted to add another great tip is to freeze some milk in an ice cube tray. Each ice cube is 1 oz.
I find it makes filling up short bottles easy.
Keep up the good work!
Wow, good for you! In Canada we are lucky enough to year a year off for maternity leave, so I was able to breastfeed at home for the first year. By the time I returned to work we were down to one or two feedings per day. It's inspiring to read stories like yours!
This was so helpful for me. I am heading back to wrk next week and was worried about pumping while I'm there. My daughter is 7 months old now, so I'm hoping I only have to pump once or twice a day while at work.
Thanks again for the helpful informatioN!
http://mitchalycia.blogspot.ca
First off congrats on breastfeeding for a year!!
Thank you for this post! I'm heading back to work full time next week when my daughter is 5 weeks old and I am freaking out about pumping and having enough milk for her. I have almost 200 oz in the freezer but I don't know if that will be enough. I'm also worried about pumping at work so.I appreciate seeing your schedule and plan!
Thanks!!
First off congrats on breastfeeding for a year!!
Thank you for this post! I'm heading back to work full time next week when my daughter is 5 weeks old and I am freaking out about pumping and having enough milk for her. I have almost 200 oz in the freezer but I don't know if that will be enough. I'm also worried about pumping at work so.I appreciate seeing your schedule and plan!
Thanks!!
I know I am way late in reading this. I found your blog on http://www.mamaandmou.com/. Thank you for posting this about breastfeeding and work. Its a bit of fear of mine that I wont be able to keep up with breastfeeding and working. You have just eased my mind a bit now.
I just stumbled across your blog and I'm so glad I did! I recently returned to work and am getting into a routine with pumping, so it was so nice to hear about your day from start to finish. Thanks for sharing!
My friend introduced me to your blog because I have many breastfeeding questions and just want to succeed. Thanks for the informations. My latest issue is that my 8 week old now prefers the bottle and don't want to nurse. How can I get her back to nursing especially at night? As a BF mom do you use pacifier? Also do you use supplements like fenugreek to increase your supply? I know this post is old but I really hope you reply me. Thanks