Breast pumps & pumping schedule?

Question

I have a lot of anxiety about having to pump when I return to work. My office doesn't have a spare room for me to use. I'm pretty sure by law they have to provide a clean, private space that isn't a bathroom. This means I have to kick my boss out of his office each time. Since my company is only 5 people, and doesn't fall under the FMLA laws though, I'm not sure if the breast feeding law applies either. Thoughts?

Questions: best pump? I've heard the medala in style is good.

How many times a day at work will I likely need?

How long does the process take? 10 mins? Half hour??

Answer

Kellymom.com is a great website. I took a breast feeding class that helped ease a lot of my anxiety about it and i have successfully beast feed 2 babies over a year and a half. Take the class a few months before you give birth. Nurses at the hospital don't have time to really teach you everything. It is not the same. Taking the class is worth it, trust me. I pumped twice at work and it took me about maybe 20 minutes to get the 4 bottles I needed while I was away from baby (they sell great wipes to clean your pump) I have a medela that I've used for 2 babies and still works and will be using it for my next one on the way, highly recommend it. I Breast fed her before leaving to work and breast fed her as soon as I picked her up from day care. Only time I pumped was at work. The boobs need to know there's still a baby there and the babies saliva will help keep that milk coming. There are also teas that help with milk supply. Mother's milk etc.... it will become so easy once you get the hang of it.

Answer

In the beginning it will probably take you much longer to pump as you are just getting used to it and may not be fully comfortable in the pumping space at work.  I think it to took me 30-45 minutes for a few months,  this included set up and cleaning pump afterwards.  After a few months it probably only 12 minutes or so pumping and another few to clean up.  You want to take your time and pump until you are fully empty. If you don't pump until empty your body thinks you have more than you need and will reduce production.  Milk us all supply and demand so you may have to adjust frequency you pump based on your personal supply.  Your employer cannot tell you how often to pump.  Typically you pump anytime your baby would normally eat so it depends on your baby's feeding schedule which changes over time. It is stressful at first but worth it. Kellymom has great info on everything breast-feeding.

Answer

Following this. I made up a schedule from birth to a year, but I'm sure it's not going to go exactly as planned. Based on what I was thinking I'd pump 3 times at work for 12 minutes each time. This is based solely on what I've been reading and I have no experience in this so take my words with a grain of salt!

Breast pumps & pumping schedule?

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