Nursing while nursing, can it be done??

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

Hello, I start a new job Monday and I have a 2month old. She has been exclusively breastfed. Since receiving the job offer I pumped. But due to the recent Hurricane I lost all of my pumped milk. I am so miserable now. There was only one time I was able to pump in my nursing career, and that's when I worked in Primary Care. My baby is struggling with accepting formula and so am I. Although the job is only part time, the first week is a full week of orientation (I don't think I can pump enough before than). I am so stressed over this, does anyone have any tips or advice? Thanks in advance!!!

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congrats on your little one! on our unit, we have had lots of new moms and we always allow them to pump in a spare pt room however often they need to. our hospital is very supportive, and even lend their pumps! they keep the milk in the milk fridge/freezer and take it home at the end of the shift :)

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Specializes in NICU/Subacute/MDS.

Congrats on your baby and new job! Try not to stress so much for the sake of your baby and your breastmilk. Your employer is legally obligated to allow you time to pump (at least here in ca). Even if you pump just 10 minutes 2 or 3 times during your shift it will really make a huge difference. I'm so sorry you lost your supply but you can still keep breastfeeding if that is your wish. Remember, your baby goes through periods of needing,more or less milk and your body has always adjusted. If your baby needs more milj after you get home from work, your body will tune into that. You are a great mom trying to provide for your baby and family. Don't feel guilty for going to work, you are a great mom!

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

My 6 month old was born a week before spring break of my final semester of school. Since I had to get right back into school so quick (he was 2 wks), I worried a lot about whether I would be able to get a good supply pumped for him. I started pumping during the 2nd wk before returning to school, usually pumping on one side while he nursed the other. Sometimes, I would even pump in between his feedings which increased my supply. The first week or so when he was at the sitter's, I was just keeping a few bottles ahead of him. But for every feeding I was away from him, I was able to pump twice as much as he was eating, so my supply grew quickly! My clinical facility was great & had a lactation room that I could visit when I needed to.

I think if you can manage to pump enough for 1-2 days' feedings before you start working, then the pumping you do while away should keep you ahead.

Is it the formula baby is having trouble adjusting to or maybe the type of nipple used on the bottle? I had to change about 3 times until finding one he would take reasonably. Just a thought... Good luck & congrats!

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

Thanks for all the advice and support. :loveya:

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Specializes in OB-L&D, Post partum, Nursery.

Congratulations! We have nurses at our facility who pump PRN, we have a nice little breastfeeding room and provide electric pumps for the staff to use. We even buy them an electric pump to use at home! Breastfeeding is your right, your employer should be accommodating. Best wishes :)

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Specializes in maternal child, public/community health.

Remember it is only a week of full-time. You and your baby will survive. Pump as much as you can this weekend - before you go to bed, while the baby nurses on the other side, first thing in the morning. Whatever you can do. If you need to supplement with formula the first couple days (you will probably catch up with the demand after that), have them mix formula and breastmilk - she will be more likely to take it that way. You can continue to pump some in the evenings for the week you will be gone.

Try to get to work a little early the first day and let them know that you will need to pump. Ask about scheduled breaks and figure out how many times you will need to pump in addition to that time. It seems like you always have to watch umpteen videos in orientation. See if you can arrange to watch those at a later time so you can pump while the rest are watching the videos. Most orientations I have been to are pretty boring (sorry HR people but the 10th time watching blood-borne pathogens is hard to make exciting). They seem to recognize that and give several breaks each day so you probably will find it is not too much of a problem. Be sure to bring a small cooler the first day in case there is not a frig handy. Probably not a problem once you are on the job and can figure things out.

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Specializes in tele, oncology.

I had no problems...first was while I was in nursing school full time and working part time, we made it 10 months, second was while working 50-60 hours a week and we made it 15 months.

I took Fenugreek and ate oatmeal with the second to help keep up my supply, since I was working so much. My co-workers were great about it...if it was a busy night and I hadn't gotten a chance to pump, once I hit a certain size they were practically pushing me into a room to pump. (Apparently gaining about three cup sizes in a few hours is noticeable...who'd of guessed? :) )

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