Questions for breastfeeding nurses...

Nurses General Nursing

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I am starting my first new nurse job on Tuesday (12 hr shifts). I breastfeed my five month old son exclusively. How hard is it to maintain milk supply while being away from baby for 13 hrs, three days a week? Also, how realistic is it to think that I will be able to pump at least once during the day while at work (I will be in a busy L&D unit)? I guess I am wanting some advice/words of wisdom from someone who has "been there, done that". Thanks!!

I had my last (surprise) baby at 43. I decided that I would not ever work full-time again but did have to go back part-time so we could still have medical insurance (dh is a private contractor logging truck driver). I went back to work when my son was 4 months old and he hated bottles.

I, like Deb, had a great pump, the Medela Pump In Style. I pumped twice a day at work and my family would bring my son in at least once during the day to breastfeed. I didn't have any problems with milk supply.

You simply must make sure you get your legally earned breaks and not put up with any shenanigans from higher ups.

My son breastfed until he was 3 1/2. (Yep:coollook: ).

Good luck with your job and congrats on your new baby!

steph

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I would support any nurse that needed to take a break and pump! I believe others on my floor would too!!!! It is important!

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
I would support any nurse that needed to take a break and pump! I believe others on my floor would too!!!! It is important!

As long as they, in turn, support the rest of the staff in getting their breaks, sure!

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I wasn't sure what a whisper pump was so I looked it up and all I have to say is WOW! When I had my children there was nothing like it on the market. Basically you can work and pump at the same time.

Whoever came up with this idea deserves the nobel prize!!

Home of the Whisper Wear Hands-free Breast Pump!

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Oh glad to hear about that whisper wear that looks neat. I'm trying to get pregnant and breastfeed my daughter until she was 12 months, but I worked right next door was able to pump at work even though my co-workers gave me grief about it all the time. But if you are determined to do it you can make it work. I work in the nursery so the pump room is in our department. We have a girl from ICU that comes over and pumpls. I was also worried about working nights now and pumping enough milk for when I was away, but that whisper wear looks like if it gets to busy go somewhere discreat hook it up and go back to work. Just hope the bags can't come off to easy. Probably wouldn't be to good for a milk bag to hit the floor in a patients room, but it could be a good teaching tool, "See Ms. So and So, you can go back to work and breastfeed."

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Specializes in Tele/L&D,NSY,PP,Education,Mgmt.

As a full time hospital lactation consultant I commend you for wanting to continue to provide breastmilk for your baby :yelclap: :icon_hug: :bow: :bow: :bow:

I must say I am impressed with everyone's advice to you. Remember, milk supply is based on two things: stimulation and milk removal, so ideally you should pump about every 3-4 hours or at least 2-3 times per 12 hour shift for about 15-20 minutes, or a little longer depending on your milk flow. Please remember that pumping does not remove as much milk as a baby does by nursing. Don't be suprised if you do not remove much milk. (However, some women can pump 8 oz bottles!) Using a good pump will help you to be more effiecient in milk removal. Medela's pump in style is a good one. However, if you have your own tubing (a kit can be purchased for about 45.00) you should be able to use a hospital grade pump (Lactina or Symphony) on your unit. I have worked Mother/Baby for most of my career and have never heard of any issues with someone who needs to pump. Talk to your hospital's lactation consultant if you have one. If you have a couple of extra minutes, try wetting two disposable diapers with hot water and hold one to each breast for about 5 minutes before pumping, then massage both breasts, then pump. Have a picture of baby or blanket with you and try to r-e-l-a-x. Pumping is hard, but any amount of pumping you are able to do is beneficial for your baby, don't stress yourself if you cannot keep to a schedule every time you work. You have already

given you and your baby benefits by having breastfed him for 5 months!!! If you don't have a LC where you work, I will always be glad to help you just PM me.

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