Breastfeeding and the job

caliotter3 · Oct 18, 2009

Lots of people express their milk and provide their baby with that while they are at work. I tried to continue with breastfeeding and this method when I went back to work, unfortunately it was not a successful experience.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

I work with a homehealth nurse who goes home about every 2 hours to breastfeed hers. Her area is near her home though. I think homehealth would be the best option for you (if you dont have to travel far). Homehealth is supposed to be very flexible. With mine though, my patient load is so high,

Abishag · Jan 3, 2010

If you get the Medela double breast pump it is just as efficient as the ones rented out by the hospitals. Usually the same equipment fits both pumps. Anyhow, I nursed my daughter while working 40 hours a week at a bank. On my two 15 minute breaks I pumped and then again on my lunch sometimes if I needed more. I did this until she was 7 months old and then I quit my job but by then she was on table foods and juice/water and I was only nursing in the morning and at night (and sometimes before naps). You can do it. You just need fifteen minutes and the Medela pump comes with storage containers and a ice pack with bag. Technically you can store breastmilk at room temp for 6-8 hours or so. But I would just keep them in the cold bag until I got hom and either transfer them to bags to store in the freezer or put them in the fridge for the next day. Just write the date on the bag and don't use after about 3 months if you freeze them.

Best advice I can offer is when your milk comes in and you get engorged, take that opportunity to start storing that milk in the freezer. You'll probably get about 10 days worth. And many people will tell you not to pump while you are engorged so that you don't start making too much but I found you are going to get engorged no matter what (even months later because the baby skips a feedign or whatever). I found it as an opportunity to stock up!! I always pumped to reduce engorgement against the best advice and never had a problem with too much supply. It may have slowed down the process of reducing my supply but I'd rather be comfortable and take a couple weeks to reduce my supply than to be in that much pain for two days. And your body automatically lets down at night anyways! But I'm not a lactation consultant so take it for what its worth. :icon_roll

Anyhow, my cousin did nurse her baby while going for her MSN and working crazy hours as a ED nurse. She pumped in the car while driving and talking on her cell phone (you could hear the pump in the background). haha. It CAN be done!!! It will be one of the hardest things you've ever done (besides nursing school) and sooooo annoying (especially when you forget a piece of the equipment in the drying rack and have to stop your day short because you are getting engorged) and you might want to quit doing it. But after you do it, its the best accomplishment ever! But with that being said, if you get to the point where you feel formula is just the best route, your baby will not suffer for it! Even a few weeks of Breast milk is a wonderful start for the baby's immune system and consider yourself lucky for being able to do that much. Some moms don't get that opportunity for whatever reason and formula never hurt anyone! :yeah:

HTH!

mrod, LPN, LVN · Jan 10, 2010

Thank you so much for the advice, it is helpful. I can imagine how hard it is going to be but pregnancy and children are a challenge in itself anyway :) I will be breastfeeding for as long as it works out. I will not just give up right when I would go back to work, I am defiantely going to give it a shot. I just want to figure out the best way to do it. Several other people suggested pumping while driving as well LOL! I do alot in my car after the visit so that will be good time as well. Hey, if that is what it takes, I will make it work. My schedule is tight because I am a Team Leader, therefore I do SOC, ROC, Recerts and D/C's only and fill in treatment visit here and there. I also implement and develop policies sometimes with the Clinical Mgr, sit in team meetings for discussion of patients, go through OASIS training and refreshers, etc. Although my boss is very understanding and always understands when there is a wrench in the day and always helped me out.

So if anyone else has done this before and as a plan I am still open to hear some suggestions or schedule plans.

Thanks!