HELP!!!! All the nursing nurses...

wishin*on*a*star · Dec 20, 2009

Does your baby take a bottle now? That's important to do before you start work. Someone else should give him the bottle. Start pumping and freezing milk now...and excellent advice to invest in a good pump. You should at the very least be able to pump during breaks/meal times. Most employers must provide time/place. That being said, ICU nursing is very unpredictable and there will be some challenging times ahead. All you can do is your best. Good luck.

jtmonique · Dec 21, 2009

I am breastfeeding my third child. Here are some hints start exposing your baby to expressed breastmilk in a bottle given by someone other than you try a few to find a nipple the baby likes. Invest in a good breast pump (electric) and start pumping I suggest pumping one side while nursing on the other freeze this milk untill you are ready to use it label it with the date and time. Even if you do these things your baby may not take a bottle! Breastfed babies are extremely adaptable If the baby is 3 months or older introduce cereal so that the caregivers can feed the baby while in their care the baby may nurse constantly during the 12 hours you are home! This is what my son did nursed all night on days that I worked and went to school and did just fine. Take your pump to work with you and pump while on break this will help keep your milk supply up, employers must provide an area for you to do this in on your break. You can do it!!!! I just weaned my son he is a year and a half, and I am currently nursing my 4 month old feel free to PM me with any questions if you like.

jennylouwho · Dec 21, 2009

I don't agree with introducing cereal at three months - new recs are six months to introduce any solids.

jtmonique · Dec 21, 2009

I don't agree with introducing cereal at three months - new recs are six months to introduce any solids.

I know it isnt the standard but if the child is able to hold their head up and the toungue thrust is gone and the child wont take a bottle it is an option ... I have an older child and when she was a baby 3 months was the reccomendation then it was 4 .... My dr. suggested this after I freaked cause my son wouldnt take a bottle It worked out. Im just giving advice based on my experience and no cereal at 3 months is not a first choice but in my case it was a saving grace. (rice and breastmilk)

nurserynurse55 · Dec 21, 2009

It is doable. My son is 12 months and I still nurse him. I just stopped pumping. The process is hard, but you just have to get used to it. You will have to use your break-time to pump. It is unfair to others otherwise. Breastfeeding nurses have it easier than most other professions with breastfeeding and working, because most hospitals have pumps and rooms available. Good luck and good for you!

bigbub3000 · Dec 21, 2009

i hope you get the job! do not discuss this issue during the interview. do not. do you hear me?

you need to talk with several lawyers (don't rely on just one) and learn what the state and federal labor laws are that govern

1. getting unpaid meal or rest breaks in the first place.

the next issue you must pin down is

2. what the law is re: breastfeeding and accommodating that.

i know where you're coming from but i must admit i am perturbed by you expecting to get no breaks, to just donate your unpaid 1/2 hour meal/rest break to your employer.

this is what's wrong with nurses. we expect and plan to be walked on. and we just lay down and let it happen.

if you live anywhere near your work, maybe someone can bring the baby to you so you can nurse sometimes on the breaks that you are going to take.

otherwise, you will just have to either not work, use formula intermittently, pump when you can steal a few minutes, or quit bf. it's as simple (not easy) as that.

hey, good luck.

bigbub3000 · Dec 21, 2009

It is a challenge to make time to pump at work but it can be done with good time management and determination. I pumped with my first child while working 12 hr day shifts on a very, very busy step down unit. Most days I pumped 3 times per shift but sometimes I would only pump twice. I was very worried before going back to work after maternity leave but it ended up being ok.
You don't even have to mention it at the interview or before you start working. Just show up the first day of work and when it's time to pump kindly tell them that you would like to take your 15 minute beak to pump. At the very least you should be getting two 15 minute breaks to pump and one lunch break. That is enough time to pump. Before going to work practice pumping in 15 minutes. You won't have time to wash out the parts but just stick them in a plastic bag and wash them during your lunch break prior to pumping the second time, then wash the parts again at the end of your lunch break in preparation for your third pumping time. After the third pump (your final 15 min break of the day) just stick the pump parts in a bag and wash them when you go home. By the time you go home your breast will probably fill up again (if you plan your last 15 min break just right) then you can bond with your baby and feed him or her right away.
You may be wondering, "If I'm pumping during my breaks, when do I eat??" Well I managed to do both! I used a hands free pumping bra, and it really works. There are many different brands on the market but I chose to use the EASY EXPRESSIONS HANDS FREE PUMPING BRA. It costs about $35 but it works and it is worth it! It has really allowed me to multi task during my breaks. I can talk on the phone, eat, and pump all at the same time. Try it, you won't be disapointed. I used it with both of my babies and it has really helped me to make the most of my rest and meal beaks.
You may be thinking that this is a lot of work along with all of the many tasks that we nurses have to complete during a 12-hr shift but it is so worth it for your baby. Plus it gives you a valid excuse to get away from the floor even when it is busy.Your co-workers and charge nurse will value your determination to pump also because they will see you pumping all of the time, and they will probably be more than willing to cover you for 15 minutes so you can go pump real quick. You benefit for a quick breather, and a chance to make a quick phone call if needed, and of course you baby benefits from moms good milk!!

In some states, rest breaks are not guaranteed. This is the fear that the OP expressed - she is expecting to not get any breaks.

The unpaid 1/2 hour break IS guaranteed to be paid if the employee makes it known that she did not get the break due to work demands. This unpaid break is not guaranteed to be given - the legal requirement is that the employee be paid for it if the employee was not fully relieved of duties and responsibilities for 30 minutes.

Your suggestions are great, just that the fear she expressed is of not getting any breaks.

I think engorged, painful, maybe even leaking breasts are as much a call of nature as the need to urinate or move the bowels. I would hope to God that some of her coworkers will come through to relieve her long enough to take care of herself. I hope she's willing to help them in return, of course.

AnalegnaRN · Dec 21, 2009

I am a ny nurse and I am aware that ICU nursing is tough and sometimes nurses don't get breaks and as a new graduate in a really tough job market right now I just really wanted some examples of how other nurses have BF and worked 12hr shifts like their schedule from morning to night of how they started their day. Ex. 5am wake up 5:30 BF 6:00 drop off child etc

My son will be 6 months in 2 weeks and I am about to start solids about now ( he is 5.5 months now) I am trying to be realistic about the floor in regards to breaks anf BF and as a new grad who needs this job I feel I kind of do have to take what is offered. I won't know anyone on the floor so one again its not ike I can walk in there and make demands or ask for help with a sort of personal issue. I will not mention my BF issue at the interview because I do need this job and who would u hire a new grad who they need to make BF accomodations for or not?

greenbeanio · Dec 22, 2009

A drop in supply is a serious concern and often a likely outcome of being separated from your baby, unless you are really committed to maintaining your supply and takes steps to ensure it. For in stance, if you have your baby in bed with you, he can make up for missed feedings (and missed contact) at night. See Dr. Sears for more ideas:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t026800.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T025100.asp

"Breastfeed full-time whenever you're not at work. In order to maintain and build-up your milk supply, you need to have days when you breastfeed frequently to make up for the times when you and your baby are separated. Try to adopt the policy that baby is given a bottle only while you are at work or away from baby, but is exclusively breastfed when in your care. This will build up a good milk supply and keep the two of you connected. Don't give bottles when you can breastfeed. Pumping does not stimulate the breasts to produce milk as well as a nursing baby does. You need to breastfeed your baby often during the time you are together in order to keep up your milk supply and insure that your baby stays interested in the breast. Many mothers who work the usual Monday-through-Friday, five-day work week, find the amount they are able to pump dwindles toward the end of the week. After nursing frequently all weekend their breasts feel much fuller on Monday and they're able to pump more milk and may even need to express more often to avoid uncomfortable engorgement. (Save this milk for later in the week, when your milk supply may be running low.) After a few weeks of juggling breastfeeding and working schedules, you will be amazed at how your body and your breasts adjust to making just the right amount of milk for your baby.

Enjoy nighttime nursing. Breastfed babies who are away from their mothers during the day often nurse more frequently at night. After mother returns to work, some babies reverse their daily patterns by sleeping more and feeding less during the day and then clustering their feedings during the night.

This is actually a good thing, and mothers who succeed at combining breastfeeding and working recognize this and even welcome it. They bring their babies into their bed so that they can nurse at night without waking up completely, and they treasure this extra opportunity for closeness. (Working fathers like it, too.) In fact, many mothers report that they sleep better with their babies next to them, even if that means baby nurses through the night. Breastfeeding helps mothers unwind, relax, and sleep better, just as it helps babies feel calm and comforted. Also, a long feeding in bed in the early morning, just before it's time to get up, will help baby sleep, or at least be content, while you get ready for work."

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2009

Another thing to think about it that since your baby is going to be starting on solids, you might not need as much milk so the pumping you will need to do will be less than what you might need to do for a younger baby.

That and the fact that you haven't started your job yet will give you extra time.

KateRN1 · Dec 24, 2009

I'm happily still nursing my almost-three-year-old and working full time. A few other things to consider: many breastfed babies will "reverse cycle" when they need to, meaning that they will take very little by way of bottle, cup, or solids until their mother returns. You may find that you are able to maintain a nursing relationship this way, increasing your breastfeeding sessions when you are home and available. Many babies will latch on and nurse all night when you're working during the day and then all day long on the days when you're home. Breastfeeding is a wonderful no-brainer way to reconnect with your little one after working long, hard hours. You don't have to worry about entertaining, preparing a meal, nothing. Just latch on and go. And please don't feel that you have to stop breastfeeding just because you're working. It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing situation, any breastmilk your baby gets is better than none. If you can only nurse certain days or certain times, let that be your reality.

Two great resources for the breastfeeding working mom:

Kellymom

The Mothering Dot Community

Abishag · Jan 3, 2010

I worked a full time job while pumping for about 7 months. I got the Medela double pump and it works fast! So I could put together the pump, pump, and then disassemble within 15 minutes getting about 12 oz. It slowly dwindled down over the months but my daughter could alternate with juice/water with the babysitter towards the end of the 7 mos. I quit my job at 7mos to be a SAHM and ended up finding that she went to mornings and nights anyways. She would nurse before naps but it wasn't much. More of a comfort thing.

My cousin used the Medela. She was a nurse in the ED while getting her MSN and so she found the best time to pump was during her drive into and home from work. And probably on lunch?? She would pump in the car while talking on her cell! :yeah:

Its one of the hardest things to do but even if your supply dwindles it at least keeps your breasts stimulated enough that you won't dry up. Besides, on your days off all the BFing will help to keep the supply up I would think?? If you have the little cooler bag that comes with the Medela double Breast pump with an ice pack the milk will last all 12 hours until you can get home and put it in the fridge. Since most units have a fridge anyway you can keep it in the bag in the fridge and then freeze it when you get home. HTH!