Returning to Work after Having a Baby

Published

Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

Hey everyone, it has been so long since I have been on the site. I am glad to be back!!! I had a baby 9 weeks ago and will be returning to work on the 17th. We are VERY busy and a growing HHA. Addes several PTA's, another full time nurse, and 2 LPN's since I went on leave at the end of March. I start back part time the first few weeks (I think I will be working a little more than anticipated when I first return, eek).

Anyways, I am still breastfeeding and want to continue to breastfeed for at least 6 months, ideally I want to make it to a year if I can though. My question is, how did you mothers make it work in HH while breastfeeding? I plan to pump while at work but not sure how this will work working out of a car. And summer is quickly approaching us. This week has actually been really nice and in the 80's all week.

How did you find a private place to pump and keep your milk cool enough to be able to use or freeze? Any advice would be wonderful.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a Medella pump and was able to get a car adapter at babies r us. I would find a shady spot and cover up c a wrap and pump while I ate lunch or charted. Just keep a cooler in the trunk. And leave the car running, I forgot a couple times and ran the battery out, lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.

I was actually still working in L&D when I had my baby (I do home visit now, so I've given this a lot of thought). I second the other poster. A Medella Pump In Style is one of the best pumps you can buy, and they come with car adaptors. If you're worried about someone seeing, use a nursing cover. I encourage you to keep pumping! I, too, took a 9 week maternity leave. I pumped until my baby was 12 months old, but continued to nurse until he self-weaned at 16 months. It was often difficult. We had a very busy unit, and some of the older nurses were less inclined to want to watch my patients, especially after the baby was about 6 months old. My manager was the worst, and she was in her 30s! I begged her to watch my patients one day after I'd gone 8 hours without pumping (and I was dying from engorgement) and she rolled her eyes and asked if I really had to right that minute. One of the older nurses stepped up for me that day. If I'm lucky enough to have another baby, I will probably take the same amount of maternity leave, and I will be pumping. And, since I do home visits, it will probably be in the car!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Hi! I'm not a nurse yet, but am an experienced pumper and breast feeder. If you can, start pumping and freezing milk before you go back to work. This will make it so it isn't critical you pump out a ton of milk each day at work, because you'll have reserves.

Also, I pumped in my car before when I worked full time. It can be done! The medela pump in style is the best! Get a hands free band also so you can double pump, also. This way you can drape a towel or cover over your breasts and read a book while pumping. I think I even pumped while driving hands free.

Good luck! And Congrats on the new baby.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion