For many women, maternity leave must come to an end and then it is back to work. For some women this is a welcome change, and for many this is a very difficult transition. How can you prepare for going back to work to make the transition easier? Let’s talk about it…
Invest in a good breast pump. To go back to work and pump enough milk for your baby, most moms find that a double electric pump is their best bet. This allows you to pump both breasts at the same time and save yourself some time.
Get a Hands Free Pumping Bra. It’s very annoying when you lean over to grab something and knock a flange loose. The suction breaks, and you have to readjust. A hands free pumping bra will hold the flanges where they belong so that you can read, work, or have your hands free to play games on your phone. It makes the pumping experience much less cumbersome.
Get fitted. Most mom don’t know that the flanges that come with your pump come in several sizes, and after-market parts can also change the shape! We know that every breast is different, but we don’t always think about how that relates to pumping. The right size flange will allow you to maximize your pumping output.
Create the environment. Every mom is different in this situation. Some moms find having a photo of their baby, or thinking about their baby helpful when pumping. Some moms find it REALLY stressful to think about the baby they are apart from, and need things to distract them to get the milk flowing. As you prepare to go back to work, figure out which works best for you and you can save yourself a lot of stress later.
Get extra parts. It is an awful feeling when you sit down and get your pump out to realize your membranes or valves are at home on the drying rack. Having a second or third set of parts helps make sure you will never be without the pump pieces you need when you arrive at work to pump.
What helped you prepare for going back to work?
