Working moms/mums - come and share tips and support!

[MJMom]

Bryony, All I have to say is you are the most committed BF mom I have ever met.  There is no way I would pump in front of all those people.  Discreet or not.  And I'm curious, how do you remain discreet with a pump? 

I did put my pump parts in a freezer blocked insulated bag a couple of different days.  The bag seemed to stay cold enough to suffice for a good 10 hours. (at which point I came home)

Anne would probably have better advice on that.  I think she does it all the time.

[Bryony]

Bryony, All I have to say is you are the most committed BF mom I have ever met.  There is no way I would pump in front of all those people.  Discreet or not.  And I'm curious, how do you remain discreet with a pump? 

Well I don't have much choice I guess!!   It's quite easy to be discreet - I use a hand pump so I do not have to be plugged in and it's quite quiet. I just have to remember to wear a baggy top preferably with a V neck, so that I can stick the pump up inside my top, and then peek down the V to check I have hit the target      If I forget one day and turn up in a dress I will be really stuck though.  It helps if it's a meeting around a table as I feel a bit more hidden behind the table. And I have a picture of Katie on my handheld computer which helps to get letdown...

B

[marcimommy]

All i can say is WOW
I find hard enough to pump behind closed doors in my office. LOL
Katie is sure one lucky girl!!!

[joannaw]

I thought you were joking too, my God.  i have enough trouble leaving a meeting with my freezer bag in tow.  When i did this once they asked where i was going (a bunch of new people) and i said ' sorry nature calls' and immediately realised how that sounds.

I also put my breast pump in a freezer bag with a few ice cooler thingys - works for me anyway.  I daren't put it in the fridge at work in case someone freeks out.  I can't believe how many people ask me about this like i'm the first person in the world to do it.  I do get freaked out about doing it on time though (give or take 45 mins) and certainly couldn't miss one cos i'd be in agony. 

I am supposed to be moving to mixed feeding at Xmas cos hubby and i are going to France and we'll have the rare occasion of being able to get the grandmother to look after them for the whole day.  I won't be able to take any breast milk with me and won't have the chance to express before i'm there.  If i stop before Christmas this isn't a prob.  If i continue (which i want to) then i wonder how i'll do this, i.e. i will have to give him 2 bottles of formula in one day after him having only breast milk for 9 months.  Have you any ideas?

[marcimommy]

Are you going to fly? Can't you BF on the plane?
i have BF in public and it feels creepy but it's possible. Just cover that side with a light blanket. HTH

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Joanna - have you read the FAQ about traveling with breastmilk?  You could probably bring a couple of bottles/bags of milk on the plane if you wanted. However, a couple of feeds of formula should be fine too....the only problems I really forsee is it's possible your lo might not like the taste right away, and you also might get a wee bit engorged that day if you don't pump.  The next day or so, your supply might take a dip if you don't pump, but it'll likely come back up again fairly quickly once you're back to nursing.

[Bryony]

Joanna - if you think you are going to need to use formula, I would try and get your LO used to it beforehand....  perhaps mixed with EBM initially to get her used to the taste (not sure if that's sensible but it's what I am going to try next). Katie refuses to drink formula and looks at me in disgust and then spits it out...  if you think it might be an issue you might want to test it out beforehand rather than have your grandparents have the problem?

Bryony

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

The other thing to consider is that at 9 months, solids are fairly well established, so snacks can be an alternative for one day of babysitting too, if he won't take formula...

[MJMom]

You know... I have no problem BF'ing in public places in a big anonymous city.  I've BF'd on several buses and most all the train lines in Chicago as well as all the public parks within a 20 minute walk of my condo, not to mention a couple of Borders and Starbucks and the Nordstrom.  (well, nordstrom has a FANTASTIC lounge for BF'ing moms).  Pumping.... not so much.  I have a BF shawl that keeps things very well covered.  Well, except for that now Marina is more mobile when BFing and tries to flash me every chance she gets. 

As far as travelling? pp gave better advice than I could!  Good luck!

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Bryony - I use the insulated bag with the freezer pack that comes with it.  I am out from 6:30 am until about 5 pm and the milk stays really cold

[lyndsy_p]

Lisacarmen...in terms of washing up: I rinse my parts in cold water (as to not boil the milk) and dry with a paper towel after each pumping session. Then hand wash in hot (or put into the dishwasher) when I get home. You don't need to really "wash" them in between, although what Alissa suggests (storing them in the fridge) is good if you feel better doing that. Sounds like you have great output. After 11 days straight my output is down, but not much (14oz total with 2 sessions, usually it's around 16oz). Not that I'm bragging

Byrony...hand pump or not, that's still brave. I have to whisper "I'm pumping" to my receptionist in the showroom for fear that customers will hear me.

You know... I have no problem BF'ing in public places in a big anonymous city.  I've BF'd on several buses and most all the train lines in Chicago as well as all the public parks within a 20 minute walk of my condo, not to mention a couple of Borders and Starbucks and the Nordstrom. 

When I breastfeed in public I get the feeling that DH is more embaressed than me. He told me to "cover up for godsakes" one time and I totally bit his head off. I told him I could stop BF forever if he'd prefer, so shut the eff up!

Lyndsy

[Bryony]

thanks for all the tips everyone!  Anne that's good to lnow. Do you wash the pump in between or do you store that in the cool bag too?

Bryony

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Bryony - I was the parts in between with water.  They aren't big enough to fit into the cooling bag.  I do what Lyndsy does, rinse them off (then wipe dry with a paper towel) then wash them in hot soapy water when I get home.

[Bryony]

Cool, thanks!

Not sure that I will always have access to water (don't fancy using the stuff in the loos!) but my hand pump does fit into my cooler bag so think I will do that if I can't wash it

Bryony

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

If I don't have access to water, I use the Medela wipes.  Don't know if you have those in the UK but I would think so...but if your parts fit in the bag, that works too!!