Expressing Breastmilk In The Midst of Chaos

by Arlene
(PA )

Visitor Breastfeeding and Working Tips for Expressing Breast Milk at Work:

My name is Arlene and I am an emergency room nurse. I am a very staunch supporter of breastfeeding. My mother had breastfed all of her 5 kids and I want to do the same for mine.

I just had my second daughter 6 months ago and after taking 3 months off, I went back to work part-time. My first daughter is now 4 years old and I breastfed her for 17 months! With her, I went back to work full time. And boy, was it tough for me. This second time around is a lot easier in comparison.

Environment:

My experience with expressing breast milk while at work has not been easy. As all breastfeeding moms who are also working moms know, a peaceful and calm environment is very essential when it is time to express milk. It is even suggested that you have a picture of your precious baby as a visual stimulation for letdown reflex. (I used this trick.) You have to be relaxed. This is just almost impossible where I work. I can hear patients yelling for help, doctors being paged overhead, alarms binging from all directions and ambulance siren in the distance! Organized chaos - that is exactly how I would describe it. After a while, I did get used to it but it was hard, especially the first couple of weeks.

Location:

The location for expressing breast milk is very important. It has to be sanitary. It has to be free from interruption. It is very hard to pump milk when every second you are on edge thinking somebody might be knocking on the door and interrupting you. In an ideal setting, a room with an electric outlet, a chair, table and a sink would be present. Luckily, the doctors I work with are generous with their lounge room and so I use that when it is time to express milk. Once they see the door is closed, then they know. I only have to deal with being interrupted once or twice and it was during the first few days of coming back.

Support:

You would think that working in a health care setting, more working moms would be breastfeeding their new babies. In my experience, that is not the case.

But despite that fact, everyone is very supportive of me and my desire to continue providing breast milk for my baby even when I am working. They cover my assignment/area when I have to express milk.

They give me time even when it is so very busy and the place seems to be falling apart. I do get some good-natured teasing once in a while but I guess that's what friends do at times, right? ;)

Words of Encouragement:

For the working moms who are contemplating breastfeeding but are deterred by the thought of expressing while at work, do not be discouraged.

If you are determined to do it, then you CAN do it. Arm yourself with lots of information. Know the disadvantages that you might encounter and think of ways to overcome it. Read other working mom's breastfeeding stories and be encouraged by their experiences.

Connect with another working mom who is also breastfeeding. The encouragement you provide to each other is invaluable.

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