Working and Breastfeeding: One Mom's Story

(Kaitlain's story of working and breastfeeding...even taking the baby to work!)

My biggest challenge actually came with the first child because of a financial decision. Although I had to go back to work when my child was 4 weeks old, I was determined to continue breastfeeding. He latched on easily from the beginning and was very content to nurse for a hour at each feeding.

But the office I worked in didn't have any convenient place for me to express milk. So during my breaks I had to sit in the disgusting bathroom with my very loud and clunky foot pedal powered (and yes, borrowed) breast pump.

At first, I was embarrassed because I was "taking so long in the restroom" and because of the noise of the machine.

Finally I mentioned the working and breastfeeding problems to one of the other office ladies and she gave me the best solution. Go home. Nurse your baby. Come back. As long as the work got done (data entry and PLENTY of it), there wouldn't be any problem.

I didn't live too far from where I worked. So I just left a little early for my lunch break and then worked a little later. My baby was always ready to nurse as soon as I came in the door.

Eventually, I altered my schedule to work an overnight shift and brought the baby along. He would sleep contentedly in his little seat and only occasionally wake to look around or nurse. He only cried loud enough to be noticed once. All the office staff (except for one rather obnoxious man) loved having a baby around - they would coo and hold him whenever they came to my desk for something. It was great!

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