Expressing

[heket]

For those of you who have gone back to work and have the opportunity to express while there, I was wondering the following:

1) Do you express at home as well?

2) Do you feel that your breaks are long enough to properly express (i. e., is 10-15 minutes enough time for you)?

I was exclusively pumping before I returned to work, because dd and I had feeding from the breast issues. But it does make it tough to increase the supply when necessary, so often we use formula.

As for my breaks, it feels like just when I get into the rhythm of it, my break is just about over and it's time to get back. But thankfully my job has a lactation room and my boss is very understanding about my slightly extended breaks.

So what's it like for you?

Nissa

[captain optimism]

I have been very lucky, and my luck is about to run out. I have my own office, and I use a PIS at my desk. I either took a break or didn't, according to how much work I had--I can still talk on the phone or write while pumping. I was able to feed my baby with no formula at all, thanks to the many tips I got from people here. We didn't introduce food other than breast milk until six months.

Next week, however, I am going to be moving into a tiny office with two other people. We are doing renovations on our building. I hope I'll be able to get as much milk pumping in the ladies' room. I can't think of another place to do it, as all the free rooms are going to be occupied. Alternatively I guess I can pump in front of my two coworkers, but I don't know if I can handle that--or if they can, they aren't all that pro-breastfeeding.

I have had some problems with blocked ducts, pumping at work. Recently I started taking lecithin and it seems to be helping. I'm also taking a B vitamin supplement, also on the advice of someone here. I do a lot of things to keep my supply up. I have taken lactation herbs, fenugreek, blessed thistle and nettles (and also alfalfa for awhile.) right now I'm just taking the nettles because they are a good nutritional booster. You have to also drink a lot of water.

Sorry about your feeding from the breast issues. I admire you for continuing to pump. You won't regret it, I believe: my son is very healthy and beautiful, just as all the lactivists promise.

[1xmom]

Just wanted to say, that when my dd was a baby, I pumped at work, 2x/day and nursed dd when we got home. I did that for a year and have never regretted it. I did pump at home, too and was able to freeze a decent supply. It wasn't easy, but the determination paid off. I never had to give her formula and my dd is almost 4 now and is very healthy.

[tinksmommy]

My dd is 5 month old, and I've been back at work since she was 7 weeks. I pump twice a day for 25-30 minutes. I also pump one side in the AM before leaving for work. I don't have "breaks" at my job (I sit at my desk most of the day), so I'm not rushed and able to take as long as necessary.

Pumping enough BM usually isn't a problem. My pumping station is in the ladies room...it was either that or the hot as heck network room. I've found that reading, crocheting or simply napping ;) helps me pump more. It's when I pay attention to what's going on that I don't get enough.

After my holiday vacation, I found my supply a little low, so I started taking fenugreek. It came back almost immediately, and I'm actually getting more than I did before.

[heket]

Okay, I can read or nap while I pump, but crocheting would be a quite a feat with my double electric pump! :eek

But I agree that something that takes your mind off of it does help -- I usually read magazines. :book

I think I'm going to have to go back on Mother's Milk tea or something. I stopped because it's alittle expensive for us to continuously purchase it. But I think we'll just have to make that sacrifice.

[MamaSoleil]

I've only been back to work for two wks now, ds is 5 mts. The first week I was sneaking off to the FURNACE room :eek to pump. It worked, but with the nature of my job, I just can't. So, this week I've been pumping at my desk. I don't have an office, but a cuticle, and so far, no one's even noticed!!!!
I also pump at home when ds is nursing, and have a good supply in the freezer! No formula here either!!!
Just one question, seems like the first pump of the day at work is pure foremilk, or at least 3 oz of fore, one of hind...any one else?

Mamasoleil/samson:hippie

[tessamami]

To save time, I used to store my PIS pump parts fully assembled and not cleaned, in the fridge. Or, bring two sets. I found that it took too much time to clean the pump parts, and that I got more pumping time without.

And yes, I did pump at home. I didn't pump around the clock or anything, but sometimes I pumped: in the middle of the night, on weekends, after feedings if I felt I wanted to have more milk in storage. Sometimes I'd pump in the morning if DD wanted to sleep in.