How to Make Pumping at Work Easier (and Less Awkward)
Make pumping your breast milk on the job easier. (Photo: Corbis Images)
Fact: Pumping breast milk at work isn’t exactly fun — not only are your breasts on full display in the same place where you attend important meetings, pumps are loud. (No one believes that whirr-kssh! sound is your computer.)
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One-third of women return to work within three months after having a baby and two-thirds return within six months, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet most moms are encouraged to nurse for at least 12 months — that means there are lots of women pumping breast milk behind closed office doors.
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If your workplace has a private room for mothers to pump or you’re fortunate enough to have a private office, here are some tips to improve the experience.
Play classical music
All that whirring and humming is enough to make even the most confident woman feel self-conscious, especially if walls are thin. Turn on classical music (the most office-appropriate tunes) when it’s time to pump.
Disguise your pump
Nothing screams “I’m PUMPING!” like that little black bag. If you want to be discreet, stuff it in a leather duffel or oversized tote. You’ll feel much more comfortable with a cute bag swinging from your shoulder.
Keep supplies handy
Stash reusable shopping bags in your desk to transport used pump gear to the nearest sink. And consider storing extra containers (bottles, mason jars), in case you forget pump parts at home.
Wear pump-friendly outfits
Stripping down from the waist up at work doesn’t just feel weird — it’s not practical. According to La Leche League International, chilly temps can inhibit your milk ejection reflex, resulting in a less productive session. Wear button-down shirts, wrap dresses, or nursing tanks to stay more covered while you pump.
Make an appointment to pump
If you have the luxury of setting your own schedule, make time to pump by blocking off your office calendar. That way, no one tries to book a meeting at the wrong moment.
Think outside the milk bag
Use a stylish container to conceal milk in communal office refrigerators or buy insulated lunch bags with reusable ice packs.
Bond with other nursing moms
If you work with new mothers who are also pumping, it may be helpful to form a network for support.
Carry spare breast pads
To prevent the wet T-shirt look if you leak, keep breast pads in your purse or desk — and an extra shirt — just in case.
Take a mental break
While pumping, scroll through social media or gossip sites to take your mind off any anxiety.
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