I want to continue breastfeeding after I return to work

[rose]

My son is eleven weeks old and I will be returning to work in a week, since birth he has only had breastmilk.  I want to continue to nurse after I return to work and I have been pumping some in order to have a supply in the freezer for him while I am away.  I am a nurse and although I only have to work 3 days a week, I work long hours (10-12 hours).  I work in surgery so I am concerned that I will not be able to pump on a regular basis.  I need some advice on how I can make this work!  thanks

[Leslie Myers]

Hi Rose,
I faced the exact same struggle as an LDRP nurse with laboring patients. I sometimes found it difficult to get away at the right times to pump. If you work at Self, there is a pumping room that may be convenient for you. What I did was try to fit my pumping around the schedule of my patients, and found some supportive co-workers that could cover me while I was gone. If you use the hospital grade pump (like in the pumping room), you will get your pumping down to taking just 5 mins more than likely. If necessary, its always best to pump a little early, than late (just for your own comfort). What I would do was feed my baby in the am (6a) before I went to work or I would go ahead and pump then if it wasn't time for baby to eat. Then, I would try to pump at around 9:30 or 10a (which would probably be in between a 7:30a case for you and the next one maybe). Then I would take the late lunch at 1 and pump right after eating. Then I would pump around 4:30p for the last time. Then when I got home, my baby was ready to eat again, or I would pump at home and get back on baby's schedule for the next feed. It's really important for you to feed baby at the breast whenever you are with them, to make sure your supply keeps up. And the other thing is to make sure and drink plenty while you are at work (that was really my biggest problem as a nurse, was being able to get enough to drink). If you have any other specific questions, Brandi the Lactation Consultant at Self can answer questions and even has a store at Self where you can buy supplies. If you have your own tubing (or she can sell you some), then all you have to take to Self is that and some storage containers. They have the hospital grade double electric pump there for you to use. Brandi can show you how to use it if you aren't familiar.  ---Leslie