Tips for Working Moms in Healthcare Who Are Pumping Breast Milk
Key takeaways:
Returning to work after having a new baby is challenging for any parent, especially when navigating how to pump breast milk in the workplace.
Pumping at work can keep up your breast milk supply while you’re away from the newborn for long stretches of time.
If you know your rights and are well prepared, the transition will be easier and you will successfully maintain your milk supply.
About half of all women in the U.S. are in the workforce, and about one-third of them are mothers. Many choose to provide pumped breast milk for their children once they go back to work. Here are some tips to make the back-to-work transition while pumping.
Understand your lactation rights
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, outlines the federal requirements for lactating women in the workforce. You are entitled to pump at work if your employer is covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The FLSA covers employers that have at least two employees and meet one of the following criteria:
Have annual sales of at least $500,000
Are a hospital, a business providing medical or nursing care for residents, a school or preschool, or a government agency
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Break time for nursing mothers is the law
If you’re covered under the FLSA, federal law entitles you to a reasonable break to pump breast milk, anytime that you must pump, for at least 1 year after your child’s birth. Your employer is also required to provide you a space that is not a bathroom, is shielded from view, and free from intrusion by others. Some states have even more detailed rules on pumping in the workplace. Check with your state government’s health website for more information.
Should you discuss pumping at work with your employer?
If you plan on pumping at work, it is a good idea to start the discussion early, before your baby is born. That way, your employer can prepare if there is not an existing pumping space available. Come prepared to educate your manager if they are not familiar with the laws on pumping, and to help them understand the impact this will have on your workday. Leave with a plan (in writing, if needed!) so you feel prepared to return to work and pump with ease.
What breastfeeding equipment do you need to bring to work?
Under the Affordable Care Act, your private insurance or Medicaid plan is obligated to cover the cost of a double electric breast pump. These plug-in pumps are the most efficient way to express milk compared with manual pumps. You can also purchase an electric pump out of pocket, or add one to your birth registry.
Most pumps have wires and tubing, but some are hands-free. The hands-free pumps are typically more expensive, but do offer greater flexibility. You can use your insurance coverage to upgrade and pay a portion yourself. If you’re using insurance, ask your OB-GYN or midwife for assistance in obtaining a prescription.
When choosing the right breast pump for you, consider how often you will use it and where you will use it. A lactation consultant can also help you choose. Be sure to ask around for advice as well.
Setting up your pumping area
A good setup makes pumping more enjoyable. Here are the essentials:
Water bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated while you are lactating, and having water ready to drink is a good idea.
Videos or photos of your baby: Engaging with your baby as best you can while away can help produce more milk.
Calming music or a pumping meditation: Focusing on your task and reducing stress will result in better flow and more milk.
Snacks: Lactating burns extra calories, so keep some snacks around to stay fueled.
Clean bottles or bags: Don’t forget that you have to store the milk.
Cooler bag with ice packs or fridge access: Milk needs to be kept cool so it doesn’t spoil.
Storage guidelines for milk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidance on storing breast milk and provides printable information cards to keep on your refrigerator. Fresh milk can be kept for up to 4 hours at room temperature, up to 4 days in the fridge, or up to 1 year in the freezer. Once thawed, previously frozen milk is good at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or in the refrigerator for a day. Never refreeze thawed milk.
How do I transition from at-home feeding to pumping at work?
Pumping is not as efficient at extracting milk as a baby. If you have been exclusively breastfeeding, pumping can sometimes result in a dip in supply. Nevertheless, there are many great resources online that show how to create a pumping schedule that works for you. Best practices suggest introducing pumping about 3 to 4 weeks before returning to work, so your milk supply can adjust slowly to the change.
Take a practice day, before you start, that mimics your workday. That way you’ll have a feel for how long everything takes, and how it will impact your work. You’ll also know about how much milk you will express and whether you will need to supplement your pumped milk with donor milk or formula.
The general rule of thumb is to nurse or pump at least every 3 hours for 15 to 30 minutes while away from your baby. If you are not making enough, you can always pump more often or for longer, depending on your needs.
Maximize your pumping session
Work gets busy, especially on a hospital floor, so make the most of your pumping session with these five tips:
1) Set up your space to get started.
2) Practice beforehand so you know what pump settings work best.
3) Take a breath and focus on what you’re doing.
4) Use breast compressions and massage to help move milk out.
5) Make sure your pump flanges are the right fit.
How to ask for help pumping at work
If you have any difficulty or pushback at work, talk to your employer’s human resources department first. If that doesn’t help, management may need some education on your right to pump, and the importance of providing breast milk to your baby. There are opportunities for additional help outside of your workplace, including these resources put together by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
If you are personally struggling with going back to work and are overwhelmed about how to start pumping, contact a lactation consultant. They can also address any supply issues you may have, help you come up with a pumping plan, and demonstrate pump use and fit.
The bottom line
The benefits of breast milk stretch beyond the first few months, and with the right tools, working parents can provide breast milk for as long as they wish. For parents who choose to provide breast milk for their babies, it is important to support the right to pump. A bit of planning, preparation, and communication are effective tools to promote pumping in the workplace, easing the transition back.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Proper storage and preparation of breast milk.
Huang, J., et al. (2021). For mothers in the workplace, a year (and counting) like no other. McKinsey & Company.
KellyMom. (2018). Resources: Working & pumping tips.
La Leche League International. (n.d.). Pumping milk.
La Leche League International. (n.d.). Working and breastfeeding.
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2021). Breastfeeding state laws. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Wage and Hour Division. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions - break time for nursing mothers. U.S. Department of Labor.
Wage and Hour Division. (2009). Fact sheet #14: Coverage under the fair labor standards act (FLSA). U.S. Department of Labor.
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee. (2016). Where should you go for help?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Women in the labor force: A databook. BLS Reports.
United States Lactation Consultant Association. (n.d.). USLCA’s find an IBCLC® directory.
