Pumping at Work: What to Pack
Going back to work as a new mom can be stressful. When you add the task of pumping breastmilk throughout the day it can seem almost impossible. If you plan to pump, having a checklist and knowing what to bring with you on your first day back can help relieve some of the stress that comes with the unknown. I use the medela system, but this checklist can apply to almost any pump.
Disclaimer: I have personally bought and tested these products with my own money, and I love to share quality finds. I have included links that show you where you can purchase these items, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s in my bag?
Breast pump and charger
One set of pump parts (flanges, valve, membranes)
Extra membranes - this might not apply but medela’s white circle membranes are tiny and easily lost
Bottles - I carry 6-8 of the 5oz. bottles. I bring 2 bottles for every pump session, but tailor to your milk supply. You can also substitute some of the extra bottles for storage bags to save on space and prepare the milk for the freezer.
Backup pump - This can be a manual or hands free pump. If you don’t have a hands free pump I would not recommend buying one just to have a backup unless you have disposable income. The haakaa is a great alternative and much more budget friendly. Whatever you have I suggest trying it out at home first so if you need to use it urgently at work due to your main pump breaking, you are already comfortable using it.
Pumping Bra - I have tried a few and these ones by Simple Wishes are my absolute favorite! They are very comfortable and the adjustable sizing band is perfect for postpartum period.
Dot Stickers - I love using these to label my bottles with the date and time. They don’t leave a residue most of the time and they stick on great. Take note if you need to label your name, you’ll want bigger labels. Find them here: Avery Coding Labels
Sharpie Pen - a regular pen will work too
Dish Soap - travel sized to save space
Hand Sanitizer - travel sized to save space
Paper Towels - your work probably has these but good to bring a few on first day until you know where everything is and what they provide
Nursing pads
Small Cooler - Using the smallest cooler possible for my bottles is the easiest way to transport them and not take up too much space in the company fridge. I also imagine it keeps the milk colder, longer. I really like this one from Skip Hop
Ice Packs - I recommend bringing at least 2. The ice packs that come with the Skip Hop Insulated Bags are great - they are compact and stay frozen for hours. I also grabbed some of these Fit Fresh Coolers ice packs that are super thin and flexible which work wonderful for the small bags. I recommend keeping them in the freezer at work though until you are ready to leave to optimize the coldness.
How I Clean Parts at Work:
Cleaning parts at work is usually different than home. At home, I keep a plastic basin exclusively for baby stuff by the kitchen sink that I fill with soapy water, scrub all the parts, and then rinse. At work, it’s not feasible to carry around a basin. Instead I lay down clean paper towels on a clean counter, rinse the parts with soap and water and place them on the paper towels. I make sure nothing touches the sink. Then I dry the parts one by one with another clean paper towel and put directly into my designated work pumping bag. I don’t bring a scrub brush, but I do wash them immediately after pumping and ensure they get a very soapy lather with hot water and scrub them good before each 24 hour sanitization. Do the best you can with what you got. And sterilize your parts once a day (I have 4-5 sets of parts that were given to me second hand so I only have to sanitize once weekly). You may also need to bring Clorox wipes to wipe down the counter space if it’s not cleaned regularly by environmental services (depending on your place of work).
After Work Routine:
Every night when I get home the first thing I do is put the milk from that day directly in the fridge, and put the ice packs back in the freezer. I once fell asleep with the milk sitting in the cooler on the kitchen table and I won’t make that mistake again (Luckily the milk was still okay!).
I then swap out all the used bottles and parts from that day and fill my designated work pump bag with clean, sanitized ones. This saves me time in the morning and everything I need is ready to go. I am gone 12 hours a day so I try to wait and save up the used bottles to sanitize them all at once on my day off. Find a routine that works for you!
Last but not least, know your rights! Most states have laws that protect pumping mothers at work. Your job to provide food for your baby should be treated by your employer to be just as important as your regular job. This is easier said than done but don’t be afraid to stand up for you and your baby.
P.S. - I learned the hard way that breast milk stains clothes. Luckily I wear scrubs so it wasn’t a big deal, but if you wear business or business casual wear you should think about keeping a change of clothes in your car or bag.
You may not need every item on this list, but it offers a starting point. Do you pump at work? What are your favorite items to get you through the day? Share below!
