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Pumping At Work Essentials

Written by James Kicinski-McCoy

There comes a time when maternity leave ends and office-bound moms need to head back to work. For those of you who are still nursing, we’ve got you covered with the gear needed to successfully pumping on the job. We’ve polled a few experienced moms on the matter and compiled a list of work-friendly must-haves to make the pumping process as smooth as possible. From milk storage bags and bottles to a hands-free bra, your busy schedule won’t be compromised by your need to feed!

Breast Pump: The pump itself might seem like a no-brainer, but with all of the different styles and variations on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. You’re going to want to make sure to get a double breast pump, so you can pump both sides simultaneously to save time. We like the Medela Deluxe Pump because it’s powerful, it offers a great digital experience that allows you to personalize your sessions, and it comes with plenty of accessories for on-the-go pumping.

Hands-Free Bra: Pumping can be tiresome work. That’s why it’s incredibly helpful to invest in a pumping bra that frees up your hands when utilizing your pump. Not only does this take a bit of the stress out of the process by making things run more smoothly, but also gives you more time to tackle everything else on your to-do list or just scroll through social media.

LATCH Bottles: When it comes to someone else feeding your pumped milk to your child at home, not all bottles are created equal. Munchkin LATCH bottles mimic a mother’s breast, so that baby receives more milk as she applies more pressure to the base of the bottle. Plus, LATCH bottles feature design characteristics that decrease your child’s ingestion of air with its accordion-style nipple and an anti-colic valve at the base.

Pump Brushes: Your breast pump will inevitably get dirty, so it’s important to keep all its pieces as clean as possible for the safety of both you and your child. The Munchkin LATCH Pump Brushes helps make this often times tedious process a bit easier. The 3-in-1 design offers a variety of brush sizes and shapes to help you reach even the smallest of areas.

Sterilized Storage Bags: Speaking of protecting both your milk and your baby, you also want to make sure that the tools you use when making milk and feeding are safe from germs and other potentially harmful elements. Munchkin LATCH Sterilize Bags are a huge help in this department. Throw bottles, pump accessories, and even pacifiers into the reusable bag with a bit of water and pop it all in the microwave at work. Your tools are quickly disinfected and protected from 99.9% of bacteria.

Breastmilk Storage Bags: It’s no secret that pumping requires work. So, it makes perfect sense that breastfeeding moms would want to keep their supply safe, sanitary, and properly preserved. Breastmilk storage bags are a great all-encompassing solution. They’re reinforced with double-sealed seams to keep your supply protected and prevent leaks. They also feature a pour spout design at the top, which makes transferring milk from bag to bottle a piece of cake.

Cooler Bag and Insert: If you aren’t able to store your expressed milk in the office refrigerator, having a cooler bag by your side is essential for getting your supply from one location to the next during long spans of time. You’ll need to keep your milk protected in an insulated case to maximize storage time and freshness.

Nipple Cream: The best defense when battling nipple discomfort, dryness, and cracking is a good lubricant. In order to keep you comfortable while nursing and pumping, we suggest investing in a balm or cream that is safe for both you and baby. We love the Shoosha Nipple Balm. It’s all organic and packed with loads of essential vitamins, cocoa butter, and amino acids to help condition and soothe sensitive skin. It’s also a food-grade product, so it’s safe for ingestion!

Water Bottle: Fact: Breastfeeding makes you thirsty! It’s incredibly important to stay hydrated while you’re making milk, after all, the more fluid you put in, the more fluid you’ll produce. To help you keep your hydration levels up, we recommend filling a large reusable bottle that will encourage you to drink more water!

Lactation Cookies & Tea: There are a wide variety of foods on the market that claim to increase breastmilk production—oats, spinach, and carrots, just to name a few! Milkmakers offers some of the very best lactation remedies in its cookies and teas, combining powerhouse, milk-producing ingredients like these (minus the fenugreek!) into easy-to-eat, delicious treats. Milkmakers are chalk full of natural galactagogues to help both mom and baby get the most out of breastfeeding and pumping.

Breast Pads: Leaks happen! The good news? A bit of leaking means that you’re on the right track and that everything is going according to plan. Breast pads are an excellent solution to this completely normal occurrence. LATCH Miracle Nursing Pads are thin, soft, and absorbent. They’re also adjustable, which ensures that you stay comfortable and dry.

A Good Book: Because a hands-free bra gives you the opportunity to do more while pumping, you may want to help pass the time with a good book. We recommend Work. Pump. Repeat.: The New Mom’s Survival Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work by Jessica Shortall as your first read. It gives the ins and outs of breastfeeding and pumping in a witty, informative, and often hilarious guide. Be sure to watch her TedTalk about the controversy surrounding paid maternity leave, too.

Milk It Kit: If you want to go the extra mile, the Milk It Kit is a fun, yet practical way to label your supply. The kit itself includes 32 waterproof labels, a pump bag tag, three stickers for your pump or cooler, and a door/desk sign for when you need a bit of pumping privacy. It’s a great addition for moms at both home and at work.

This post is brought to you by Mother x Munchkin

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