OT Tips & Tricks for the “What ifs” & Potential Barriers to Pumping in the Workplace
Here we are at the final post of our 3-part Return-To-Work Series! We’ve shown you important areas to consider and prep for, as well as some of our favorite free RTW toolkits available online.
Today, our post highlights real-life scenarios and the creative ways to tackle some of the most common barriers pumping mamas report running into during their transition. As an OT, this is one of the strengths of my skillset— looking at an issue or problem and finding ways to adapt, modify, or improve them based on your goals!
Disclaimer: All products included in this blog post were found through simple searches on the internet. I do not get any kick-back from those links provided-just helpful suggestions :)
“My maternity leave is just too short! How will I manage returning to work so soon after I had a baby?!”
Planning ahead: although simple, this can be a huge way to combat getting overstressed
Ask for help (from family/friends/co-workers who have gone through pumping at work)
Alternative arrangements to your previous work schedule
→Can you start working virtually (rather than on-site)?
→Find out if you can have a flexible schedule in the beginning
→Ask your employer if it’s possible to work part-time
Return to work on a Thursday or Friday so that you can “dip your toe in the water”- see what your schedule will look like as a return-to-work lactating mom, but have a weekend close by the reset and digest the transition!
“I don’t feel comfortable approaching my employer about taking breaks to pump. How should I go about this?”
Come armed with knowledge - you have laws on your side! Knowing what you’re entitled to might make it easier to approach your supervisor/ employer (see Part 1 in our blog series)
Take a look at some of the handouts/templates in an online toolkit about how to approach your employer (See our comparison charts that show which Toolkits have these handouts!)
Try electronic communication first, and work you way up to in-person. Email him/her prior to returning to work about your concerns.
“Help! My job doesn’t allow me to take scheduled/enough breaks. What should I do?”
For the most part, by law, you are entitled to breaks*. If your place of work falls under one of the loophole scenarios in which your employer does not legally need to provide these accommodations, try talking to your employer about possible solutions:
→ Working a longer shift so you can take the breaks you need
→ Offer to leave a half hour later/ come half an hour earlier to accommodate pumping
→ Completing work related tasks while pumping (documentation, email, phone calls)
Are you a medical or healthcare professional (doctors/nurses/ etc.) and constantly on-call for emergencies?
→ Try out a hands-free pump (i.e. Willow or Elvie - you can pump on the go (and no one will know, especially if you’re wearing a lab coat!) Beware! Oftentimes these pumps may have additional “upgrade costs” or are not covered at all by insurance
*Some places of work have caveats of “Unless the breaks cause undue burden on the employer” if the business has only X amount of employees
“I feel stressed trying to make time to pump and also take care of my personal needs. What should I do? “
Meal prep for the occasion
→Prepare and pack food that can be eaten while pumping
→Have an extra bottle of water in your pump bag to be sure to hydrate
→Use a weekend day to prep specific meals for the week
Set everything up in advance to save time (i.e. have your flanges/valves/etc. attached to bottles)
“I get so engrossed in what I’m doing that I’m scared I’ll forget to pump. What should I do?”
Set reminders for yourself! It’s easy to forget. Just set a recurring phone alarm at the times you would usually pump
Pumping apps: there are plenty of free and low-cost apps available like Pumping Work
“My workplace doesn’t have a lactation room. Where should I pump?”
***DO NOT USE THE BATHROOM***
Find a room that is not used often
→Are there any offices/rooms that are available at any hours during the day?
Close off an area with a curtain or room divider.
→Is there a non-conventional space in a low traffic area in your workplace? (i.e. unused corner, alcove near windows or other dead space etc.) Could you hang up a curtain? Velcro or a hook can be used to keep the sides of the curtain in place.
Set up a tent (pop up tent)
Try your car if you are comfortable with it. Make sure to have a car adapter if you pump requires you to be plugged into an electric source
“My lactation room doesn’t have a lock. What should I do?”
Hang up a door hanger “Do not disturb”
Here are just a few links to some cute signs available for purchase (there are plenty of more options to search from)
Teachers pay teachers Nursing Mothers Pumping Door Sign (free download)
Amazon
Clever Signs Do Not Disturb (2 pack - $9.99)
Disturb Hanger Clinic Office (2 pack - $9.99)
Pumping Progress Hanger ($7.99)
“My pump is so noisy and loud. I feel like everyone can hear me. What should I do?”
Use a sound machine - there are apps available or you (or your employer) can purchase one
Try to avoid pumping at the same time as a meeting is starting/ending and everyone is walking by
“Oh no! I forgot my [insert pump part here] at home. How will I pump without it!?”
Having an extra set of pumping parts that you keep at work or in your car
Create a list of nearby stores that carry your brand pump parts in case of an emergency
Improvise! Learn how to hand express for emergencies or you can keep a manual hand pump in your bag if that’s more comfortable! (YouTube search “Hand expression How-Tos”)
Keep a packing list by your pump bag to ensure you won't forget any parts when packing (preferably the day/night before your shift)
“I'm working remotely. Any tips for me?”
Turn camera off during meeting but still participate/listen
→Try a practice run zoom meeting with a co-worker or friend so they can give you feedback to ease your mind
Use earpods or headphones! Some mamas say that it doesn’t pick up background noise as much as the regular computer speaker
“My co-workers are not understanding about me taking breaks for pumping. How can I deal with this?”
Check out the handouts with scripts on how to speak to co-workers about breastfeeding (see previous blog for toolkits with accompanying handouts)
Discuss if there is any way to make it work (compromise)
→ Ask them, “Is there anything I can take off your plate while I’m taking a pump break?”
Educate coworkers on the benefits of breastfeeding that extend to them!
→ Successful transition of pumping at work and continuing breastfeeding is associated with less absenteeism! Therefore, having a little extra coverage on your pump breaks is arguably more manageable than you calling out and your co-workers picking up ALL of your work
Even though it’s hard to plan for EVERY possible scenario that may pop up, above are just some helpful and creative solutions to the most common pitfalls and barriers. Are you a pumping mama and have a situation that you can’t seem to find a quick fix for? Reach out and maybe we can problem-solve together!
This concludes our 3-part Return-To-Work Pumping Blog Series for now! Wishing you a smooth transition back to work, mamas!
Stay tuned for future blog posts :)
Have a request for a specific blog topic??? Follow along on IG @NurturingLIFT_OT and message me there, or contact me below!
~~Closet Pumping in Style~~
**Special thanks and acknowledgements to my clinical fieldwork students ( including Miriam Brodt, OTS and Zahava Kunstler OTS) from Touro College School of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program (Manhattan Campus) for their help creating this blog series**
