Going back to work after maternity leave? Get ready for a set of new challenges that are coming your way. One of the biggest challenges for new moms is breast pumping at work. You are always running, finding secluded spots, looking for privacy, and suddenly you are late for your meeting!
You don’t want this to happen, right?
Don’t worry, there’s a perfect solution for you. Wearable breast pumps resolve this long-standing problem of breast pumping at work for good.
Why Pumping at Work Can Feel So Overwhelming
Breast pumping at work is often very overwhelming for moms, especially in today’s modern, fast-paced work environments. It often feels like you have no control over anything. But things can get under control with the right tool and definitely some preparation, practice, and some strategies. Now, you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort or professionalism to pump with confidence.
How Modern Workplaces Accommodate Breastfeeding Moms?
You might think modern workplaces would be adapted to support new moms, especially considering the large number of women working today. Sadly, that’s not the case. Although some workplaces have separate lactating rooms, most do not even provide a separate space for breast pumping. This leaves new moms on their own to find a secluded space for maximum privacy.
Even if your office does provide a lactating space, you still have to juggle your work schedule, meetings, and conferences along with multiple breast pumping sessions. Some common challenges breastfeeding moms face include:
- Lack of privacy
- Anxiety or embarrassment
- Carrying heavy pump devices
- Difficulty in managing work and pumping sessions
These challenges often make work harder for new moms. They already have so much going on, and then comes this added stress. These challenges are real for most working moms, but so are the solutions.
5 Tips to Pump at Work Confidently
New moms already have a lot on their plates, from constant diaper changes, crying, feeding, and, for working moms, this load only gets heavier. To make your life a bit easier, here are some of the tips that’ll surely help you pump at work more confidently.
- Know Your Rights
If you don’t know your rights, you can’t advocate for your needs. Most countries have laws that mandate offices to provide a separate lactating space along with a reasonable break to accommodate breastfeeding moms. Learn the laws and policies of your workplace, so you can ask for what is your right.
- Create a Proper Schedule
Block a few sessions (as per your requirement) in your daily work schedule for pumping and schedule your meetings around them. Treat these time blocks like meetings and stay compliant. Do not opt for any other work during those sessions. Make sure to communicate your availability to your team and supervisor beforehand to avoid conflict.
- Pack Everything You Need
Make sure you have everything you need in your backpack. Take extra labeled bottles, wipes, breast pads, and a portable cooler in case your office doesn’t have a fridge or if you don’t want your breast milk to be on display for everyone.
- Dress Accordingly
Choose nursing-friendly clothing to make breast pumping at work easier. Fortunately, there are many varieties of nursing-friendly tops and bras that are designed for hands-free access, making pumping easy and discreet. Go for button-down shirts and stretchy fabrics. Layer your dress for maximum privacy and use nursing bras for easy access.
- Stay Confident
Communicating your needs to a coworker or supervisor can be overwhelming, and you might get nervous. But remember, your confidence is everything; you are taking care of your baby and that’s nothing to be shy about. Give a quick and confident explanation to set boundaries and expectations. It will help you stay on track with your pumping goals without any clash of work, while maintaining professionalism.
Why Are Wearable Breast Pumps the Best Choice?
Although the tips above are necessary, the real game-changer for modern working moms is the wearable breast pump. It takes all the hassle out of breast pumping at work, offering a discreet solution with comfort and freedom of mobility.
Here’s why wearable breast pumps are better:
- Unlike traditional breast pumps that require you to stay attached to a heavy device with cords and wires, the best hands free breast pump has no cords and can easily fit in a regular nursing bra.
- The compact design and quiet motor of wearable breast pumps make them completely discreet, perfect for office and shared spaces.
- They don’t have many parts that require assembly, saving you time and energy. This also makes cleaning easy and hassle-free.
- These modern wearable breast pumps often come with spill-proof containers or bags, making storage easier without needing extra bottles.
- You can use these wearable breast pumps discreetly even at your work desk without needing to go to a separate room, boosting your confidence and productivity.
How to Choose The Best Hands Free Breast Pump for Work?
When it comes to choosing the best hands free breast pump, there are a few considerations you must check. Your main priority should be comfort, privacy, and portability. However, understanding key wearable breast pump features can help you choose the best wearable pump for moms:
- Look for a quiet or barely audible machine to ensure privacy during Zoom calls, meetings, or conferences.
- Make sure it has a long battery life that’ll last multiple sessions per recharge.
- Choose a wearable breast pump with adjustable suction to mimic your baby’s rhythm or reduce discomfort.
- Opt for a small, lightweight, discreet breast pump that’ll fit snugly in your nursing bra without feeling heavy or bulky.
- Go with the one with the fewest parts to make assembly and cleaning hassle-free during work hours.
Vava Breast pump is the best choice that checks all the boxes. It is compact, portable, quite, and has an impressive battery life. It's a smart and convenient choice for the best hands free breast pump for working moms.
Final Thoughts
If you are a new mom, breastfeeding shouldn’t be stressful, awkward, or invasive. Wearable breast pumps are the perfect solution for your and your baby’s needs.
Check out vava breast pump today, if you are looking for a reliable, discreet, and comfortable solution for breast pumping at work!
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