EXTREMELY overwhelmed about pumping at work. HELP!

[ZoeysMommy]

I am getting induced Wednesday, on my due date, and I have 2 months off work so I really shouldn't be freaking out about this as much as I am.. but for whatever reason I AM.

I work at a lingerie store, part-time, and I want to breastfeed my daughter even when I go back to work. I know I will have to start pumping, and the thing I'm worried about is finding the time to pump while I'm at work. A lot of times I am the only one in the store, so I won't be able to get away to pump when I need to. I don't want to risk messing up my milk supply by missing feedings, and I also want to avoid embarrassing leaking situations. Has any other mom had this problem, and did you make it work? I'm really nervous that I'm going to have to stop breastfeeding when my maternity leave is up, all because I don't have time to stop what I'm doing to pump.
ALSO.
I'm afraid I'll never be able to go anywhere or do anything because I'm constantly going to be worried about if I'm going to have to nurse Zoey in a public restroom stall or something. A lot of places now a days offer breast feeding rooms, but what about the ones that don't. How did all you new moms cope?

I'm only 19, and I'm really nervous about feeding in public. It's something I'm sure I'll get over, but right now I just need someone to help me through it.

[whitnessforhim]

First welcome to the boards! Take a few deep breaths momma and remind yourself that everything is going to be ok. Lets take this one step at a time. Being a mom in and of its self can be overwhelming. Give yourself the permission to not worry about the far future right now. The one thing we need to focus on is getting this baby here and getting nursing off to a great start. Two months off is a good amount of time to establish your milk supply. My best advice is to relax with your baby and nurse, nurse, nurse. Sleep when your baby sleeps and nurse on demand. The demand to nurse may be overwhelming at first but it does get better and you won't regret sticking it out.

Let me say that I have been nursing for 18mo. now and I have only nursed in public twice. It was just something I never really got over and it was more about me and not about what other people thought. Plus my child was a very distracted eater and I didn't want the whole world seeing my nipple when she would pull off to look around. However, remember there are MANY, MANY moms here who NIP (nurse in public). It is a natural thing and most people don't even know you are nursing when you are. Don't worry about this momma! This is not going to be something that is going to tie you home. It never got in my way. I typically just nursed my baby in the car before going into the store or where ever and then if I had to I found a really quiet place away from everyone to nurse her. You'll figure out what you are comfortable with when the time comes.

About pumping - you can definitely do this and continue BF and still work. Since you work part time you may only need to pump once depending on how long you work in a day or if you schedule it right you may not even need to pump at work at all. You could pump in your car on your way to work or just before work and then pump in your car immediately after you get off. Also, there are laws in each state that gives the mom a right to be able to pump at work and this is something to look into IF need be...HOWEVER, as I said let's not worry about this just yet.

Please feel free to come here anytime to ask any question you may have.

Congrats on the baby and I hope your delivery goes smoothly!

[nacha]

I agree... no need to panic. Your milk supply fine. I have NIP in churches to restuarants and no one seems to care. If you think of it, WalMart.com or Babydepot, offer cheap nursing ponchos. For the first couple months this site has been extermely helpful to me and continues to be. Congratulations on your choice to give your baby the very best and we are here for you. I wish you a happy labor.

[cindylar]

hi--

i think everyone feels a little bit like this right before the baby comes. take a deep breath and just decide to take each day as it comes. (easier said than done, i know.)

i'm 8 months into nursing my second child and pumping as i type this. i've nursed in all sorts of places in public - you figure it out, which shirts work best (longer t-shirts) for covering things that you don't want everyone to see - which way to hold her so she can eat and not be distracted, the best way to pump and so on.

by the time you go back to work your milk supply should be established and regulated - meaning you'll be less likely to leak and with shorter shifts you might be able to get away with not pumping at work and doing it right when you get home. there are great nursing pads at target, etc. to help with the leaking.

everything will be fine - take a deep breath and enjoy your last couple days of peace!

cindy

[Maret00]

I was like you freaking out about nursing but 19mo and counting.

I pumped and worked it doesnt take long and get yourself some good breast pads I like the ones from Jonhson and Johnson I got them at Target 100 for 10$ I think. There are ways to work around long periods of not nursing, pump before your leave and when you get home, pump on your break, having baby nurse more at night when your home and less when your gone.

Also I would get in touch with your local La Leche league at LLLI.org they can give you in person advice and you will see moms nurse in public and how they do it and if you think you can do it to. They will give you all kinds of support to. You can also look up your local Breastfeeding coalition just google it and they may have laws on the webpage that you can learn from.

I am a big public nurser and think everyone should do it but I must admit that I wanted someone to say something to me so I could tell them to go eat in the bathroom. It has never happened I have got a few stares but more good job for you then anything else.

Remeber breastmilk is best and you will be able to do it follow your childs lead and to nurse on demand.