|
|
Establishing a breastfeeding relationship with your infant can often be more challenging and time consuming than you imagined. When Baby Z was born, I had visions of blissful breastfeeding in the glider in her nursery before she slept peacefully in her crib. You can stop laughing now.
Even with loads of support from her pediatrician and local lactation consultants to help with any issues I had establishing breastfeeding, it took more like months than weeks to really feel like baby and I were in the breastfeeding groove. And then, it was time for me to return to work. I had so many questions about if and how our breastfeeding relationship would change, how I would balance pumping with my regular work duties, and all of the details that come with planning to pump at work. It seems that just when we got things on the right track, everything was about to change again.
As it turns out, while you will never hear me say that pumping at work was "fun" or "enjoyable", it was easier than I had made it out to be in head once I knew the right questions to ask and how to set up a routine that worked for me. Here are a few tips to help you get off on the right foot if you are planning to return to work and pump after baby.
1. Find a pump you love and test it out.
Most health insurance companies are now required to provide a breast pump to new mothers, however, the type and quality of those pumps varies. Check with your health insurance company first to see what they provide and try that out. You will have the most success with a hospital grade pump (but these can often be pricey) and a double pump will save you time so you may want to shop around for a pump if the one provided isn't working well for you.
Try it out. Don't be upset if you are only pumping small amounts to start with. It takes time and trial and error to develop a good pumping system that gets you the best output. Many pumps either come with a variety of breast shield sizes or have them available for purchase. Use their recommendations to find the ones that have the best fit and comfort for you. I even had to adjust which size I was using after a few months when my daughter's breastfeeding needs started to slow down and. Adjust the speed and strength of the pump until you find your ideal. Do all of these things before you return to work so that you are ready to be successful from day one.
2. Have an open conversation with your employer.
Most employers are covered by state and federal laws requiring a reasonable amount of break time and space to express milk as frequently as needed by the nursing mother. Find out what the laws are in your state and whether or not you will be paid for this time (which is not a requirement of the law).
Where will you pump? Having a location where you feel safe and comfortable pumping will make the process much easier. If you have your own office you may be able to pump there with a sign on your door. However, for the many ladies for which that isn't an option, you'll need to determine a location that works for you and your employer. Can you borrow an empty office or room during that time? Is there a designated lactation location in your office? The federal statute requiring most employers to allow time and space for pumping specifically states that the location cannot be a bathroom, so we ready to discuss that with your employer if needed. Think about what you will need in that space to be successful at pumping. This often includes an electrical outlet for your pump, a (hopefully comfortable!) chair for you to sit in, a table for your pump and supplies, and nearby access to a sink to clean your pumping parts afterwards.
When will you pump? As a rule of thumb, you will need to pump as often as your baby nurses. When I first returned that was every 2-3 hours, but baby continually stretched that out as she got older and I was able to adjust and drop pumping sessions accordingly. This meant scheduling a mid-morning and afternoon session into my daily work plan, and pumping during my lunch as well. Discuss this with your employer so you can plan ahead for these sessions, especially if someone else will need to cover your duties during this time. Pumping both breasts at the same time is more time efficient and you can plan around 30 minutes for the pumping process each session.
Where will you store your breast milk? The ideal location for storing your breast milk is in a refrigerator, but if that isn't possible, you can also use pre-frozen ice packs to keep it cold for a period of time. You can store the milk itself in sterile plastic bags, or plastic or glass bottles, all which can easily be purchased. I stored it in our office refrigerator, in a discreet bag, but almost cried on day when someone had taken my bag out (presumably to make room or rearrange things) and not put it back. Since I didn't know how long it had been out, I didn't feel comfortable saving it. Luckily that was only a one-time event, and I learned to think about where I put the bag after that.
3. Develop a pumping routine that is comfortable for you.
You will pump more milk when you feel relaxed and comfortable in your pumping situation. Not always easy to do at work right? Many women find that their output increases when they focus on their baby by looking at pictures or videos of them. In my case, answering emails and getting other computer tasks done while I was pumping helped me because I wasn't focused on pumping itself and how much I was producing.
In my case, to be able to work on my computer while I pumped I needed my hands free. Having the right nursing bra and tank top under my shirts made that easy and simple. I also occasionally pumped on my way to or home from work in my car depending on my schedule. I needed the right pumping accessories to make that work, like a car adapter for my pump and my nursing cover that I used over myself while driving. Determine what accessories will make your pumping routine simpler and less stressful for you and your pumping sessions will be more successful.
If you’re struggling with pumping, contact resources that can help you with advice and tips. Many lactation consultants can sit with you while you pump and help you establish whether your fit and routine are the best for you. Start by contacting your health care provider for resources or contact your local La Leche League.
Regardless of how much planning ahead you do, returning to work and pumping will take some time to adjust to. Establish a network of friends, coworkers, and family who can help support you during this time to help ease the transition and don’t forget to be proud of the great start your are giving your baby by continuing to provide them with breast milk during this time!
Congratulations! Please email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize!
As ALWAYS, FREE shipping on ALL Planet Wise products in the US!
$35.00 SALE $32.00
It's very common for mothers-to-be to outgrow their pre-pregnancy bras during pregnancy before baby is born. Many women often want to purchase nursing bras at this time, but it's hard to determine what their size will be once baby is born. After birth, women's band size (around their rib cage) often goes down as baby drops out, and their cup size often goes up as their milk comes in. Generally, 4-6 weeks after baby is born is when a mother's bra size regulates.
The Bravado Original Nursing Bra is the answer to the problem of bra sizing! This stretchy, yet supportive bra allows for variation in the band and cup size. It's certainly a bra that will last you from your third trimester, into your first several weeks after birth, all the way through the entire time you decide to nurse!
This bra is supportive enough for daily wear, but comfortable enough even to sleep in! It's available in 6 colors and a wide range of sizes.
After my first son was born weighing in at 9 pounds 11 ounces, I was lucky enough to lose most of the weight that I carried throughout my pregnancy in the first several months, much of it thanks to breastfeeding! I was comfortable enough less than 6 weeks later to get into pre-pregnancy dress pants and tops for the Christmas holidays.
When my second son arrived 19 months later, my body was not snapping back like it had before. I was watching what I ate (especially so, as my son had some allergies) but for the first 6 weeks, exercise was out of the question (not to mention next to impossible to find time for with 2 under 2!) How was I to be expected to enjoy the summer outdoors with my boys when I wasn't even comfortable in my own skin?
Enter... the Mother Tucker! Not long after I started working at Nicki's Diapers did I discover this wonderful product. It's a compression tank top that smooths over the dreaded Mommy Muffin Top. It's comfortable and not overly heavy. I found it to be completely discrete under clothing, but I also chose to wear it occasionally on it's own! It gave me the confidence and motivation to get back into my pre-pregnancy wardrobe and allowed me to enjoy my time with my boys, rather than worrying about what I looked like. Belly Bandit, maker of the Mother Tucker, has since gone a step beyond and above! They recently released the Mother Tucker Nursing Tank! It has all the features of the original Mother Tucker but with convenient slide-over cups for discrete nursing. With my THIRD boy due this fall, you can bet that I will be making sure the Nursing Mother Tucker is part of my after-baby wardrobe! Belly Bandits and Mother Tuckers are a favorite of celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Halle Berry, Christina Applegate, and Jennifer Garnder. We all may not have access to 24/7 chefs and personal trainers, but this is one tool that we can all have to help us get our stylish mommy figures back!
Belly Bandit was so generous to sponsor a giveway to give one of our lucky blog followers a Mother Tucker Nursing Tank of their own!
You can do each one of the entries however you must post back here to our blog and tell us WHAT you did. Be sure you follow the Nicki’s Diapers blog - publicly for your chance to win! We will post our winner on Friday, September 9th! How do you enter to win? (Each worth 1 entry per day unless otherwise stated) - REQUIRED! Like Belly Bandit on Facebook!
- Follow the Nicki's Diapers Blog Publicy
- Blog about our giveaway and link back to our site. When you post back here you must link to the URL where you blogged. (2 entries)
- Follow Nicki’s Diapers @nickisdiapers on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway. Leave the URL where you Tweeted.
- Tweet @nickisdiapers #clothdiapers (1 entry for each unique tweet)
- Tweet @planetwise #clothdiapers #wetbags (1 entry for each unique tweet)
- Like Nicki’s Diapers, Planet Wise, and Best Bottom Diapers on Facebook - Be sure to state your facebook name when you post back here.
- Suggest the following facebook pages to your friends: Nicki’s Diapers , Best Bottom Diapers , Planet Wise and Belly Bandit. You must post back here telling us which friend accepted your page suggestion. (1 entry per page for each person you suggest that LIKES the page!)
- Grab our button and place them on your blog. Post a link to the blog here. (2 entries per blog - per button)
- Start or comment on a discussion on the Nicki's Diapers facebook page discussion board.
- Blog about your choice to cloth diaper and include a link to www.nickisdiapers.com (2 entries)
- Tag @nicki's diapers or @best bottom diapers, or @belly bandit in a facebook post.
- Have a friend subscribe to our blog. Post their username in your comment. You can do this as many times as you can get friends to subscribe!
- Talk about Nicki's Diapers on any forum and include a link to www.nickisdiapers.com.
- Sign up for the Nicki's Diapers newsletter (enter your email address on the top right of our homepage).
- Start a thread about this giveaway on any baby or cloth diapering related forum and include a link to your thread. (2 entries)
- Place an order at nickisdiapers.com, myswimbaby.com or clothdiaperclearance.com between 8/16/11and 9/8/11. Include your order number in your entry.
- Tell us what your secret was to getting into shape post-baby!
Join Nicki's Diapers on Saturday, August 6th at 10:30am for the The Big Latch On! Help the La Leche League celebrate World Breastfeeding Week by gathering locally to try to break the record for most nursing mothers breastfeeding simultaneously!
Where: Nicki's Diapers Retail Store 739 N. High Point Road, Madison, WI When: Saturday, August 6th, 10:30am (please arrive 10-15 minutes early) RSVP: Preferred- please email madison@nickisdiapers.com Who: All breastfeeding mothers with their nursing babies/children!
Congratulations to SAPsMaMa! You are the winner of a Baby Blue Milk Band! Please email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize!
The Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet will help you quickly and easily remember which breast you last used to feed your baby. One side says RIGHT and the other says LEFT so you simply turn the bracelet inside out each time you nurse! You can wear the Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet on either wrist and it only takes one hand to flip it! The Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet also has a time measuring slider that can be used to track what time you fed your baby, how long your baby nursed, or how many times a day your baby nurses. It can even be used to keep track of the number of baby's soiled diapers in a day! The Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet is made of a soft, flexible and breathable silicone - the same materials used in baby bottle nipples. You can even sterilize your bracelet if you wish by placing it in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, however this may cause the color to fade slightly. The Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet is made in the style of all those other popular silicone bracelets everyone is wearing but it is stronger. The Milk Bands Nursing Bracelet measures 7 1/2" around by 9/16" wide and is 40% thicker than most other silicone bracelets. There are 10 different colors available to match all your different outfits!
To enter to win a Baby Blue Milk Band, leave a comment on our blog with a link to each entry . You may only do each entry option once per weekly giveaway (saying "commenting for the giveaway does not count as an entry). Winner will be posted 8/19. Winner must email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize.
- Become a subscriber of the Nicki's Diapers Blog if if you already are, comment on any blog post other than the weekly giveaway.
- "Like" Nicki's Diapers on Facebook of if you already do, post a comment on the page
- Post a comment on your Facebook page and include a link to the Nicki's Diapers Website.
- Follow Nicki's Diapers on Twitter or if you already do, Tweet about Nicki's Diapers.
- Post a fan picture on the Nicki's Diapers Facebook Page
- Blog about Nicki's Diapers including a link to the Nicki's Diapers website.
- Talk about Nicki's Diapers on a Forum and include a link to any page on the Nicki's Diapers website (counts as double entry, please comment twice for this entry!)
- Grab one of our buttons and put it on your blog, if it already is, let us know!
- Tag Nicki's Diapers in a Facebook update
- Tell us your go-to indoor activity for children
- Place an order at nickisdiapers.com or shop at the Nicki's Diapers Retail store between 8/12 and 8/18. Include your order number in your entry.
In Honor of World Breastfeeding Week
Congratulations to Amy Walker! You've won a Medela Breastmilk Feeding and Storage Set 3-pack!
Please email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize!
Medela Breastmilk Bottles are designed for long-term and safe breastmilk storage. These 5 oz. bottles have colorful, easy to read marks for both ounces and milliliters. They have a 2-piece lid for safe storage in the refrigerator or the freezeer. The cap will keep the nipple clean and also can be used as a cup for feeding the baby. This safe plastic bottle has been designed to retain breastmilk's beneficial properties. Dishwasher and microwave safe. 
Medela Breastmilk Bottles are BPA/DEHP Free and aways have been! ***Please read carefully, we've changed some options and added more ways to enter!*** To enter to win a Medela Breastmilk Feeding and Storage Set 3-pack, leave a comment on our blog with a link to each entry (examples: your blog post, your comment on our FB page, etc.). You may only do each entry option once per weekly giveaway. Winner will be posted 6/17. Winner must email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize. 1. Become a subscriber of Nicki's Diapers Blog or if you already are, comment on any blog post (saying something along the lines of "commenting for the giveaway" does not quality as a comment).
2. Become a Fan of Nicki's Diapers Facebook page or if you already are, post a comment on the page (saying something along the lines of "commenting for the giveaway" does not quality as a comment).
3. Post a comment on your Facebook page and include a link to the Nicki's Diapers Website
4. Follow nickisdiapers on Twitter
5. Post a fan picture on the Nicki's Diapers facebook page
6. Blog about Nicki's Diapers including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
7. Talk about Nicki's Diapers on a Forum including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
8. Grab one of our buttons and put it on your blog.
9. Tell us your LEAST favorite thing about summer.
10. Place an order at nickisdiapers.com between now and June 16th. Include your order number and date placed when commenting for your entry.
Medela Breastmilk Bottles are designed for long-term and safe breastmilk storage. These 5 oz. bottles have colorful, easy to read marks for both ounces and milliliters. They have a 2-piece lid for safe storage in the refrigerator or the freezeer. The cap will keep the nipple clean and also can be used as a cup for feeding the baby. This safe plastic bottle has been designed to retain breastmilk's beneficial properties. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Medela Breastmilk Bottles are BPA/DEHP Free and aways have been! To enter to win your free Medela Breastmil Feeding & Storage Bottles (Set of 3) , you will receive ONE entry for EACH option below (you MUST leave a comment for each option saying what you did and where). This means you can get multiple entries increasing your chance to WIN! (each "Weekly Giveaway" may be different): 1. Become a subscriber of Nicki's Diapers Blog or if you already are post it
2. Tell us what your favorite Nicki's product is
3. Post a comment on Facebook about Nicki's Diapers including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
4. Follow nickisdiapers on Twitter
5. Tweet about Nicki's Diapers including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
6. Blog about Nicki's Diapers including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
7. Talk about Nicki's Diapers on a Forum including a link to any page on Nicki's Diapers
Congratulations to Sarah (author of the blog, Loving My Life)! You are the winner of this week's giveaway! You've won a Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tank or Glamourmom Nursing Bra Top, courtesy of Glamourmom, in your choice of size and color!
 Please email annie@nickisdiapers.com within one week to claim your prize!
When buying a baby shower gift or present for a new mom, do you have a go-to gift? For me, that gift is a nursing tank. I believe that every nursing mom needs a few nursing tanks in their wardrobe! Glamourmom was generous to provide me with a Nursing Bra Top for the purpose of this review.
Nursing Bra Tops and Tanks made by Glamourmom are the essential piece of nursing gear for so many reasons. They provide great support and are comfortable enough to be worn without a bra! I often times recommended that our pregnant customers who come in looking for a nursing bra, opt for a nursing tank or top instead. This allows for fluctuations in cup and rib cage size without having to buy a new bra every few weeks! The same size nursing top can be worn throughout pregnancy (especially a Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Top!), into the first few weeks that your supply is stabilizing when your cup size may be larger, and then throughout the remainder of your nursing time when you're at a more consistent size.
Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tops and Tanks are wonderful for new moms to take in their hospital delivery bag. Many hospitals don't allow patients to wear bras with metal hooks. A Nursing Bra Tank or Top would allow you to be up and moving around in comfort, but still allow you to nurse your newborn just after birth! Their also great for complete tummy coverage when you may be entertaining guests to your hospital but still want to be able to nurse your baby on demand.
Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Tops and Tanks are wonderful to have just after you baby is born and you're still wearing maternity jeans. They are long enough to hide the maternity panel and offer great support and style.
Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tops and Tanks are very useful well into your nursing experience! My youngest son is now 10 months old and I still wear a nursing tank or top daily. They are perfect for layering and come in a great variety of colors that can be worn by themselves in the warmer months!
So what sets Glamourmom apart from other nursing bra tanks or tops? So many things!! The inner soft-cup frame offers discrete nursing and enhances breast support. The mesh lining holds your nursing pads in place so you're never having to fish around for them after you're done nursing. The clip is easy to use with one hand and the flap opens down for easy access.
© 2010 Glamourmom LLC
If you chose the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tank or Long Tank, you'll notice the straps are the same soft cotton to match the tank and the clasps sit flush against your skin. They are fully adjustable! This is the perfect nursing to tank to wear on it's own. Most won't even know it's a nursing tank! This tank is available in sizes S-XL and comes in a wide variety of colors to match anything!
 © 2010 Glamourmom LLC
If you chose the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Top or Long Top, you'll notice the straps are a little thicker and are made of smooth elastic. They are fully adjustable and have the traditional nursing bra clasp that matches the straps and tank. It is available in sizes S-XXL and has many colors to choose from!
© 2010 Glamourmom LLC
I'm so thankful that Glamourmom was kind enough to let me review their Nursing Bra Top! It's a staple in my wardrobe and I can't do wash fast enough to wear it next! It was perfect for layering in the winter, so comfortable to sleep in when my son was still nursing at night, and as it's warming up, I can't wait to wear it by itself in the summer!
If you're looking for a perfect shower or mom-to-be gift, or you're just looking to spoil yourself, I highly suggest a Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tank or Top. You won't regret it!
For your chance to win a FREE Glamourmom Nursing Bra Top or Nursing Bra tank in your choice of size or color, check back on Thursday for our Weekly Giveaway, sponsored by Glamourmom!
Congratulations to this week's giveaway winner! Sarah (Minnesota Mama's Must Haves) has one a Nizo Nursing Bra is choice of style and size!
Please email annie@nickisdiapers.com within 1 week to claim your prize!
|
|
