Oh, the joys of being a breastfeeding mother: the late nights, the production demands, the physical wear and tear, the emotional wear and tear, societal expectations.
….and then there are the joys of pumping….
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“I love my pump!” said no mother ever. None-the-less, if you’re a working mom committed to breastfeeding, pumping is a necessary evil.
So what should you pack in your bag when you return to work? Here are the items you shouldn’t go without:
- Pump (with electric cord and tubing)
- Parts (mine include flanges, connectors, and valves/membranes). I recommend storing them in cotton bags like these reusable bulk goods bags. They’re easy to make or you can purchase them on Etsy.
- Cooler with bottles and ice pack
- Milk storage bags
- Gallon size plastic bags to store used parts
- Something to do!
- Baby wipes or tissues
- Nursing pads (I like these by Bamboobies!)
- Extra membranes
Watch the video below as I go through what all is stored in my bag!
Notes:
If you can, I recommend having two pumps — one for work and one for home — to reduce the amount of stuff you need to transport on a daily basis. Obviously this isn’t a feasible expense for most, so ask your mom friends if they have one they’re no longer using. Even the moms who skip straight to formula will sometimes take the insurance-provided pump just in case someone they know needs it.
I like to use these cotton bags for storing my pump parts after washing. They’re breathable so I don’t need to worry about mold growth and I can just toss the parts right back in my bag so I know I won’t forget them the next day.
I keep my used parts in a plastic bag so milk doesn’t dry on them. When I arrive home, I just toss them in a bowl of hot, soapy water and clean up is fairly quick! Wash the bag right along with your parts.
Don’t forget to run your pump for a couple of minutes after you’re done! This will help the condensation in the tubes evaporate and prevent molding.
Good luck on your pumping journey!
— Funky Crunchy Mama
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