Almost two years ago I brought my pump into my office. I was so nervous. “How was I going to get UNDRESSED during my work day.. THREE TIMES?! How was I going to function without nursing every two and a half hours?! How was I going to focus in meetings when my boobs were literally POPPING?!”
My first day was to say the least, awkward.
I fumbled through getting undressed and made a huge mess because I didn’t know how to take the flanges off my boobs without spilling all the excess milk. I was so embarrassed because I thought everyone was looking at my poorly placed breast pads showing through my shirt. I was a mess.
Over time, though,I learned which clothes worked best so I didn’t have to completely undress and that dresses were a complete disaster and to NEVER wear them unless I could bring them down over my shoulders. I learned to not feel weird knowing executives were walking past as I sit on the other side of my door completely exposed, or jump at the maintenance man who I knew had a key even though my sign clearly stated “Pumping Mother, Please Do Not Disturb”. And I found a rhythm to the new reality of a pumping, working mom. Over time it became the new normal, and I didn’t give it a second thought to what 9, noon, and 3pm looked like for my daily routine.
After almost two years since I brought my pump into my office at work, it’s all packed up and heading home for the last time. My pumping at work journey ended a little while ago, but I’ve kept it under my desk “just in case”.
Finally, it’s time.
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Just starting your pumping journey?
Here are some tricks I learned along the way:
Back to Work Pumping Made Easy