One of the (many) daunting things about going back to work for me, was pumping at work. Never mind the anxiety over having enough milk, was pumping the right choice for me and my child, would my daughter take a bottle… the logistics of how this was going to work was something I hadn’t considered much before it was about time to do it. So, as you plan your return to work, here’s what you need to figure out:

First, make sure you have all the gear. You’ll need:

1. A high-efficiency breast pump, like the Medela Pump in Style.
2. Bottles that fit your breast pump.
3. A cooler – some are made specifically for bottles which is a plus.
4. A hands-free pumping bra. No wasted time for working moms!

Second, you’ll need a place to pump

1. Oh, you have an office?! Lucky duck. Talk to HR or your manager about having a curtain installed on any windows and a lock on your door and get after it.
2. Okay, you don’t have an office… you can still do this! Again and again, I’ll return to ‘ask a mom’. Find a mom you know who has recently pumped at work – or ask HR if they can give you the details AND recommend a mom to speak with. Moms know the true ins and outs of what reality looks like in your office. HR can give good info, but reality may differ, even if only slightly.
3. If you find out there isn’t a designated place to pump, ask your manager and/or HR if they can help you find a place to make this happen.

Third, get to know the space and how you book it

1. If you think of it before you go off on leave, check out the space you’ll be pumping in if your office has a designated mother’s room or similar. Or if you go in for a visit with your new babe to the office, check it out then. It’s nice to know where you’re going before you return to work
2. If the protocol in your office is to book the mother’s room before using it, try to do so before returning to work if you have access to your laptop. If you don’t, contact HR and ask for their help in doing this at the times that you’ll need. Having a plan before getting to work will ease stress on the day of your return. But if it’s not possible, make it a priority to book the room first thing the day you return.

And remember, pumping for your baby, if it’s something that’s important to you is amazing, so go for it. But sometimes, even with the best office accommodations, it can be stressful for many reasons (meeting schedule, monotony and lack of supply, to name a few). So if it’s too much, that’s okay. Mom’s sanity comes first, so cut yourself a break!