I came back to work in July... and let me tell you - IT WAS HARD!! I had just spent the last 12 weeks being my babe's total life line! I fed her - literally, as we are heading towards month 5 of exclusively breast feeding - I changed her, played with her, held her while she napped... I didn't want to leave any of that.
Unfortunately, society makes it extra difficult for a parent to stay home and raise their child. So... until we win the lottery, we both work 40 hours a week.
My goal is to make it to 6 months of breast feeding, so that means I have to pump when I am not with her. The thought of having to pump at work just stressed me out! Between making sure I have all of my supplies with me, making sure I have lunch at work, making sure I get out of the house on time, AND get the baby to my mom's house was a LOT to carry in the morning.
After about a week of trying to get myself together and NOT feel like a pack mule, I have the following items here at work with me:
My breast pump - My insurance company paid for my pump and went through Aeroflow. They took care of everything! I went with the Medela.
In my pump bag, I keep the following:
+4 flanges so that I can use 1 set during the day and have the other set clean for the next day.
+Some Quick Clean Wipes to use between sessions
+Norwex Napkins that I use in place of paper towels - let's face it... pumping can get messy
At my desk, I keep the following:
+1 box of Kiinde storage bags, and order more when I run low
+Additional packages of wipes, and order more when I run low
+Norwex Dish Detergent to wash my pump parts each day
+Boon Drying Patch to let the pump parts dry over night
+Bottle Brush
Thankfully, all of these items are stored, and locked, safely in my desk. Plus, all of my supplies are here, so I don't have to try and remember anything else.
I also keep frozen lunches here in the office freezer, and a plethora of snacks - because let's face it, breast feeding makes me HUNGRY!! I even keep lactation cookies at my desk! They don't help everyone, but they help me AND they taste good! I wouldn't keep them if they didn't.
Hope this helps you Momma, as you prepare to return to work. You got this!!