You may read the beginning of my journey in part 1.
As a mom who works outside the home and is away from my baby four to five days per week, I have to be blunt and say pumping at work sucks (pun intended). It isn't always convenient to close my office door and take care of business. However, I am so grateful I can do so in the privacy of my own office where I can keep working (although answering the phone while doing so always makes me nervous), rather than go to a break room.
I mentioned in my previous post that establishing our breastfeeding relationship was a struggle and as you might guess my return to work had me a bit nervous for the transition since we seemed to have hit our stride in the latching department. In the course of our struggles, a friend recommended I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. There is an entire chapter written for working moms and it had some very practical tips I was able to consider as I prepared to go back to work.
Following my return to the office, my daughter refused to nurse one afternoon when I came home and it broke my heart. There were lots of tears from both of us. Although we struggled for a few days that week, we did find a solution and it had more to do with how she was being bottle fed than anything else.
More recently, Maggie rejected the bottle in favor of eating solids, but thankfully will still nurse. It is so interesting to watch her begin to think for herself, even if it's in small ways. Kelly Mom has been another great resource in our journey and I love how accessible it is from my iPhone while nursing; I can look up issues quickly in the FAQ or search areas.
As a mom who works outside the home and is away from my baby four to five days per week, I have to be blunt and say pumping at work sucks (pun intended). It isn't always convenient to close my office door and take care of business. However, I am so grateful I can do so in the privacy of my own office where I can keep working (although answering the phone while doing so always makes me nervous), rather than go to a break room.
I mentioned in my previous post that establishing our breastfeeding relationship was a struggle and as you might guess my return to work had me a bit nervous for the transition since we seemed to have hit our stride in the latching department. In the course of our struggles, a friend recommended I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. There is an entire chapter written for working moms and it had some very practical tips I was able to consider as I prepared to go back to work.
Following my return to the office, my daughter refused to nurse one afternoon when I came home and it broke my heart. There were lots of tears from both of us. Although we struggled for a few days that week, we did find a solution and it had more to do with how she was being bottle fed than anything else.
More recently, Maggie rejected the bottle in favor of eating solids, but thankfully will still nurse. It is so interesting to watch her begin to think for herself, even if it's in small ways. Kelly Mom has been another great resource in our journey and I love how accessible it is from my iPhone while nursing; I can look up issues quickly in the FAQ or search areas.
There is a selfish part of me that looks forward to the day I will no longer haul my electric pump to work each day and have to consider what kind of outfit I'm wearing, but there is also a part of me that will very much miss those moments I've spent nursing my baby in the rocking chair. When I stop and think about how the female body can produce life-sustaining nourishment for another human being, it really is amazing.
My only intention in sharing all of this is that if you're an expecting mom or new mother and you're unsure about breastfeeding or feeling anxious about it is that you're encouraged. It can be a lot of work, but I can honestly say that the amount of work I've put into mothering is unlike any other I've ever done and it is totally worth it. The work may be extremely challenging, but the payoff of having a growing and healthy baby is unlike anything I've ever experienced.
You are giving Maggie such a gift by nursing her! And I am so happy that it is working out for you to pump for her while you are at work, I admire your dedication. There is nothing better for her, you're doing a wonderful job! :)
ReplyDelete