Pumping on the Job: Shaina's Story

Thursday, 5/5/2016

Many moms go back to work after giving birth, which can pose a new set of accommodations needed in their workplaces. While baby may not be at the office, his or her feeding schedule can still affect mom’s work day. Pumping during the work day allows moms to maintain the milk supply needed for their babies, even without directly breastfeeding.

Our Director of Operations, Shaina, is the expert pumper in the office at Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas. After her son Noah was born in April 2015, she put in the extra time and effort to keep a pump schedule for a year.

Using an alarm on her phone kept Shaina on schedule. The phone would buzz every two to three hours, reminding her to take a pumping break. The MMBNT office has a lactation room, which provides moms like Shaina a comfortable, private space to pump or breastfeed. A schedule like this can be challenging to maintain, though, and she admires women who keep it up.

“It’s hard to work pumping into the day,” Shaina said. “I have supportive coworkers who would encourage me to take breaks, which was great.”

Special accommodations in the office made her pumping experience easier. One cabinet in the break room stored all of Shaina’s pumping supplies, and there was a designated area in the freezer where she kept her milk during the work day.

Shaina recommends finding fun ways to pass the time while pumping. For her, this included watching videos and looking at pictures of her son, as well as spending time on her social media. She also suggests bagging milk right after each pumping for easy storage.

While she is no longer pumping, Shaina does still breastfeed Noah. Living near the office allows her to go home during her lunch breaks to feed her son.

Overall, Shaina feels lucky to have had a positive experience of pumping while at work. “I had the experience I feel that all women should have,” she said, thankful for her coworkers’ good attitudes toward pumping.

She believes that having appropriate space and support from those around you is essential. “Despite any challenges”, Shaina said, “it is all worth the satisfaction of knowing your baby is getting what he needs.”

For more information on Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas, click here.