When your parental leave comes to an end, there are LOTS of mixed emotions about going back to work. Make your life a little easier by reading these recommendations and getting the essentials that apply to your situation to make the transition as smooth as possible!
BACK TO WORK ESSENTIALS
IF YOU’RE BREASTFEEDING/PUMPING:
Start a storage stash early.
- The pump is never as efficient as baby, so starting a freezer stash early (if you chose to/want to continue to breastfeed) is key! Aim to store at minimum 1 oz per day from 2 weeks on.
- A haakaa will be your BFF
- Check out my power pumping tips to increase your supply
- Know that it is OK TO USE FORMULA too!
- If you’re thinking about introducing or supplementing with formula, do this BEFORE you go back to work incase your supply can’t keep up. That way it will be less stressful to introduce it (some babies will refuse formula at first).
- Introduce a bottle EARLY.
- This will make your life MUCH easier!!
- Check out my bottle feeding post for tips and tricks and to AVOID oral aversion!
- Rotate your freezer stash to avoid wasting milk.
- See tips on my “How to Rotate Your Freezer Stash” post on IG.
Medela Quick Clean Products
- Quick clean breast pump wipes
- Quick CleanSpray
- Quick Clean Sanitizer bags for pump parts
A Travel-Size Washing Station
- This Boon travel drying rack is very convenient to use at work and leave in your desk!
- This Oxo Tot travel bottle brush and rack is also great because it comes with a travel brush in a convenient case to throw in your pumping bag or desk!
- Breastmilk removal soap – also great to get BM stains out of clothes! Removes the fat film left over from breastmilk.
Dual Pumping/Nursing Bra
- I love the look and feel of the DairyFairy Ayla dual pumping and nursing bra! You can nurse in the morning and pump while at work without changing bras.
- Medela hands free pumping bra – great to change into while pumping so you can check emails or get caught up on texts!
- Bravado clip and pump bra – if you don’t need to wear an underwire bra under your work clothes, this bra is the way to go and will save you a lot of time! (women with larger tata’s might need more support)
- Larken X “Hands Free dual nursing and pumping bra“- I LOVE all Larken bras – they are soo soft and seamless!! If you need more support, you may want to go with more structure, but these bras and tanks are great.
- (use code BUMBLEBABY for discount)
- ADAPTERS TO PUMP DIRECTLY INTO BOTTLES – A MUST!!!
- SAVES SO MUCH TIME, less transferring and spills, and less dish-washing!
- Spectra to Avent adapters
- Spectra to Comotomo adapters
- Spectra to Medela, Ameda, Dr. Brown’s adapters
- Spectra to Tommy Tippee
- Spectra to Boon adapters
- Medela to Spectra adapters
- Medela to Comotomo adapters
- Medela to Tommy Tippee adapters
- Medela to Avent adapters
- Medela to Boon adapters
- Medela to Storage baggies
- Spectra to Storage baggies
- SAVES SO MUCH TIME, less transferring and spills, and less dish-washing!
- Extra tops for bottles – so you can pump directly into bottles and seal them tightly (the nipple and bottle top made for nipples can leak!) This way you’ll prevent spills, but you can also directly store the bottle in the freezer.
- Spectra Tops
- Medela Tops
- Avent Tops
- Lansinoh Tops
- Comotomo Tops
- Dr. Brown’s Tops
- Tommy Tippee Tops
- Ameda Tops
Pumping snacks
- Raw Rev Glo bars are my fav!
- Bento Box for you to have healthy snacks on hand.
- Swig water bottle with closable top and reusable straw.
- Keeps your coffee hot during commute and busy day at work
Idaho Jones Pump/Work Bag
- This bag holds EVERYTHING! Your pump, parts, spare clothes, snacks, water bottle. It even has an easy access zip for your pump.
Extra pump parts (2-3 sets, leave one at work just in case!)
- I was always forgetting one part!
- Assemble all of your parts the night BEFORE and throw them in your bag.
- Keep spare parts at your desk in a ziplock/wet bag as well just in case!
- Freemie cups are something to look into as well – no hands free pumping bra needed. You just stick then in your own bra! If you don’t have a ton of time or privacy to pump at work, this is a great and discreet option.
A storage system
- Kiinde twist pumping bags (pumps directly into the bottles). This starter kit also has everything you need!
- Lansinoh baggies (these are my favorite!) also have adapters for bags. I prefer these because of the double zipper and the fact they they lay very flat – allowing for maximum storage in the freezer.
- EXTRA BOTTLES. At least 5 extras and here’s why:
- PRO TIP:
- Pump directly into bottles to save TIME, TRANSFER, SPILLS, and WASHING!
- I divided bottles after pumping to the exact amount baby would eat so I didn’t have to prep at home.
- For example, if I pumped 4 oz a session, but baby at 6, I would combine to make a 6 oz bottle with multiple pumps and store in my bag.
- Check out these adapters to make your life easier:
- Wide neck to narrow neck adapters
- Use Spectra pumps but Dr. Brown’s, Medela, or Ameda bottles? This adapter screws right on to the Spectra parts and allows you to pump directly into narrow neck bottles.
- Narrow neck to wide neck adapters
- Use Medela or Ameda pumps (narrow neck) but wide neck bottles such as Avent? These adapters will be great for you!
- Comotomo user?
- These narrow neck pump to comotomo adapters as well as wide neck pump to comotomo adapters will be life changing for you.
- Wide neck to narrow neck adapters
- Pump directly into bottles to save TIME, TRANSFER, SPILLS, and WASHING!
- PRO TIP:
Car Charger Adapter for Your Pump
- Do you have a commute to work? I pumped EVERY day in my car when going to work! Saves a ton of time and allows you to spend less time in the pump room at work. You can even pump on your way home! Here is the Medela and Spectra car charger adapters.
Small towel for lap/washing parts
- Nice to have something to clean up with!
Spare shirt to leave at work
- Just in case you leak or spill!
Packit freezable lunch bag for breastmilk storage
- YOU KNOW I LOVE MY PACKIT FREEZABLE BAG!
- Great for travel, daycare, work, day trips and so much more. Keeps cool for hours.
- Check out my travel post for more tips.
Scout dry bag
- I kept all of my spare parts, bottles, tops, baggies and a sharpie in my dry bag. If you don’t have time to clean, it’s waterproof and you can rinse with soap and water or vinegar when you get home.
Button down tops
- Easy access!
Lactation massagers and products to encourage milk letdown
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- This product is like MAGIC! It cuts pumping time by improving milk flow and letdown AND helps empty your breasts more effectively! It also helps reduce clogged ducts because of the warmth! (use code BUMBLEBABY for discount). See my post on blocked ducts and mastitis
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- This massager also increases milk letdown and pumping output (it also softens the breast for better latching when breastfeeding!). use code BUMBLEBABY for discount
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- This massage roller gives your hand massaging a break while providing better simulation and compression during PUMPING + breastfeeding! (use code BUMBLEBABY for discount)
- These 3-in-1 Breast Therapy packs can be used hot or cold! Using them hot helps encourage milk let-down and reduces time spent pumping!
- The heat also works to relieve engorgement symptoms.
Hand sanitizer
- EOS lavender or Dr. Bronners are my favorite. It’s nice to spritz some on right before and after pumping.
Nursing Cover
- You may want to bring one if you don’t feel completely comfortable! I love the Copper Pearl multi-use car seat cover and nursing cover (they’re so soft and stretchy)!.
IF YOU’RE FORMULA/COMBO FEEDING:
EXTRA BOTTLES + TOPS
- Bottles get left at daycare + get lost ALL THE TIME and it drove me nuts!
- Have at least 5 extra spare bottles and tops! Makes the dishwashing easier, too. Just wash opposite bottles once a day.
Baby Breeza
- The Baby Brezza is a GAME CHANGER for formula parents!! It’s like a Keurig for formula.
- Please be advised – there have been incidents of formula being made incorrectly in the Brezza. You can use this as just a water warmer, too!
Formula pitcher
- Have you seen my formula post or formula pitcher tips? If you’re formula feeding, you NEED this pitcher – make all formula once a day ahead of time. Then just pour, pack, or serve!
- This way, you only have to prep ONCE A DAY for childcare.
Photo Album of Baby
- This will help with letdown if you are pumping and cheer you up during the day if you’re not!
- Kleenex may be needed!
- **You also may want to consider completely disconnecting! I found it WAY to hard to see what was going on at home and got rid of my Wi-Fi monitor. This helped me so much!
Bottle Labels
- These silicone ones are for marking the date and time pumped. I always preferred pumping directly into bottles – to avoid transfer, spills, and less parts to wash! Great to use for daycare too.
- These Mabel’s Labels are my favorite too! Dishwashable.
Sharpie Pen
Starting Childcare 1-2 Weeks BEFORE Going Back to Work
- This allows you to get a good feel for how baby is doing, how much milk/formula to send, make changes, and have a practice day of pumping to see your output and how it matches to what baby is eating. If you’re formula feeding, you’ll get a good gauge on how much formula to send.
- Get your hair cut, shopping done, and nails done during this time to make yourself feel FRESH for work!
Tips to Make Your Life Easier:Leverage your partner/husband and delegate
- Talk about splitting maternity and paternity time to save money and have more time with baby at home
Make things easy on yourself wherever possible
- Minimize washing parts etc. by pumping directly into bottles etc.
Tell your coworkers and boss when you need to leave early with advance notice
- This makes leaving on time easier and less stressful
Schedule “me” time activities for weekends
- It’s important to have something to look forward to on the weekends and to make time for YOURSELF!
Buy new clothes/accessories to feel like your best self
- Get clothes that make you feel happy and CONFIDENT!
- Get a manicure or haircut (anything that makes you feel fresh)!
Cleaning lady if you can!
- It’s worth it! It will also make you enjoy your time off with your family more!
Keep dinners quick and easy!
- I make a LOT of my meals during the week using my crockpot. But recently I discovered the Instant Pot and LOVE IT!
- Meal prep on Sunday’s to stay organized for meals throughout the week
- TIP: I always make double what the recipe calls for so I have it for leftovers and lunches throughout the week. Shredded chicken in the crockpot is something that I always make double of so we can use it for multiple meals (tacos, over a salad, with a veggie, in a casserole, etc.)
Shared google calendar with your partner
- This will keep you BOTH organized throughout the week
- Don’t forget to schedule date nights for just the two of you to catch up on your week!
Instacart/Amazon Prime Now to save you time and energy
- It’s worth it! TRUST ME! No one has time to grocery shop these days! (make your life easier!)
Read the 5th trimester
- A great read that is super relatable!
2 sets of makeup
- One for home and one for work
Knowledge of your rights as a new mom
- ADA, ACA, and FMLA – brush up on these before heading back to work!
**Remember to take one day at a time. Don’t quit on a hard day. If you have 5 bad days in a row, time to reevaluate.
Be patient with yourself. Give yourself PLENTY of time to adjust to the change and new routine. You are a rockstar! Please use these tips and advice to make your life EASIER. Happy parents make happy babies and families. You’re setting a GREAT example for your baby by working HARD!! Keep it up 🙂
Is your baby refusing to take a bottle or having a hard time with it? We offer in-home and virtual bottle consultations to help your baby take a bottle with one of our trained NICU nurses. Click here to book with us today!
Download our free back to work checklist to make sure you’re prepared!:
**The CDC recently changed their breastmilk storage guidelines. Click here and save these somewhere you can easily find when you need them!
Have more questions? Schedule a text or video chat consult with Kate, Lauren or Natalie (NICU RNs) and they can help answer any questions that you have!
**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider. Bumblebaby makes a small commission on some of the items listed above.
