Breastfeeding and Working

Almost two months ago I went back to work. Baby Girl was 3 months old and exclusively breastfed. We weren't having any issues breastfeeding so I had no intentions of stopping and luckily my work has been extremely accommodating. I have my own little mini-fridge to store milk in during the day and access to a private room only I have the keys to so I can express during the day.

Even when you have a cooperative work (legally they have to be!) you are going to need some additional things to express while at work. This was all new to me but after a month I think I've got a good system worked out. Here are the products that make breastfeeding and being a working mom work for me.

First and foremost my Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump. I literally could not be back at work with out it. Since I'm separated from Baby Girl while I'm at work I need to express to remind my body to keep producing milk and so she can have milk to drink when I'm not around. The Freestyle is small and compact with a rechargeable battery and comes with a complete set for the storage, cooling and transport of breastmilk. The 2-Phase Expression Technology is based on the natural sucking rhythm of the baby: Short, stimulating patterns are followed by longer ones, ensuring an optimal milkflow. Its faster let-down and maximum milkflow reduces pumping time significantly and you can express more milk in less time.

I've used the pump now at home, at work and even on a train. The Freestyle comes with a specially shaped freezer pack that will keep breastmilk cold while you are travelling. The bottles are BPA-free and can be used to store milk with the provided lids or with the Calma teat to feed your baby.

This is the only breast pump I have ever used but is the only one I'd want to use. You can adjust the suction to the strength that works best for you and it holds a charge for a really long time. I didn't need to charge it while I was away for a day for work in London and  I only really need to charge it once a week when I'm using it at work. I've had so many friends complain about their breast pumps but I couldn't be happier with the Freestyle. If you are going to be expressing on a regular basis I really suggest the Freestyle as it's sturdy and reliable.

Also it's worth noting that Medela's customer services team are amazing. If your pump malfunctions or a part breaks they are quick to help you sort out the problem or provide you with a new pump part as needed. Considering it's an essential (and expensive) bit of kit it is great to know they have you covered.

With my Freestyle I use a Simple Wishes hands free pumping bra. My best-friend recommended this pumping bra to me and I'm so glad she did. It means I don't have to hold the pump and can check emails and use my hands while I'm pumping. It has a velcro back and an extra zipper panel so it will fit any size. I was a bit dubious since I'm a 34J (I know it's ridiculous) and my friend is a 36B but it really is adjustable. It's not something you'd wear all day long but it makes such a huge difference when you are expressing two to three times a day. I personally can barely sit still staring into nothing for 2 minutes let alone 15-20 and it really helps that I can read work articles or check emails, too. I like it so much I got one for my sister who just had twins, too.

Once I'm done expressing I need the wash everything so I'm ready to go again later in the day. I got a large tupperware box from TK Maxx which has been invaluable. It is how I store and transport my pump parts, but is also what I wash them in. No offense to my office mates but I'm not really comfortable washing pump parts with everyone's dirty plates. I fill up the tupperware box with soap and water and then use a bottle brush I also got at TK Maxx and keep in my mini-fridge. I put paper towels on the lid of the box and set parts out the dry and then dry out the box and put everything back in. Parts then go in the fridge (a tip my BFF taught me again so you don't have to sterilize at work) and are good to go for your next session. I was able to wash my bottles and parts on the train down to London using the same technique--it's a sink and storage box in one.

Most days I wear my "normal" bras to work but if I know I'm going to be going straight to get Baby Girl and will need to feed her I wear the Anita Underwire Nursing Bra. As I mentioned before I'm up to a 34J so traditional nursing bras don't provide the support I really need. I have a really comfy Bravado bra I wear to sleep in at night, but it doesn't provide a very flattering shape. The Anita gives me the support I need but also means I can easily feed Baby Girl in public. I really struggled to find an underwire nursing bra so I was happy to learn about Anita. 

Finally I have to mention Freida's Pantry Feeding Food bars. Needless to say working full time with a 5 year old and 4 month old can be a bit stressful. Depending on what my week is like my supply has suffered. I've had friends who bake cookies that up your supply or make special oatmeal but honestly I just don't have the time. Luckily Freida's Pantry make bars that not only increase your milk supply but are easy to toss in your bag and eat on the go. When I read the ingredients and I saw fennel I honestly thought I'd hate the bars but they are actually quite tasty and most importantly they work! I've been lucky to have a fairly good supply but the bars have helped me keep that up even when I'm stressed and busy.

I've only had one problem breastfeeding while working (more on that in another post) and I really think that is down to having a good system in place. I'm grateful to my BFF for her recommendations and tips as well as having a pump that works efficiently and effortlessly. Did you breastfeed while working? What are your top tips?


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Transatlantic Blonde were provided some items for review but all opinions are our own.

Working 9-5 & The Very Hungry Caterpillar

So I made it through my first week at work! It wasn't as hard waking up and getting my shit together to go to work as I thought it would be. It probably helped that the weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week and I've been waiting for the bus and walking to work in the sunshine, too! I might be less happy to leave the house if it was rainy and cold!

I've been taking everyone's advice of making sure all my clothes are laid out the night before and anything I need is already in my bag. I've been trying not to wake up NBH and BB so I've been using the guest room like my vanity and doing my hair and make-up in there before I leave. My only problem is getting my hair to look cute. More and more I'm convinced I need to do something different with my hair; I wanted it crazy long forever but now that it is it is more crazy than long if you know what I mean. If anyone has any style tips for fine hair that are quick and easy send them my way!

Work itself has been good. It is really great to be working with an organization where so many people are excited and enthusiastic about social media. I spent most of this week trying to get my head around things and attending a lot of meetings but towards the end I started to plan future activity  with another colleague. Next week I'll be sitting down to talk about work load and work plans and I'll have a better idea of what my day to day might look like.

There are lots of different lunch options around my office and I ended up with a huge new stash of nail polishes after wandering into Superdrug on my lunch break. Normally if I'm in a drug store I run in and out and NBH hates how I can window shop for ages so it was nice to leisurely check out different polishes. Wow that sounds really lame but it was nice!

I was worried about missing Blondie Boy's school show but then I decided to ask if it was okay to take a late lunch so I could see him. Luckily my new office is super office friendly and it was not a problem at all!

The show was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and Blondie Boy was three plums! Cutest three plums you've ever seen right? The children all sang a few songs and then "acted" out the story of the hungry caterpillar before singing a song about a butterfly. Blondie Boy however spent 80% of the time like this:

He never chews his hands and sings all day every day so why he sat with his hands in his mouth who knows! The head teacher came up to say how he sang all the time and we were like oh yes we know! He knows all the words to every song on the Cars soundtrack and we have to listen it any time we're in the car! He did act out some parts and it was super cute though and I'm glad I didn't have to miss it! I know not being able to attend school events can happen to a lot of working moms so I was glad that was not something I had to deal with just yet!

So far my working life has been okay and everyone seems really nice! I've got two days in the office next week before we are off to Spain on vacation and then when I get back I'm off to Brit Mums Live and The BiBs! Two days after that it's my birthday--June is going to be a bit hectic to say the least without even adding in the new job! 


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The Times They Are A-Changin

For the past two and a half years my office has been my couch; working from home wasn't always easy--juggling over 35 hours a week with a toddler was certainly interesting at times but we made it work. It's the whole reason I started What I Wore Wednesday because I needed a reason to get out of sweats while I worked away in my living room. My small business has grown from strength to strength and I've now gotten a new contract that will have me in an office 9-5 each day. It's only been a little over two weeks since I interviewed so it has all gone really fast!

I'm really looking forward to the new challenge this contract holds and we are very lucky that we don't need to increase Blondie Boy's days at school. NotBlonde Husband will take Mondays & Tuesdays off and work days Wednesday-Thursdays with family helping watch Blondie Boy the hour before and hour after school when NBH is working.

The last time I was in an office 9-5 I was 38 weeks pregnant with Blondie Boy so my work wardrobe is dated to say the least! I packed away so much stuff when I was pregnant and we moved and I guess now is the time to dig it all out. I was at my very skinniest before I got pregnant so I'm going to guess a lot of it won't fit and the rest is maternity clothes so I think a shopping trip might be in my new future!

I've been a WAHM and travelled for work as a Mom but I've never been a 9-5, in an office Mom. If I'm honest I'm not that worried about the Mom aspect of it--Blondie Boy is loves going to school and is old enough that I don't think I'm "missing out" on anything. Although I will be missing his school show this Thursday--NBH is on strict orders to take lots of photos and videos!  If you're a working Mom do you have any tips or advice? Do you find it any different to working as a woman without children?