Pumping at Work

Now that I've been back at work about a month I feel like I am in a groove with pumping during the work day.

I talked about pumping at home here and here if you need a refresher. Or just contact me at any point in the day because generally I am either pumping, thinking about pumping or trying to eat and drink enough so I can pump later on. 

The long and the short of it is that pumping at work is a lot of work (setting up and repacking) but it is nice to have a break from my desk twice a day.

If I could give any advice about pumping at work it is to make sure you are prepared in every facet.  You essentially need to be a traveling pump gypsy with all of your things.  Think through your day and your pumping process and triple check you have everything you need.

To make sure I was ready and felt prepared, I went ahead and purchased 2 of all of my pumping essentials (besides a pump) to make sure that I always have what I need with me at all times.  The other key item is a bag to hold all of your things.  There are some really adorable pumping bags out there that hold your pump but I am actually just using a  diaper bag we received as a gift.  It's huge, doesn't look like a diaper bag and holds of my things, it's a winner.  

Through some trial and error I have a pretty well oiled machine of pump bag essentials:

Pump (duh)

Milk storage bags 

Sharpie (to date your bags)

Pump parts (bottles with lids, flanges, membranes, tubing)

Ziploc bag to hold parts

Hands free bra

SNACKS

Water bottle (I found a Gatorade type water add in I've been using and it's great!)

Lunch box/ice pack

Paper towel (for setting parts on)

Car charger (not needed for work but very handy for pumping in the car and it stays in my bag)

Travel size dish soap

My pumping schedule changes slightly every day but I'm currently on a 4 hour schedule it goes something like this:

6am: Pump and pack up pump

10am: Pump, package milk in storage bags and date

2pm: Pump, combine milk in one bottle and TIGHTLY secure with a lid

6pm: Pump, wash up all of my parts and repackage for the next day, make up bottles

I then proceed to check about 9 times if I have everything.

10pm: Pump

I try to get as much ready the night before as I can because I am pressed for time in the mornings and do not want to have to worry about it.  

I keep my parts in a lunchbox in the fridge and that has a dual purpose.  1- to keep the milk cold, of course and 2- so I don't have to wash my parts each time I pump.  This saves a ton of time and sanity. 

Any questions or items I don't have in my bag that I should??