My dear friend Whitney and I have been going back and forth for an entire month about who was going to write this blog post. COVID-19 has knocked all of us on our butts and quite frankly, your favorite LPs (lactation professionals) are just as confused as you are. One thing we’re still figuring out is how to parent while in quarantine. Specifically……. How to make our scheduled pump breaks. Here’s 5 tips to navigate pumping while in quarantine.
Don’t.
If you're a nursing parent and are quarantined with your nursling, nurse them instead of pumping. If you have a spouse or partner, you can hand the baby off for diaper changes and settling after nursing sessions. Meetings can be scheduled around nursing times or muted when the baby is nursing. This eliminates the need to clean parts when there's already so much more going on. If you’re an exclusively pumping parent or need to offer a bottle during the day, by all means, pump. But, don’t pump if you don’t have to.
Take your regularly scheduled pump breaks.
If you would be given breaks in the office, you are entitled to them while working from home. You can set up your pump equipment in your home work space and take a little mental break. Or you can full stop and go into another room to pump.
Hands free is the way to be.
Working from home presents a new set of challenges. Your children don’t understand that you're still working and can't watch themselves. If you’re like me, you’re balancing doing gainful work for your corporate job, while navigating the waters of your job as a parent. To free your hands up to cook meals, break up fights, or sneak food into your mouth, utilize a hands free bra. Don’t have one? Resist the urge to shop online and find an old sports bra. Cut two small holes where the nipple would be. I recommend starting with small holes and cutting as needed, so that you don't make them too big.
If you can’t beat them, join them.
If you have a toddler like I do or older children, try pumping on the floor or in their play space. I know, this sounds like a bad idea. But the concept that you’re actually going to get 15-30 uninterrupted minutes away from your child or children is…. laughable. Sitting on the living room floor, where you’re on their level allows you to be engaged, as well as get those pump sessions in.
Ask for help.
Many of us have never lived through a pandemic. This is uncharted territory for us, as parents as as humans. If you have a partner that lives with you, employ their help. Allow them to handle tasks that they may not normally do or be present for. If you notice you begin to have issues with your milk supply, reach out for professional help. Many free organizations have gone virtual, just like many of us lactation professionals. Baby Cafe’s, La Leche League meetings, etc. are utilizing virtual platforms to connect parents and provide resources. Lactation Consultants are still offering virtual services.
I hope to see you all on the other side of this thing will full milk supplies!
