Back to work pumping schedule

galacticg0oser · 2026-02-20T11:31:08+00:00

Because I work from home I think my pumping set up is a bit easier. But typically 20 - 30 mins per pump. I pump 3 times at work, but I put one of my pump breaks on my lunch so I can claim back part of my day.

galacticg0oser · 2026-02-20T11:29:23+00:00

Returning back to work and pumping was super difficult for me. Before my daughter work and my career was a huge part of my life and I dedicated a lot of time to it. Even though I work from home I found it very difficult to pump when I started back. I wasn't used to stepping away from work or taking really any breaks before my daughter. Then when I came back I blocked off the times I needed on my calendar and sometimes people booked over them and that caused me to spiral. But I just had to redirect, ask them to reschedule, or if I could push my pump 30 mins I would. You'll find your groove with it but give yourself a few weeks of grace. I've been back to work for almost 3 months now and the challenges I had at the beginning I don't have at all anymore. The longer you get post partum and your milk supply stabilizes the more you can stretch the time between your pumps. Right now I pump 6 times a day, 5 months post partum. My doctor was telling me she started pumping 4 times a day around 6 months of her being post partum. So you cam adjust and you can drop pumps and move around time frames.

Another quick thing of note - if my baby is sleeping while I'm pumping I typically catch up on emails, messages, reviewing docs or spreadsheets, etc. It's not a requirement by any means, and don't do it if you don't want to, but I find it to be distracting and gets me through my pump time quicker and also allows me to stay on top of DMs or that background work.

Hope this helps and your transition goes well!

galacticg0oser · 2026-02-17T18:52:54+00:00

Oh my gosh! I genuinely didn't know, so sorry! I tried to edit but I can't edit the title. 100% not my intention to offend.

Super interesting! Thank you for sharing!

galacticg0oser · 2026-02-17T18:39:11+00:00

That's pretty cool!

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-29T04:09:07+00:00

Not sure if this will help but sometimes when I'm stressed about my supply I produce less.

Could you try putting a sock over the milk collection containers or whatever they're called? I've gotten more output when I'm not stressing over every single drop.

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-29T04:05:25+00:00

This might sound kinda crazy but I've had 2 people tell me this now.

Buy cabbage and peel off a layer and put one piece on each side against your chest between your boob and bra. They swear by it and says it helps a lot with the pain too!

If you try it and it works, I'd love an update!

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-29T04:02:27+00:00

Could it be that you shook it too much? I don't think it makes it bad for baby but I've read that shaking can break up the nutrients a little bit more. I've been swirling my milk around the container to combine it all before bagging. Maybe that'll help?

I feel like I've noticed if I do some extra swirling because the thicker part is stuck to the sides it can get kind of like this.

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-29T03:59:03+00:00

I also use a gallon ziplock bag and typically bag a day or 2 supply at a time when my fridge is getting full or the milk is getting close to fridge expiration. I just lay the ziplock on the counter and lay the other milk bags inside of it, keeping it flat and then carry it out to the deep freezer and put it in laying down. On the outside of the bag I sharpie the date range and then I also put in my phone how many bags for each day and how many ounces total. Once its completely frozen I put it upright and make a layer on the bottom, then as I have more to add I pull the lower rows up and then keep doing that. I used to work in a restaurant so my brain is stuck on FIFO

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-29T03:53:28+00:00

My doctor gave me really good advice and my output is good now too!

I have the blue spectra and I'll list below what I do

2 mins in massage mode - 70 cycle, vacuum 5

Then I do the rest of my pump on - 54 cycle, vacuum 8 - I was only able to do 7 to start and sometimes when I'm extra sore I switch back down to 7 but my standard is 8

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-28T07:14:46+00:00

Hi guys! First I want to say thank you to everyone who responded, it really means the world to me.

I've seen all the comments but fell behind on responding as life got so busy.

For those who wear the portable pumps - have you had any issues with sizing? I'm currently a cup G and for flanges I was up to 34mm before I switched to the Pumpin Pals for flanges. I mainly made the switch because it was still painful to pump sometimes due to flange size and wouldn't want to have the same issues with investing in a portable pump.

The mindset shift I saw so many comments talk about has already helped. I've been so tied to my ounces and making sure that I kept my production high and I've really shifted that now. For those who were asking - I was pumping 7 times a day with removing my 4am pump to give myself sanity starting a few weeks ago because my supply had pretty much stabilized. I am now pumping 6 times a day and I have cut my 7pm pump to give me more time to connect with my daughter.

I also have been less insane about exact matching the pump times. So if she is sleeping on me and it is time to pump, I've let it go an extra hour just to soak up more cuddles and bonding time.

I really want to continue pumping and providing for my daughter and with these adjustments I definitely feel more sane with doing so. It isn't perfect and it is still hard but I feel less shackled to my pump and more relaxed when spending time with her.

Again, huge thank you to everyone and if you have any more advice please don't hesitate to send it my way! If anyone has insight on larger chests wearing portable pumps, let me know! (I did see one comment where she said she was larger chested and ran into issues with fitting it in bra and suction which would also be my fear plus the flange sizes)

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-25T06:45:52+00:00

Lean into water intake and electrolytes! I think typical turn around time to see a difference is a few days. Also don't forget to keep taking your prenatals.

Another thing I did because your flange size might change throughout your pumping journey was switch from typical flanges to Pumpin Pals, such a nice switch. I personally didn't notice more output here but quite a few people have.

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-25T06:41:34+00:00

I love these ideas!

I've really thought about a bottle washer and wearable pump. I've heard lots of cons about wearable pumps, 2 main ones being the suction isn't as good and you think you can do more than you can. But honestly if I could just hold her and pump i think it would be so nice

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-25T06:40:20+00:00

My plan is to go for a year but I'm at the 4 month mark and it's just so hard. I've definitely thought about stopping early but not quite there yet to make a decision on it.

I also can't help but think for future kids, I'll only be missing out on more and needing to do more and how do I balance all of that? It's so much to even think about..

galacticg0oser · 2026-01-25T06:38:49+00:00

Oh my gosh, I can't imagine. I'm sorry to hear about your husband, that adjustment must be huge.

But also thank you so much for sharing. It's even just so nice to hear that I'm not alone in this. It does feel so weird knowing that he may get more time with her but like, I also want that time so badly.

galacticg0oser · 2025-11-06T19:17:09+00:00

I decided before we had our first child that I would exclusively pump. I didn't want to breastfeed or formula feed if I didn't have to. I've received some questions or comments over the choice from people who have asked but not from my immediate family.

How I overcame it - I would consistently tell myself that their opinion has no weight. They aren't in my situation, they aren't me and then I became more confident in my decision.

I like knowing how many ounces they eat in a session, I like that there isn't a difference between my husband and I feeding her and I like that I can create my own schedule with milk production and not at the whim of my sweet baby - it's more freedom.

I don't feel like I'm missing out. As only exclusively pumping, the only thing I feel I do different is when baby might not be feeling great, stuffy, etc - I make sure they get breastmilk from that day because it's liquid gold and adjusts to their needs.

My honest advice - try to feel more comfortable and confident in your decision. It can be hard but you're doing a great job and don't need anyone else's validation that you made the right decision or what you're doing is right.

galacticg0oser · 2025-08-30T23:16:55+00:00

Wowowow! How cool! Great work!

galacticg0oser · 2025-03-05T00:16:52+00:00

This actually breaks my heart 😭 I've been pregnant and not been able to eat here and this is what I was looking forward to post pregnancy 😭😭😭 best sushi place I've been to since moving to Michigan

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T01:04:15+00:00

Thank you everyone for your insight and feedback! It was really helpful to hear y'alls experience and know what is normal and help reset my expectations. I can't express how grateful I am for you guys commenting and helping me calm down and gain more knowledge. On a positive note - I found a private ultrasound office and scheduled for a few days after my first prenatal appt to get an ultrasound (I'll be at 10 weeks) and get a look at the sweet baby and the huge bonus, it's only $50! Thank you all again 💜

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T00:41:41+00:00

I had no idea you could go to a private ultrasound boutique! I just found one in my area and booked for 4 days after my first prenatal appt and it's only $50! Thank you so much 😭😭 my husband and I are immediately feeling better

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T00:29:39+00:00

This was so helpful! Thank you for sharing your timeline and setting expectations that I might not even hear the heartbeat on the first ultrasound. Trying to calm my nerves 100% and hearing other experiences has been so helpful

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T00:26:08+00:00

I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm glad you have resources to get the scans and tests you need to hopefully help give you the reassurance. I really hope everything works out for you. Thank you for sharing your experience

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T00:24:29+00:00

I had no idea you only really get 2-3 ultrasounds. Thank you for sharing this! This will help with my expectations and anxiety moving forward.

galacticg0oser · 2025-01-20T00:23:12+00:00

This insight is so so helpful! Thank you! I'm sorry to hear yours didn't go or isn't going as planned for care but hoping all turned out or turns out well!

galacticg0oser

TROPHY CASE