Communicate with your boss and coworkers.

Experts always say that communication is key to any relationship, and the same is true for moms in the workplace! Employers who have never worked with nursing moms before may not know what would be most helpful for moms who need to pump. When breastfeeding moms express their needs, they are more likely to get accommodations that make pumping at work easier. 

For example, if a pregnant mom explains to her boss that she will need a private, designated space to pump when she returns from maternity leave, that gives businesses time to find a room that will work for everyone. And a mom’s request to pump in private is backed up by the law, so don’t settle for substandard treatment from an employer.

Get the right products to feel prepared.

A prepared mama is a happy mama. And the same goes for nursing moms who are getting ready to pump at work. The right products can make a monumental difference in breastfeeding moms feeling their best as they return to the workplace. The setup of a mom’s office can impact which breast pumping products would be most helpful on her breastfeeding journey. For example, if a mom has access to a private refrigerator, she would probably benefit most from breast milk storage bags to store her expressed breast milk during the day. Moms who don’t have access or don’t want to use their office fridge need a portable cooler or personal mini-fridge to keep their breast milk safe.

No matter how an office is set up or where a mom pumps, a portable breast pump that is lightweight and easy to use gives moms essential flexibility as they pump. Although most providers will only cover one breast pump through insurance for each pregnancy, some moms may also want to buy a spare breast pump out-of-pocket or use a hand pump in the place where they pump less often. 

Make breast pumping work for you.

Our final tip is to remember that every mom’s breastfeeding journey is unique. Moms who have maternity leave or other time off work after giving birth may notice certain things that make breastfeeding or pumping easier. For example, some moms find that looking at pictures or videos of their baby can help encourage let-down and make a pumping session run smoothly. Successfully pumping at work comes when moms make their routines into whatever they need them to be. 

Some new moms may get stressed about the work time they lose during a pumping session. Moms who feel like this can try to find ways to be productive while they pump! Something like answering a few emails during a pumping session or even organizing tasks for the rest of the day in their head can make moms feel like they are using their time more efficiently. Moms who feel like they need more time to pump may need to have a conversation with their boss or a human resources representative. There is no federal protection for how long moms get to pump at work, so a mom may need to reach out to a coworker and ask them to help out with work while she is pumping. 

Moms can achieve whatever they set their minds to, and Pumps For Mom is here to help! With the best breast pumps through insurance and essential products like breast pump storage bags, we have the products that moms need to pump like the bosses they are. Our maternity products specialists work directly with moms to help them find the right products covered by their insurance. Browse our breast pumps and qualify for yours through insurance today! 

Signs a Baby is Ready for Solid Foods

Sitting up by themselves and continuing to sit unsupported is one of the most important signs that your little one is ready for solid foods. This milestone typically occurs around the six-month mark. However, even if your baby is six months old or older, they might not be ready to transition to solid foods just yet if they don’t sit up on their own. Additionally, infants must be able to overcome the tongue-thrust reflex, which instinctively tells a baby to push food out of their mouth. This reflex helps your little one protect themselves from choking hazards before they are ready to try solid foods. 

Developing a pincer grasp, which is when a baby holds small items like pieces of cereal or fruit between their thumb and forefinger, is an additional sign your little one is ready to graduate from a strict breast milk diet. You know your little one best, so if your baby is reaching some of these milestones and you have confirmed with your pediatrician, it may be time to start introducing your baby’s first foods! 

Tips for Introducing Solid Foods

Introducing solid foods to a growing baby can be a challenging and slow-moving process, so it’s essential to continue breastfeeding! Breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for infants through the first year of life so remember to keep your breast pump handy! When preparing to give new foods to your baby, take some time to allow them to fill up on breast milk before and after trying the solid food. Babies are more likely to enjoy an unfamiliar food if they are not ravenous. 

Additionally, It’s always important to remain patient with yourself and your little one. It can be tough to find foods that a growing baby likes, and you may get frustrated if you feel like you’ve tried foods from every aisle in the grocery store. But it can take a couple of tries for a new eater to find a food they enjoy, so don’t give up!

Recommendations for Baby’s First Foods

No matter what foods you are introducing first, start with small portions. Learning to eat can be a challenge for growing babies, and offering just a few small pieces of a new food can encourage your little one to try something new without overwhelming them with a plateful of unfamiliar foods. 

In addition to making small portions, parents should prepare foods that are soft and cut in small pieces to reduce choking risk. Fruits may be one of the best options to introduce as your baby’s first food, as bananas, plums, peaches, pears, apricots, avocados, and unsweetened applesauce all serve as excellent and safe choices. Remember to cut these fruits into small pieces and gently cook plums, peaches, pears, and apricots to ensure they are safe for your little one. In addition to these fruits, well-cooked and shredded chicken, iron-fortified cereals, and whole-grain breads can also be healthy and tasty foods for a baby to try. 

Introducing solids is not an easy process, and your little one may test your patience as they go through phases of foods they like and foods they hate. Do your best to remain flexible, and let your baby lead the way when you can. Try introducing new foods in a high chair, then switch to feeding in a parent’s lap to see which your little one prefers. If your baby loves a food one day and throws it off their high chair tray the next day, don’t be afraid to try again! Just like adults, our favorite foods can change as we grow. 

Motherhood is full of moments that are beautiful and challenging. The Pumps For Mom team is proud to support new and expectant moms by providing top-of-the-line compression products and breast pumps through insurance. Our team of maternity products experts will walk you through every step of the process so you can find the insurance breast pump or compression product that works best for you. Qualify now using our simple form and get back to what really matters–being the best mom you can be.

Get your breast pump through insurance

For most moms, the key to successfully breastfeeding after returning to work is to use a breast pump. And at first glance, these medical devices won’t fit the budget of new parents who need all the diapers and baby wipes they can get. However, with Pumps For Mom, many moms can get a free breast pump through insurance that can make a world of difference when breastfeeding away from home. Many insurance plans cover the cost of a double electric breast pump, with many brands offering pumps that are quiet, compact, and discreet enough to use in the workplace. Work with Pumps For Mom to get your breast pump through insurance before you head back to the office.

Find a comfortable place to pump

Every workplace is different, so there is no easy answer to the question of where to pump. However, there are certain laws in place at both the federal and state levels that give moms rights regarding where and how they pump at work. For example, the Affordable Care Act requires most businesses to provide a private space other than a bathroom where moms can pump comfortably and safely. This space can be anything from a storage closet or an unused office to a dedicated breast pumping room, depending on your workplace. It can often be beneficial for moms to have a conversation with their supervisor before they take maternity leave to discuss a pumping location in the office.

Take your time as you pump

When the time comes for a new mom to return to work and find moments during the day to pump, it is important to take your time and not put too much pressure on yourself. Feeling stressed about any work you’re missing or what your coworkers are thinking can make pumping more difficult and uncomfortable. Many moms need time, peace, and quiet to encourage let-down and pump successfully, and trying to rush the process will probably not do you any favors. Although federal regulations do not guarantee a specific amount of time that a mom can pump at work, this is another topic to discuss with your supervisor so you can be sure you have the time you need to pump during the day. Some moms even find ways to work while they pump, whether it’s responding to some emails or making a to-do list for the rest of the day. You can be productive in more ways than one, mama.

Prepare for breast milk storage

Pumping at work is a challenge of its own, but expressing breast milk comes with the additional need for proper storage. New working moms need to be prepared to store their breast milk safely after they have pumped, which usually means having access to a fridge or freezer at work and a portable cooler to transport expressed milk back home. Taking some steps to keep your breast milk cool during the workday and on your way home helps ensure none of your hard-earned breast milk goes to waste. Once you bring your breast milk home, be sure to practice proper and safe breast milk storage!

Being a working mom is not for the faint of heart, and we know that the pressures of being a successful woman and an amazing mother can be overwhelming. Take a breath–you’re doing great, mama! Give yourself patience as you readjust to the working world as a breastfeeding mom and a full-time superhero. 

The experts at Pumps For Mom know the challenges all moms have to face before and after their little one arrives, and we are here with you every step of the way. From our range of insurance breast pumps to our maternity compression garments covered by insurance, Pumps For Mom is dedicated to making moms’ lives easier. Explore our breast pumps and compression products, qualify for an insurance breast pump with our simple form, or contact us for more information.

What is the Current Law for Breastfeeding in Georgia?

Although the Affordable Care Act protects moms who pump at work, there are still gaps in access to resources. The vague language included in the current Georgia law says that employers may, but are not required to, provide unpaid break time. They are also required to provide a private space for nursing mothers. This flexibility gives employers an excuse to not allow employees to take the time that they need to pump. 

The current law in Georgia was problematic for at least one breastfeeding mother as she tried to pump at work. This woman, a public school teacher, was attempting to use a breast pump during one of her planned breaks. Her supervisor told her that she could either stop pumping during her break or she could stay late after school to make up for the time she was using to pump. Because she was not protected by Georgia law, this working mother had to make a choice between expressing breast milk and being penalized at her job.

What Would Charlotte’s Law Change?

Inspired by the public school teacher mentioned above, Charlotte’s Law would amend the current legislation in place in Georgia. It would also establish clearer protections for breastfeeding moms in the workplace. Most notably, this law would change important language in the bill, stating that employers shall provide reasonable break time. This would replace the current wording that says employers “may provide reasonable unpaid break time” for expressing breast milk. 

This distinction places the burden on employers to ensure their employees receive this necessary time to pump, rather than on moms to squeeze this time into a busy workday. Additionally, this amendment replaces vague language relating to where employees can pump. Charlotte’s Law states that employers shall provide a private space to pump that is not in a restroom, which is essential in helping moms keep their expressed breast milk sterile.

What Do Breastfeeding Moms Need in the Workplace?

While the changes included in this Georgia bill may seem small, they are critical revisions that better protect breastfeeding moms in the workplace. Pumping breast milk does not use much more time than what many employees use for smoke breaks. In most businesses, breast pumping for 15 minutes every few hours will not cause undue harm to the success of a company. 

Nursing moms need a safe, clean, and private place to pump. They also need understanding and cooperation from coworkers to breast pump during the workday. The transition back to work after having a baby is challenging enough. Small changes in a workplace can make all the difference.

Breastfeeding is not easy, but the benefits for moms and babies are enough for moms to take on the challenge of breast pumping at work. Employers should take proactive steps to look out for their employees. Breastfeeding moms should educate themselves on their rights.

An insurance breast pump from Pumps For Mom plays a small part in making motherhood easier. Our breast pump experts make it easy for you to get a breast pump through insurance at little or no cost out-of-pocket. With the top breast pump brands, including Medela, Ameda, Spectra, and more, Pumps For Mom is passionate about providing every mom with the best breast pump. You’ve got enough on your plate – let Pumps For Mom help you get your insurance breast pump today.