Work. Pump. Repeat.: The New Mom's Survival Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work

Jessica gives a hilarious point of view in the world of pumping as a working mom. I am blessed to have a very supportive employer that meets my breast pumping needs, but I took note of her tips and stories for when I found myself pumping in rather public and/or strange places. Her checklists are detailed and instructions are clear. Her recommendations actually helped me update my employer's breast pumping policies and give input on the newly built lactation room. I was glad she called out the pump as your new frenemy. I thought she was making it up while I was reading this guide on maternity leave. Now that I'm working and pumping I now understand her wisdom. Jessica is right. You both hate and love that mechanical baby. My favorite part of this guide is Jessica gives you confidence in your breastfeeding and pumping decisions. She gives you all of the options and leaves you to decide what's best for you and the baby. This is completely opposite of other pumping guides which seem to force down your throat that their way is the only way.

Before I had my first baby, I remember sitting in a breastfeeding class put on by the hospital we were delivering in. I raised my hand and asked the instructor, "So, do they show you how to use a pump in this class or in the hospital? I'm going back to work and would really like to know." Her actual reply was, "No. Pumps are easy. I mean, just look at them. Just use it." And that was it. I knew I was going to have to find my answers elsewhere. Which is sad, really, because it's not unusual to be a working mom. This book is amazing. I'm going back to work next week after having my first baby and I feel like this book really prepared me for the realities of pumping and being a working mom. The tips are real and practical, and Jessica's stories are extremely helpful. I have my first work trip coming up in a couple months and feel so prepared already. Buy this book before you have the baby so you know how to navigate the conversations with your HR department before you go on maternity leave. Then re-read the book before you go back to work. I've already read it twice and gleaned even more the second time around! I love her style of writing in a non-judgmental, empowering way. She left me feeling like I can do this. If you're planning on working and pumping, do yourself a favor and buy this book.

This is a fantastic book, full of humorous encouragement for all those mamas pulling double-duty (breastfeeding & working). It has a lot of helpful insight about how to continue pumping when you go back to work, even under some inhospitable conditions. It also has a full chapter at the end detailing numerous resources that could possibly needed by aforementioned mamas, such as websites for lactation consultants. The only downsides to this book are: 1. the length. I feel like if I'm going to purchase a book, I want it to be worth my money. Since I purchased the kindle edition, which is cheaper than the physical copy, I do feel like I paid a fair price. If I had purchased the hardback copy at full price, I may have felt a little disappointed. In addition, I just plain enjoyed reading it and would have liked to enjoy reading it a little longer. :) 2. I feel a lot of this information could probably be found on the internet. Some of it is common sense, or something you would figure out after one time of pumping. The thing that made #2 not such an issue for me is it really felt like I had a girlfriend/older sister supporting me and cheering me on, saying, "You can do it, mama! keep going!" For someone who struggled with pumping & supply issues, this was such a blessing. The core idea of this book is, "Your worth as a mother isn't measured in ounces." I feel that is such a special, powerful, and important thing to remember. This book was definitely worth a read to feel that encouragement.

A must read for a working mom who plans to pump!

Best purchase I've made during pregnancy. I almost finished the book over a weekend. A must read for moms returning to work who plan on pumping. Many helpful tips and tricks. I highlighted the important stuff I know I may come back to once baby is here or when I go back to work. This book gives real, relevant advise for recent moms juggling work and a baby. As stated in the book most breastfeeding books focus on the early stages: latching, positions, and getting a good start to breastfeeding. This book helps to set you up for success and realistic goals once you're returning to work unlike most popular breastfeeding books which assume you plan to be a stay at home mom or will be exclusively breastfeeding/nursing without much info on pumping. I'm so glad I read this now and probably will refer back to it later on. Put my mind at ease on some issues I was most concerned with returning to work and establishing/keeping milk supply while pumping. An updated, relevant read for working mommies.

I loved this book! I started reading about a month prior returning for work. It mentally prepared me for what’s ahead. I didn’t want to go to work, but it helped me knowing that there are other working moms going through same thing. It was an easy and funny read, which was light and relatable. It was helpful with schedules, how to ask for a lactation room (didn’t even know that there would be one in the office and sure enough we had one), booking your calendar for pump sessions and most importantly travel while pumping. When it was time to travel, I referred to the chapter and got my supplies ready. I even asked the TSA to change their gloves when inspecting my cooler (I would have never thought of it). Definitely buy it, it will help you get ready!

This may be the least judgmental breastfeeding literature that I've ever read. There are so many good tips and so much great advice for moms who will need to use a breast pump at any point in their breastfeeding career. It gives a lot of information on how to approach coworkers/your boss about breastfeeding, how to pump in "less than ideal" locations, and giw to overcome hurdles while nursing/pumping. The author draws on her own experiences as a working mom as well as the experiences of other women in various lines of work, which all come with their own set of challenges. Throughout the book as continues to remind us mothers that our "worth is not measured in ounces" and that it is important to consider our own mental health when it comes to breastfeeding, and if staying sane and healthy means using formula, guess what - YOU ARE STILL A GREAT MOM! You don't see that in a lot of guides to breastfeeding, but it is really important to remember.

There were some helpful tips, some antiquated tips, and some things that just seemed basic knowledge. It was a good read to make sure I had mentally checked all the boxes before returning to work, and I'd likely recommend at least a quick read. I did receive a used book despite buying new which was a bit annoying but certainly livable.

I LOVE this book! I haven't actually started back at work yet so I haven't put this so into practice, but it's helped me feel way more mentally prepared. I had originally thought I'd give pumping at work a try but it probably wouldn't work, but now I have confidence I can make it work for us! I also love the style of the writing; it's very down to earth, practical, and no nonsense. It fits my style perfectly. This is an American book so a few sections don't directly apply to the UK work environment, but those bits are few and far between. I frequently refer back to sections to re-read, and reference this book when talking to my friends often. I highly recommend this to anyone considering pumping at work!!

This books cover almost all scenarios a working mom can face. Also gives an interesting approach to social difficulties moms hace to deal. Prepare to read the word doable a lot XD

For those dreading the end of matt leave and wanting some motivational reading. Pumping at work is anxiety provoking. This book covers some areas that you might be fretting about!