Modern medicine emphasizes that “breast is best,” while society encourages us to embrace empowerment and independence. Thus, many of us find ourselves juggling careers, partners, and children—sometimes even as single parents navigating this complex landscape. Yet, when the time comes to breastfeed, we often find ourselves asking, “How can I continue breastfeeding when I have to be away from my baby for 8 to 12 hours a day?”
The reality for many new mothers is that coming back to work after just six weeks feels nearly impossible. We crave more time to bond with our newborns, especially when our bodies are still adjusting, and our little ones are struggling with sleep patterns. Unfortunately, instead of addressing our needs for extended maternity leave, the system has provided us with something called the Right to Pump, which feels more like a band-aid solution than a true fix.
I can only speak from my own experience, but when I had to leave my 8-week-old child in someone else’s care, I was consumed by dread. That sinking feeling in my stomach was a constant reminder that something was amiss—my heart ached for my baby. My instinct knew that leaving them was wrong, yet the necessity of being the primary breadwinner for my family pushed me to return to work.
To all the working and pumping mothers out there: I see you. I know you’re squeezing in pumping sessions during your breaks, sometimes even eating while you pump. I understand the anxiety that accompanies announcing you need to step away, worrying about whether it’s a good time for your colleagues. You might find yourself in a cramped room that barely meets legal requirements, hanging a sign on the door that may or may not keep people from interrupting your much-needed pumping time.
You push through, trying to produce enough milk for your baby, often feeling like you’re falling short. Those moments when you come home without enough milk can feel devastating. And let’s not forget that these pumping breaks often aren’t paid, adding hours to your workday and extending the time until you can cradle your little one again.
Every time you announce you need to pump, you might face a barrage of comments from coworkers: “Again?” “How long will you do this?” or worse, “Isn’t that gross?” The guilt of wanting to do what’s best for your baby while yearning for the camaraderie of your lunch hour can be overwhelming. I know you scroll through videos of your baby while pumping, cherishing those little moments, even as they bring tears to your eyes.
A successful pumping session deserves celebration, and finding a coworker who understands this struggle can be a game-changer. At home, you long for the simple joy of holding your baby in your arms instead of standing by the pump. I know that the judgment you feel at work can be suffocating: “How long has she been gone?” or “Why can’t she just switch to formula?”
You wrestle with exhaustion, trying to balance sleepless nights with the demands of your job, all while cherishing those fleeting quiet moments when you feed your baby. You rely on dry shampoo and pumping-friendly outfits to navigate through the chaos, and coffee becomes your lifeline.
I understand the toll that mastitis and other breastfeeding complications can take. Missing work due to health issues feels like an impossible luxury, especially when you know that few would empathize. Your professionalism gets questioned, and the pressure of balancing work, home, and motherhood feels insurmountable.
This is the daunting reality of being a working mother who breastfeeds. The question, “How can we maintain our careers while nourishing our babies?” often goes unheard. What we need is a more supportive maternity leave policy—something that shouldn’t be harder to achieve than for our furry friends. Surprisingly, laws protect puppies from being separated from their mothers too early, yet human mothers don’t enjoy the same rights.
For the sake of our children, let’s hope they never have to choose between their careers and what’s best for their little ones. We need comprehensive paid maternity leave, and we need it soon. Until then, keep pushing forward, fellow moms, and continue to advocate for what we truly deserve.
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In summary, the life of a working breastfeeding mother is fraught with challenges that often go unnoticed. From pumping during work hours to managing societal expectations, we navigate a complex environment while striving to do what’s best for our children. Advocacy for better maternity leave policies is crucial, and until change happens, we must continue to support one another in this journey.