I remember the first day back at work after James was born like it was yesterday. I came loaded with my pump and supplies and had no idea what to expect. I ended up sitting in a bathroom that was rarely used staring at myself in the mirror two to three times a day for the next ten months. I cried in that bathroom, sweat, read, and pumped milk for my baby and other babies who I will never meet. I came to really enjoy my times pumping at work. I am one of the lucky ones in terms of production and also my support system.
I worked with two moms who really supported my decision to pump at work and I never felt rushed or that I was not getting my work done. My husband was also great. He helped clean pump parts and bottles when I got home and would sit and talk with me if I needed to pump more or extra for the next day. I really began to feel that each bag of milk was like liquid gold and when James stopped taking a bottle and I had a supply in the freezer and I knew I had to find a place to donate.
I continued to pump at work to keep my supply up and breastfeed James before and after work as well as the weekends. I googled places for donation during one of my times pumping and found Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast. They were great to work with and made everything so easy. I was able to ship my milk from Philadelphia to Boston with no problem. If any pumping/working mom ever needs some encouragement read Milk Memos (I read while pumping!). It’s about a group of women who shared their journey about pumping and while working at IBM.
James will turn 2 in October and I am still breastfeeding and I wouldn’t change anything about my journey.
Screening to become a breast milk donor is done through an easy four-step process. Once accepted for donation, milk can be shipped door-to-door or through one of our donor milk depots throughout the Northeast.
