Are you a new breastfeeding mom who’s planning to return to work and still continue to breastfeed your baby?

One great thing about breastfeeding is that moms can continue to breastfeed their babies while they return to work by using a breast pump while they are away. By using a breast pump at work, breastfeeding moms can pump breast milk to save for their baby for later while also keeping their milk supply up.

However, many new breastfeeding moms that are planning to use a breast pump at work wonder what to bring to work for pumping.

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One great way to get prepared for pumping breast milk at work is by taking the Milkology Back to Work Pumping Class. This class is taught by Stacey Stewart who is a Certified Lactation Educator and a mom of 3.

Stacey has successfully taught lactation to thousands of moms. In her class, she strives to educate and empower breastfeeding moms to reach their lactation goals and breastfeed and pump for their baby with confidence and ease.

Her Back to Work Pumping Class teaches moms how to transition back to work while also pumping plenty of breast milk for their babies.

What Should I Bring To Pump At Work?

1. Double Electric Breast Pump

Obviously, the very first thing and most important thing you will need to successfully pump at work is a breast pump. And I highly recommend using a double electric breast pump so that you can pump both breasts at the same time.

Not sure how to pick out the right breast pump for you? Did you know that you can get a breast pump for free through your insurance? Check out how to get your breast pump now so you can start pumping away.

Along with your breast pump, you’ll want to make sure you have any breast pump accessories you will need. Some breast pump accessories may include:

extra pumping parts, breast shields, valves, membranes, batteries or the adapter.

2. Pumping Bag

Once you have your breast pump, you will want to pick out a pumping back to keep your breast pump and all of your accessories in to make carrying it all much easier.

Some breast pumps come with a bag, but not all of them have as much room as many working breastfeeding moms may need to keep all of their pumping accessories in.

3. Cooler with Ice Pack

When you start using a breast pump to express and save your breast milk for your baby, you’ll need to have a place to store it safely and at a cool temperature until you get home.

This is where a nice cooler and ice pack come in handy and keep your breast milk fresh.

4. Hands-Free Pumping Bra

Many working breastfeeding moms have to use a breast pump a few times per day while they are at work. And some of those times, they may need to have their hands free for eating or even continuing to work as they can.

That’s why having a hands-free pumping bra is absolutely genius and can help you to keep pumping without having to continuously hold the bottles to your breasts.

5. Nursing Pads

Most breastfeeding moms use nursing pads to help with absorbing any breast milk that may start to leak out throughout the day. I personally found that I had to use nursing pads constantly.

Keeping some extra nursing pads with you may help you to avoid leaking through your shirt at work.

6. Nursing Cover

Do you worry about complete uninterrupted privacy at work? Some breastfeeding moms just need that extra security that a nursing cover gives.

And the best thing about a nursing cover is that it can also be used when you are pumping at work

7. Breast Milk Saver

Sometimes breasts just have a mind of their own and decide to start leaking a bit even if you aren’t near your baby.

The milk saver is perfect for those situations. You can wear them and instead of having your breast milk absorbed, you are actually able to collect it and then save it for later.

8. Breast Pump Bottles

If you are working a full-time job and are away from your baby for 8+ hours every day, you’re going to need to pump more than once. This is one reason it’s good to pack a few extra bottles for your breast pump so you have extra breast milk storage.

9. Breast Milk Storage Bags

Some moms love to put their pumped breast milk right into a breast milk storage bag when they are done pumping rather than keeping it a bottle. The benefit of using these breast milk storage bags is that they don’t take up very much space in your pumping bag.

10. Cleaning Wipes

Cleaning your breast pump and all its parts is super important, but at work, it can sometimes be hard to find a proper place to wash and dry all of those parts.

Thankfully, pumping moms can get these cleaning wipes that are made perfectly for breast pumps to clean them properly until you can get home to completely sanitize them in your kitchen sink.

11. Breast Pump Clean Bags

Do you feel like your breast pump parts need a little more cleaning? If so these breast pump micro-steam bags are perfect for just that. You simply put your breast pump parts in it and pop it in the microwave.

Just make sure to thoroughly read the instructions first to make sure what is safe to put in the bag.

12. Water Bottle

Now let’s talk about the extra things that a breastfeeding mom at work is going to need. If you want to keep your breast milk supply up one of the most important things you have to do is make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.

One great way to do this is by keeping a reusable water bottle with you at all times and taking sips all throughout the day.

13. Snacks

Making breast milk takes a ton of calories and they all come from what a breastfeeding mom is eating. However, many times 3 meals a day just does not cut it so breastfeeding moms have to have good healthy snacks as well.

So try to keep a few really great snacks in your pumping bag to munch on anytime you feel a bit hungry.

Breastfeeding can be a little difficult – especially if you are trying to breastfeed for the first time.

This is one reason that I recommend that all moms who plan to breastfeed take a breastfeeding class like this one from Milkology. It is also taught by Stacey Stewart and teaches moms exactly what to expect and how to troubleshoot any breastfeeding problems that may arise.

13 Pumping Essentials for Working Breastfeeding Moms