I was a breastfeeding, working and traveling mom. It was hard.
Although COVID-19 “imposed” work from home made it easier, I wish I got more advice along the way. I had to google tips, experiment, improvise (from pumping in airplane bathrooms to restaurant kitchens ... somehow, somehow I made it past the two year mark).
So since it’s Mothers’ Day week, here are my top 4 tips: hope they will help even one mom in her breastfeeding feat.
1. Buy a great cooler. I love YETI commercials. A man fishing. Your beer will stay cold through an unforgettable venture. What about my week long business travel to UK? I invested in a YETI cooler, which was my carryon, fridge and best friend. Easier then dry ice, it got 24 beer cans worth of breast milk back to my baby after five days of travel. Maybe a new personal story commercial for YETI ;-)?
2. Step out and speak up. That uncomfortable walk out from a meeting filled with men (these days turning off your camera and going on mute). At some point I became ok with the head turning exits. I found comfortable ways to make it known that I needed a mother's break. I talked about it. My YETI accessory also helped to make a statement (although I imagine some scratched their heads).
3. Work for a company that values YOU. This can be a tough one, not everyone can switch jobs once they find out they are pregnant (if you need to, but can’t see tip #4). But definitely think about your future want to be a mom when choosing an employer. I recently wrote about being hired at 9 months pregnant. I was lucky to join company with people who have been supportive and accommodating to my want to breastfeed for so long. I am not a millennial, but in this case I challenge myself to think like one. I want to work for a company with a social purpose and culture that is invested in employees needs and reshaping the traditional workplace.
4. Know your rights. Yep they wanted me to dump a gallon of breastmilk at the airport. I didn't. I knew the rules, I kindly yet stubbornly articulated my rights. Yep a fellow mom's co-workers complained about her using company time to pump. She addressed their concerns head-on. Again research, ask and speak-up.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice and not by any means the right or best one for every mother. But for those of you that hold breastfeeding as a top priority know that you don't have to compromise in your professional life. You can do it.
Let’s support each other. Feel free to reach out.
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