hiiiii my name is Bethany, i’m a lactation counselor, but i also work a 9-5 (i mean if we’re being technical, 8-6) job! i’m a receptionist at a family owned animal hospital — my mom has worked at this clinic for (not even exaggerating) almost my whole life!!! my bosses are like family, and it’s amazing to give my energy to a place that is doing such good in the world.

i’m always embarrassed to admit that i still work a 9-5 job, but i know that doesn’t take away from my knowledge and expertise as a lactation counselor. especially when we need more exclusive pumping resources in the lactation space!!!

P.S. do you have the resource list of IBCLC/CLCs that have pumping knowledge and education?! snag the list here to find a lactation professional that you vibe with best to support your journey

i’ve listed what i am personally packing in my bag when i return to my paying job (because remember, being a parent is a job, too) — in a goldenrod color. everything else that is mentioned are products and ideas that are still soooo good for packing your bag that i still want to mention, even if i won’t be using them when i return to work on a daily basis.

WHAT’S IN MY PUMPING BAG

my friend Anna @teachingmotherhood put this in such an easy way that seriously made me re-think how packing our back to work bags is supposed to go 🤯 like let’s make this as simple as possible and use as less postpartum brain energy — cuz i’m gonna be honest, the amount of times i have almost accidentally mixed up putting the cereal in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard is beyond embarrassing at this point. i need simple, dammit!!!

YOUR BACK TO WORK PACKING OUTLINE —

• something to pump your milk with
• something to store your milk in
• something to wash your pump with

like omggg why didn’t i think of this before!!! anything else is extra, but those extras can be SO helpful, especially in the early days and weeks of returning to work and want to feel like you aren’t missing anything. and when you’re not quite sure what you will need as you figure out your groove at work.

***please note that some of these links have affiliates, and i do get a small kickback if you order anything through my individual link! THANK YOU because this helps me continue to give you pumping and breastfeeding content and support this community!!!

SOMETHING TO PUMP WITH —

PUMPABLES GENIE ADVANCED — www.pumpables.co (use my code BETHANYBOU for 10% off)
i usually pump while at my reception desk (both my supervisor and myself are comfortable with this) with a breastfeeding cover. Pumpables GA is one of the quietest, portable and primary pump options in my collection — it’s gentle enough where i personally don’t notice it’s on after about a minute or so into my pump session, yet it’s SO effective in milk removal!!!

MEDELA MANUAL PUMP — Amazon affiliate link (please note that this is the only Medela pump i will ever recommend to you! check out my review of the Pump In Style and this should tell ya everything you unfortunately need to know about my thoughts on Medela 👀 )

this is my extra pump! there’s been unfortunately too many times (ADHD human that can’t focus on packing her damn bag correctly) where i’ve left some sort of piece at home. duckbill valve? collection bottle? my whole ass pump? YES, all have been left behind at some point. no matter what your extra option looks like — this could be packing an entirely extra electric pump, a full extra set of pump parts, or a low-pressure manual pump. i highly suggest packing and just assuming you will forget something important, because it will unfortunately WILL happen.

SOMETHING TO STORE YOUR MILK IN —

CERES CHILL — www.cereschill.com (my link for 10% off)
for keeping your breast milk cold and safe, there is literally no better option when traveling or away from home! at my highest volume, during my 10-11 hour work day, i was expressing around 18-24 oz. that’s a lot of milk to worry about if it is being kept cold and safe for my baby!!! with two chambers, the idea is to fill one with ice (or you can freeze the inner chamber if you don’t have access to ice) so your milk is kept cold literally ALL freaking day.

MASON JAR — Amazon affiliate link
i personally use the pitcher method when storing my expressed breast milk! the idea is to combine all your milk in one single container during the day — to have LESS bottles to keep track of, and make tracking your milk simple and easier. need more about the pitcher method and how to make it work for your lifestyle and family? snag the oversupply starter guide HERE!!!! i love mason jars because they are glass, easy to clean and usually have some markers on the side to indicate volume.

LUXABOO COOLER SET — Amazon link
if you don’t have access to a fridge to keep your freshly expressed milk cool, or don’t feel comfortable combining milk temperatures — this cooler set is absolutely FREAKING GENIUS. my friend Caroline created this cooler set specific to pumping parents when she couldn’t find exactly what she needed for her back to work bag. milk bottle ice packs, enough space to fit your flanges and collection cups, adaptable to transform into your kiddo’s milk bottles and snacks when going to childcare — i’m SO excited to use this on our family trips and adventures, especially!

SOMETHING WASH YOUR PUMP WITH —

THE FRIDGE HACK —
i personally choose to use the fridge hack during my work day. the basis of this looks like refrigerating your pumping parts (but not the motor) between pumping sessions. this can be to simply remove more physical work like washing these pump parts, or if your work doesn’t have a safe sink or cleaning area to care for your pumping parts. my oversupply starter guide goes into much more detail about the fridge hack, what the CDC says about using it, and how to make it fit into your lifestyle and for your family! grab the oversupply starter guide HERE (and even if you’re not an oversupplier specifically, that’s okay! it has a ton of milk storage hacks for pumping parents)

PUMP WIPES — Amazon affiliate link
yes, there are wipes for your pump parts, just like baby wipes! these are so handy for on the go, and if you personally feel better about washing down your equipment. even more so if you have very little time, because these are so quick!

TRAVEL BOTTLE CLEANER KIT — Amazon affiliate link
if you have the time and availability to wash your pump parts in a safe sink and faucet, these travel bottle cleaner supplies are so handy! one thing i’ve noticed when using silicone washing brushes, after a while it tends to leave the fatty residue of your milk on plastic bottles and pump parts. it is really important to clean these parts fully and thoroughly, so i do suggest purchasing a bristle brush like this one to give a GOOD wash when you are back home.

SINK WASH BASIN — www.cereschill.com (use my link here for 10% off)
one of the number one cleaning rules for baby bottles and pump parts? you ALWAYS use a separate wash basin. i don’t care how thoroughly you clean your actual sink — this is for the safety and overall health of your baby!!! i love this collapsible basin by Ceres Chill. fold it up and bring with you to work, the hotel on vacation, your in-laws house for Sunday dinner. say hello to easy!!!

YOUR BAGS —

MAXIMALIST BAG — www.onepumpedmama.com (use code BETHANYBOU)
as much as i love simplicity, sometimes ya need room for all the possibilities, right?! this bag is large and in charge and has room for all the extra baby clothes, laptop and folders, literally the definition of “Mary Poppins bag”.

WET DRY BAGS — Amazon affiliate link
if you’re using the fridge hack to store your pumping parts in between sessions, you absolutely need a wet dry bag. i love these to toss into, zip shut, and keep completely closed in your work fridge!!! we can all agree that not all fridges are not the most sanitary (like ewww David), and your job is to keep your pumping equipment as safe as possible for your baby. this is your easy button!

MIMI AND PAL — www.mimiandpal.com (use code BETHANYBOURGOIN for 10% off)
linking one of my FAV brands because they are so high quality, and some of my favorite pumping bags and pouches. the Harper bag has been my minimal diaper bag for months, throw a few diapers in, some wipes in the wipe specific pocket, an extra onesie — DONE. next on my list is to grab the Radley backpack!!!

YOUR EXTRAS —

the extras aren’t necessary, but i like to have them in a pinch, because i WILL need to cover my ass a time or two! pick and choose what feels best to you, but these are also some of my tips to get comfortable packing your bag, until it becomes more routine and easier.

BREAST MILK STORAGE BAGS — Amazon affiliate link of some of my favorites
i got a video message from a girlfriend literally two days ago when she was pumping at work — she forgot one of her collection bottles and had to use a breast milk storage bag instead!!! these are also amazing if you for whatever reason to hand express into, or are in a pinch. but i’m telling you, mornings can be WILD, i love just stashing a few in your bag just in case.

INDEX CARD TRICK —
this is your “bag packing tip” from yours truly, when i would forget my dang HEAD if it wasn’t attached to me. write every single pump part and piece (yes, include x2 duckbill valves and diaphragms) that you need to pack in your pumping bag. laminate with tape (optional) so you can reuse and physically check off that you have every single piece packed for your day of pumping!

PUMPING COVER — Amazon affiliate link
okay so this isn’t technically a pumping or nursing cover, but even better! a stretchy baby swaddle blanket tied around the back of my neck and around my waist. i use this every day because i typically pump at my reception desk, so i do have something to be more modest while working.

PUMPING SPRAY — www.coboomom.com (use code BethB10)
some parents find using lubrication on their flanges to be so much more comfortable! to quote my best girlfriend on a random Tuesday “WHY DIDN’T I DO THIS SOONER” — this can cut down friction experienced when pumping.

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related blog posts that i think you’ll seriously love —

• my ride or die breast pumps + pump equipment (capsule wardrobe style) i would sell my kidney to try again
• 4 worth the hype breastfeeding + nursing friendly clothes that i will purchase over and over again
• the ultimate guide to using your wearable breast pumps to keep up your milk supply

what are your non-negotiables in your back to work pumping bag? what did i miss?
xoxo, Bethany | Certified Lactation Counselor | Your Overproducing Exclusively Pumping Mama