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Going Back to Work? Your Breast Pump (and Flange Size!) Matter More Than You Think

by Brianne Taggart

This post is sponsored by BabyBuddha. I am being compensated to write this article, but as always, the education and opinions shared here are my own as an IBCLC and a mom who has pumped at work.

Going back to work while breastfeeding is no joke.

I know because I've done it.

I returned to work as a nurse with three of my babies, and I remember trying to fit pumping into an already busy workday. Finding somewhere to pump, watching the clock, hoping you have enough time before someone needs you again, washing pump parts, storing milk...and then doing it all over again a few hours later.

One of the biggest things I learned—both personally and now after years of helping breastfeeding families as an IBCLC—is that having a plan matters.

And so does having the right pump.

Primary Pump vs. Secondary Pump: What's the Difference?

Not every breast pump is designed to do the same job.

A primary breast pump is the pump you can depend on for regular, daily milk removal. If you're exclusively pumping, returning to work, or routinely separated from your baby, this is the pump that's doing a LOT of work for you.

A secondary or occasional-use pump can be great for convenience—maybe you're pumping on the go, at an event, during an occasional missed feeding, or you simply want a backup.

The important thing is knowing what you're asking your pump to do.

If you're returning to work and pumping multiple times every single workday, I want you to have a pump you can actually rely on as your primary pump.

That's one reason I've been interested in the BabyBuddha 3.0. It's portable, but it isn't intended to simply be an occasional convenience pump. It's designed to provide the performance needed for frequent or exclusive pumping while still giving moms the freedom of a portable pump.

And when you're trying to pump during a busy workday, portability can make a BIG difference.

But Before We Talk About Suction...Let's Talk About Your Flanges

This is one of my soapboxes as an IBCLC.

Your flange size matters!

I see so many moms pumping with flanges that are much too big for them.

One of the biggest clues? They take the pump off and their nipple and surrounding tissue are extremely swollen.

Pumping should not leave your nipples traumatized.

Ideally, we want the flange or insert to fit comfortably around the nipple so the nipple can move freely within the tunnel without any surrounding areola being pulled in.

Why does that matter?

Because our goals with pumping aren't just to "get milk out."

We want:

Comfort + effective milk removal.

If you're pumping several times every workday, even a small fit problem gets repeated over and over again. An uncomfortable flange can turn pumping into something you dread, and poor fit can interfere with effective milk removal for some moms.

One Thing I REALLY Like About the BabyBuddha 3.0

The EasyFit Flange System comes with five insert sizes right in the box: 13 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm.

I love this movement towards more options. 

For years, so many pumps came standard with larger flanges, and moms assumed that whatever came in the box must be their size.

It almost never was!

Then we'd have to figure out their actual size and order additional inserts or completely different flanges.

Having multiple smaller sizing options available from day one makes it much easier to find a comfortable fit without immediately purchasing more pump parts.

And don't be surprised if your size isn't what you expected! Bodies are different, and flange needs can also change throughout your pumping journey.

If pumping hurts, you're seeing significant swelling, or something just doesn't feel right, don't assume you have to push through it. Have an IBCLC watch you pump and help assess your flange fit.

Sometimes a small adjustment makes a huge difference.

So...How Often Should You Pump at Work?

This is where having a plan can save you.

When moms go back to work, I generally like to build their pumping schedule around what baby is doing at home.

A simple place to start is:

Breastfeed your baby right before you leave → pump around the times baby receives bottles while you're apart → breastfeed again right when you're reunited.

For example, if your baby typically takes three bottles while you're at work, you might plan for three pumping sessions during that separation.

Your individual schedule will depend on your baby's age, your work hours, commute, milk supply, storage capacity, and feeding patterns, so there isn't one magic schedule that works for everyone.

But here's what I DON'T want you doing:

Winging it every day.

I've been there.

You get busy. You tell yourself you'll pump after one more thing. Then suddenly another hour has passed. Eventually you've skipped a pumping session altogether.

When that happens regularly, your milk production can take the hit.

Milk production works largely on supply and demand. When you're regularly removing milk while you're away from your baby, you're telling your body, "We still need this milk."

Put Pumping on Your Schedule

Before you return to work, look at your actual day.

When can you realistically pump?

Put those times on your calendar. Protect them as much as your job allows. Have your pump charged and ready. Bring the parts you need. Have a plan for storing your milk.

And choose a pump that fits the reality of your workday.

For some moms, being attached to a traditional pump setup works perfectly. For others, portability makes it much easier to actually get those pumping sessions in.

That's where I think a pump like the BabyBuddha 3.0 can fill an important gap. You aren't necessarily choosing between portability and having a primary pump. BabyBuddha designed the 3.0 to function as a primary portable pump for moms who are frequently pumping.

It also includes BabyBuddha's Double Drop Mode, which provides another stimulation pattern option. As with any pump setting, stronger isn't automatically better—the goal is always comfortable, effective milk removal.

One Last Thing From an IBCLC (and a Mom Who Has Been There)

Going back to work doesn't mean breastfeeding has to end.

But preparation helps tremendously.

Figure out your flange size before your first day back.

Practice using your pump.

Make sure your baby is comfortable taking a bottle from their caregiver.

Think through when you'll pump.

And give yourself some grace as you figure out what works.

I pumped at work with three babies while working as a busy hospital nurse. I know how hard it can be to stop what you're doing and make pumping a priority.

But I also know that having the right tools and a plan can make it so much easier.

If you're looking for a portable pump designed to be used as your primary pump, you can learn more about the BabyBuddha 3.0 here:

babybuddhaproducts.com/BREEZYBABIES

(use discount code BREEZYBABIES)

Affiliate disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by BabyBuddha, and I was compensated for writing it. The link above is also my affiliate link, which means I may receive compensation if you purchase through it at no additional cost to you.

Written by Bri the IBCLC

Brianne Taggart, Lactation Expert
Mom of four and founder of Breezy Babies Lactation Group, one of the largest private-practice lactation groups in the United States. Breezy Babies supports families both in-home and via telehealth, working with parents locally and worldwide to make feeding feel calmer, more confident, and more breezy.

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