How Should I Set Up My Pump Station?

An article from Psychology Today, discussing the pros and cons of routines, begins
like this: 

If you’ve got a good routine set up…you’ve freed yourself from a lot of small decisions that could slow you down or capture valuable brain space that you’d prefer to use for something else. You can now go on autopilot and still accomplish your goals. In this way, paradoxically, a good routine can be freeing. No need for constant decision-making about what’s coming next or what you should do. You’re going to brush your teeth before you leave the house, and that’s that! (1)

While we intend to say nothing about sticking to routines for the rest of your life, we do suggest making everything about your breast pumping a routine so that it can become easy and relaxing! Part of establishing your pumping routine is establishing a pump station—one place that you regularly pump when you’re home.





These are a few, commonsense, suggestions.

• Choose a room that has a relaxing energy. This is different for everyone. If being in front of the TV is relaxing for you, great. If sitting in a quiet room is bliss, go for it. All that matters is that the energy of the room is relaxing for you. 
• Choose a comfortable chair with an ottoman or footrest, ideally. 
• Set a small table next to your chair.
• On/under/near this table establish a place to store your pump or a place to rest your pump once you’ve returned with it from work. If you are bringing your pump to and from work, set it in its “home” as soon as you return home so that you’re never bothered to fetch it at pumping time. 
• A hands-free pumping bra.
• An entertainment source: ipod, radio, TV, gossip mags or a book.
• Spare Parts: Most moms recommend having 4 breast shields with valves and membranes and 4-6 extra bottles clean and on hand. Because membranes can easily tear, you might consider having a few extras here as well.
• A hand towel or sanitizing wipes, for any mess.
• Water!

These are just suggestions. Most importantly, your pump station is a place for you to establish breast pumping as a part of your daily routine. While you pump for the well-being and nutrition of your baby, these slices of time can still be a little bit of brain freeing, relaxing, or reflective you time.

Our resident “Moms Who Know” informed this post and our writers composed it. No one contributing to this post is a trained medical professional. For further reading and information on familiarizing yourself with your breast pump, please visit the websites for any of the five brands Byram Healthcare proudly distributes:

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com

http://www.ameda.com/breast-pumping/getting-started

http://www.freemie.com/index.html

https://hygeiainc.com

http://www.spectrababyusa.com

Sources:
Routines: Comforting of Confining? Meg Selig for Changepower, Sep 14, 2010. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/changepower/201009/routines-comforting-or-confining

Daggett, Jennifer. How to Survive Pumping. Lexington: 2013. http://cloudmom.com/pumping-breast-milk-essentials-guide-and-product-picks/