Only mothers that have pumped truly appreciate and understand just how stressful pumping can be. When mothers complain about accessibility to pumping, understand a few things that no one really talks about but should be very important to know:
- The female body is a constant demand-and-supply rule. The longer the breasts go without being drained, the less milk it starts to produce because it starts to think that the baby doesn't need it as much anymore.
- Building a stash is a challenge. We need to build a stash for those in-case moments.
- That time of the month returns quickly once the length of time between breast milk draining increases because the body starts thinking the baby doesn't need you as much, therefore you are ready for another child.
- Period also impacts supply in a cyclical manner. From ovulation to the end of the period, the supply dips drastically. I'm talking 1-2 ounces every 4-5 hours.
- Engorgement (from not draining) can not only impact supply in the long run but it can cause infection called Mastitis in the breast ducts, which can cause abscesses which may require antibiotics and an ER visit to handle the infections.
With all this knowledge weighing down on a pumping mother, I totally understand now why mothers make such a big deal about having a place to pump - either at work or at airports.
Today I also learned that some airports have fabulously understanding TSA agents and other airports have agents that don't give a crap about your needs. Newark is one of the worst mommy-friendly airports. Make sure if you're traveling with a cooler ice pack that that thing is ROCK SOLID ICE FROZEN. Or they will confiscate it without giving any f*ks. The bathrooms are filthy and have no outlets anywhere. SFO is one of the most mommy-friendly airports. They completely understand and the airport has mommy-friendly bathrooms that are cleaner.
I really wished I'd gotten a battery-powered pump while I'm blogging in the air on the way home.
