As preparing for baby gets more and more real, I’m in shock about all the things I need to figure out. Childcare, work schedules, feedings, and logistics. It seems like a pretty steep learning curve to me! So, today I’m mentally preparing myself as best I can for what to expect after baby and getting back into the groove of what real life with a child looks like!
My goal is to work really hard to breast feed starting immediately in St. Vincent’s hospital and to really use the one- on-one coaching they give. I have heard that THE only way to go for working moms who need to multi-task is to get the Medela Freestyle, a double electric hands- free pump. I have heard this from other mommies and even the lady at Buy Buy Baby who helped me register. I’m very hopeful that it will be a great fit for me! I think it’s amazing that I can be typing on my computer, washing dishes, or even checking on or changing baby while pumping…no need to take a break! It just keeps on working while you have your hands free to do whatever else you need!
Here’s all the questions running through my mind right now and how I think I may prepare for them:
- How long will I take maternity leave? I envision anywhere from 6-8 weeks depending on how baby and I are doing.
- What will work look like for me? I’m very hopeful to work part-time from home most days and to continue teaching Pure Barre a few times per week. I’m excited about expanding my blog, social media and blogging consulting business!
- What are we doing for childcare? My mom will keep Leyton once a week and then we’ll do some form of Mother’s Day Out or childcare another two days a week to allow me to work part-time.
- How will breast feeding work? How can Eric help? When will I pump and when will I use a bottle? These are all still questions I have to figure out and I know it will come with time. It’s really important to me that we teach Leyton to take from the bottle from Eric as well so that he can have that bonding time with Dad and mom can occasionally take a break. 😉 Luckily, Medela has created SEVERAL awesome resources to help moms like me figure out all the basics of breast feeding and they just launched a free iPhone app for moms who breastfeed, MyMedela. Make sure you check them out hereand follow Medela on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below: How long did you take maternity leave? How long was it before you could exercise after baby? How did you work out breast feeding and going back to work? What kind of schedule or non-schedule worked for you?
Enter to WIN your own Medela Accessory Set! Here’s what you are entering to win:
- Medela Quick Clean Soap
- Medela Quick Clean Bags
- Medela Quick Clean Wipes
- Medela Pump & Save Bags 20ct
- Medela Lanolin
- Medela Disposable Bra Pads 30ct
- Medela Shoulder Bag (Medela double pump kit, cooler and ice pack)
- A pass to access Breastfeeding University, online education and support
Directions on entering to win are available via the Rafflecopter below:
Step 1:
Follow My Life Well Loved via email. (Mandatory)
Step 2:
Go to the My Life Well Loved Facebook Page (here) and share the link announcing this giveaway on your personal page.  Let me know you did it by filling out the Rafflecopter below. (Optional)
Step 3:
Follow @MyLifeWellLoved on Instagram. (Optional)
Step 4:
Leave a blog post comment! (Optional)
Thanks so much to Medela for providing me with a Freestyle Pump to use and review! And thanks to Jett Walker Photography for the photo of me at work.
With it being my very first, expenses are going to be high with all the necessities! 🙂 We do hope to breastfeed exclusively for the first 3 months!
I used my medela freestyle pump for the first time last night! It worked great. Would love to win some accessories for it! 🙂
I do not have a baby yet but I am trying to win this for my best friend. 🙂
I’m due with my 2nd in 7 weeks, this would be perfect! I love the Medela Pumps.
I want to win because I love Medela’s products! I’m currently nursing baby #3.
I would love to win because my son and his wife are having their first and she is planning on nursing!
I don’t need this pump because I had the same one the first time around and loved it! We ended up after 9 weeks of pumping and breastfeeding having to exclusively pump. We made it to 1 year and it was a hard year but so worth it! The pump will be coming back out in late Jan/early Feb for baby number 2. I plan to take 12 weeks off again then return back to working part time again. I would have never guessed that’s how the year would go breastfeeding but you will find what works best for you too!
I have received a double electric Medela pump through my insurance. It is great! However it came without a handy storage bag so I just have all of my stuff thrown in a tote. It would be so nice to have a bag designed to carry all of my necessities for pumping at work (which I do about 3 times daily!!). My hungry little man ears about 8oz of formula while I’m gone during the day but i feed/pink breast milk for him the remainder.
Would love this for myself or to give to my sister In law that is having a baby soon!
I have loved keeping up with your blog post throughout pregnancy! I am 33 (34 weeks tomorrow) pregnant (with our first, another little boy!) and a fellow Pure Barre instructor. We plan to breast feed, even after I return to work, and I would love anything to make that transition easier!
Thanks for all your tips and tricks during this exciting time in your life. All the best to you and baby!
I am done with kids (knocks on wood) but I love this pump when I had my kids this pump was out of my budget but I wish I had went on and bought it because the cheap ones…..didn’t work at all.
I know so many moms that could benefit from this. This was my brand when I had my baby.
I would love to win this for my niece, she just had a baby and is a working mother,this would help her so much
I plan on breast feeding my little one who is due in Feb. I think this system is awesome! I have a 5 and 6 year old as well so my hands are going to be full for sure! Thank you for the chance and awesome review!
I’d love to win this. It looks like a great product and easy to use.
I plan on exclusively breast feeding until my daughter is old enough to start eating my homemade baby food
My 1 piece of advice- moms on call!!! Great book and app for figuring out a great feedings and sleep schedule. I have used it for both girls and it has been a lifesaver. Best of luck with the rest of the pregnancy, delivery and motherhood. Come visit us at PB auburn during football season.
With our first, I went back to work after about 3 months of maternity leave. I did have to pump two or three times per day to keep the supply up, and nursed when I was home. Luckily I could work from home sometimes, too. I bf for 16 months and hope to have a similar experience with baby #2.