Work. Pump. Repeat.

The New Mom’s Survival Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work

By: Jessica Shortall

Narrated by: Jessica Shortall

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is a practical, relatable, and humorous guide to surviving the difficult, awkward, and rewarding job of being a breastfeeding, working mother.

Meet the frenemy of every working, breastfeeding mother: the breast pump. Many women are beyond "breast is best" and on to figuring out how to make milk while returning to demanding jobs. Work. Pump. Repeat. is the first book to give women what they need to know beyond the noise of the "Mommy Wars" and judgment on breastfeeding choices. Jessica Shortall shares the nitty-gritty basics of surviving the working world as a breastfeeding mom, offering a road map for negotiating the pumping schedule with colleagues, navigating business travel, and problem-solving when forced to pump in less-than-desirable locales.

Drawing on the war stories, hacks, and humor of working moms and on her own stories from her demanding job and travel in developing countries, she gives women moral support for dealing with the stress and guilt that come with juggling working and breastfeeding. As she tells the listener in her witty, inspiring manifesto, "Your worth as a mother is not measured in ounces."

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Jessica Shortall (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

gives hope

its a good read that takes stress out of going back to work and pumping.

Great book to read before returning to work.

Listened to this book while I was pumping. Great book to read before returning to work. Gave me lots of points on how to pump in awkward situations, what parts I needed to invest in and always have on had, and to realize that I am doing the best I can! However long we decide to pump at work, we are amazing women and it is doable!

You give me hope!

I'm a female avionics mechanic who's about to have my IUD removed so my husband and I can start working on our third child. I pumped, finished college and had a part time job when we had our first child. I pumped, finished my master's degree and had a full time job after I had our second child. But, now since I am back to working in aviation, I'm VERY nervous about how I will be able to pump when I return to work.
Your book gives me more hope! it was just nice to be reminded that I'm not alone!
Thank you!

A book that every momma needs

This book provided me with information and resources about what my own breastfeeding journey will be like. I'll be returning to work when my baby is 4 months old and I will be pumping at work. Jessica was so insightful on all the information and helpful tips to help me as I manage my journey. I'll be referring back to this book many times.

I felt connected

listening to this audio book while pumping during the wee hours made me feel so much better. Though I am not back at work yet, I feel it gave me a better sense of "what to expect" and hearing about the stories of other mothers gave me a sense of connection.

great book

Loved this book! Just went back to work and have been stressing about supply. After reading this book, I have relaxed so much and gained a lot of confident and determination.

be ashamed, hide, lie.

Not a book that details schedules to help me moms, ways to navigate HR, or even an uplifting message or two... author tells you to lie about the noise from your pump, hide or avid questions, etc. do not waste your time with this book

Must read for a working mom!

This book gave me so much confidence on going back to work after the baby is born! It answered all your questions like what to wear and how to bring up the conversation with my boss. 100% recommended!!

How to imagine everyone is judging you.

This book is full of awful advice. The author spends so much time explaining to you about how everyone will be looking at your weird pump parts, your leaking boobs, judging your pumping situation whether it’s in an office or bathroom or your car. When she should be telling you not to stress about it. Not to care if you have a male coworker who doesn’t get it. Who cares if you are carrying around a bag of freshly pumped milk? Your baby is fed. That is all that matters. This book is not funny although I think that was the intention for some lines. The author was aiming for satire and totally comes across as insecure and victimized. I get that a lot of women have less than desirable pumping situations but I was looking for ways to make the best of it and a little humor to laugh off any discomfort.

I cried sooo much (in a good way!)

this was such a blessing - to hear what I was struggling with was ok, to hear that I'm not a bad mom for the times I couldn't produce enough and had to rely on donor milk, and to hear the other struggles that women had to face to make this work. I didn't realize how hard some places and people make it for moms - and this makes me so unbelievably thankful to my work and coworkers for making this a safe place for me to provide for my daughter.

really helpful and insightful

as a mum to be I'm feeling a lot more confident after listening to this. not only with the idea of breastfeeding, but also with the idea of not being able to breastfeed. thank you