Work. Pump. Repeat.

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.

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!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Just what I needed to hear!

What a wonderful book on the working mom and breastfeeding. With humor and reality, this book walks through the physical and emotional things that mothers returning to work deal with. It was just what I needed to hear!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wanted to love it

I really wanted to love this book. I thought it was just okay. It may have been more useful before I started nursing and pumping, but since I was already a month in, I felt like most chapters were repetitive, common sense, how-tos about pumping in different environments, or how to prep your boss, HR and co-workers. Even as a first time mom, this kind of stuff is somewhat obvious and most was covered by friends or by blogs I skimmed the first couple weeks of pumping. I did appreciate the chapters on work trips and weaning, but I think in general, there's a bit of over-explaining (like how to find allies, communicate your need to pump, or how to find a place to pump) as if all women are super nervous, or feel like they're walking on eggshells at work. It does emphasize that we're all different, and offer honest support for all types of pumping, formula feeding or breastfeeding moms and is fairly encouraging (mostly in the first section), but I don't think I needed the entire book.

Loved it

Realistic, informative, encouraging... all with the perfect sense of humor. By far one of my favorite baby prep books.

Useful

A lot of useful information but I felt the scenarios described were significantly more negative than what I’ve experienced while pumping at work. Maybe I’m just the anomaly but I’d hate for it to scare anyone from trying.

Such an encouraging book

Heading back to work in a couple weeks and so appreciated the encouragement this book provided, in addition to great tips for navigating pumping (not limited to just pumping at work). Only downside of listening to this book as opposed to having it in print is that it will be a little harder to go back and reference certain parts, but I plan to cross-check against the book’s online resources. I’ve been recommending this book nonstop since I finished it.

Hey mama...this is for you!

Fun and witty book! I laughed, I cried, I felt a sense of belonging. Every nursing/pumping mama should read.

Fantastic real life advice!

As a breastfeeding mother, I was never given such practical and real life advice. Jessica, you are a saving grace!

Thank you! What a wonderful guide book.

I was freaking out before going back to work. This book really gave me the first hand advice as well as support from a successful working mom who is proving the best for her babies. US society does not offer enough support for working moms and we all try our best to care for our babies. Applause to all the working moms out there!

Must Read!

If you’re a working/pumping/breastfeeding mom you NEED this book! So good! Full of useful information and support!