Rent/buy a breast pump for home use (the Medela Lactina is the pump model available in the Duke Lactation rooms, and the attachments for it are sold in the Bouncing Ball gift shop at Duke North). Space is available in the lactation rooms if you choose to bring your own portable pump. Some women find it helpful to bring their own pump the first day.

Buy milk storage, cooling, and bottle-feeding equipment (silicone nipples are recommended for easy cleaning).

Begin using your pump before your return to work (best if begun between 3rd-5th weeks after breastfeeding starts). This will help you get used to the breast-pumping process, as well as to set up a milk supply in advance.

Start your baby on some breast milk bottle-feedings to help make sure that he or she will not refuse the bottle when you return to work.

Plan how breast-pumping will fit into your work schedule. This should fit as closely as possible to your baby's usual feeding times. You should plan on at least 20 minutes for each pumping session, not including set-up and clean-up.

If you do not have a private space to pump, set up access to one of the Duke lactation rooms. Contact Staff & Family Programs at 684-9040.

Determine how you will refrigerate and transport your expressed milk.

Rehearse your routine before your actual work return date. Consider planning a day there in advance for a walk-through session.