CLIENT INTERVIEW: Lauren’s Journey from Overwhelm to Control

Lauren, a busy working mom of two, went through a complete transformation in her pumping journey—from isolation and stress to a newfound sense of control and peace. Lauren’s experience highlights the realities of pumping for working moms, the unexpected mental load, and the impact that community support can have. Let’s dive into her story!

(This post was originally a video. Check it out, below! Or if you prefer podcast format, click here!)

First Time Around: The Struggles of a New Pumping Mom

When Lauren had her first child, she expected breastfeeding to go smoothly. “I just thought, oh, I’ll breastfeed, and that’ll be it,” she recalls. But things didn’t go as planned. In the hospital, her baby couldn’t latch, and the lactation consultants couldn’t offer much help besides saying, “Has your anatomy always been this way?” Without a clear answer, Lauren left the hospital feeling like she was failing before she’d even started.

To make things harder, she was using a traditional plug-in pump, which kept her tethered to a single room. “Every time I had to pump, I would leave the room, leave my family, leave my baby… it was really mentally and emotionally draining,” Lauren says. This cycle continued for the first seven weeks, leading to daily tears and a sense of isolation.

Enter the Wearable Pump…But Not the Solution

Desperate to make things easier, Lauren invested in a wearable pump, convinced it would solve her problems. “I thought if I get this wearable pump, I can move around the house… hold the baby at the same time—it’s going to be great.” But she soon discovered its limitations.

“If I moved any sort of direction more, I was leaking,” she explains. “It was very, very stressful.” She began to feel the burden of balancing pumping with work and home responsibilities, all while trying to manage an unpredictable pump.

A New Approach with Baby #2

When Lauren got pregnant with her second child, she knew she couldn’t go through the same experience again. She prepared differently this time, researching pumping methods and tools.

“I came across your channel and started learning so much,” she shared. “The way you talked about it—it wasn’t, ‘This is the answer!’ but more like, ‘It depends on your situation.’ That approach just made so much sense.”

Lauren joined our program before returning to work, feeling an immediate sense of relief. “I hadn’t even done anything yet, just joining, and I felt my shoulders drop,” she remembers. She was hopeful, especially after experiencing how tailored support could be.

Realizing the Power of Community and Mental Health

One of the biggest surprises for Lauren was the support from other moms in the program.

“I had no idea how much the community of other moms would help,” she says. “Hearing other people’s stories, their questions, and realizing everyone’s experience was different—that was huge for me.”

Lauren emphasizes how much her mental and emotional health has impacted her pumping journey this time around. “I didn’t realize how much of a difference it makes,” she explains. “Now I feel like I can make it to my goal. I feel hopeful, and I feel like I won’t crash and burn.” She acknowledges how essential it’s been to have a space that supports her emotionally, not just with the logistics of pumping.

Taking Control of Her Experience

Through our program, Lauren worked on getting the right flange size, managing her oversupply, and adjusting her pumping routine to fit her work life. These changes helped her become more efficient and less stressed. “I remember when we looked at my schedule and decided it was okay for me to drop a pumping session at work. That was a huge mental relief for me,” she recalls. “Being able to pump just twice at work gave me so much more time and brain space.”

The biggest difference in Lauren’s second journey is her sense of control. “This time, I just feel at peace. I know I can choose when I want to stop, and I know that I’m in control of this experience,” she shares. “If I decide to stop earlier than a year, I know it’ll be my choice, not because I’m crashing and burning.”

Lauren’s Advice to New Moms

As Lauren puts it, paying attention to mental and emotional health is just as important as managing milk supply. “If you’re nervous or overwhelmed, get help,” she encourages. “And ask for help as early as possible.” For Lauren, the support she found in a community that understands her experience was invaluable.

Final Thoughts

Lauren’s story is a powerful reminder that pumping is not just about producing milk—it’s about the well-being of the whole mom. “Our kids need us—not just milk,” Lauren says, and that perspective is what makes all the difference.

“This time, I just feel at peace. I know I can choose when I want to stop, and I know that I’m in control of this experience. If I decide to stop earlier than a year, I know it’ll be my choice, not because I’m crashing and burning. It’s a huge difference to feel that whatever my goals are, wherever I’m at, that’s where we’re meeting me. That’s so helpful. I feel like I can do this.”

It’s a joy to watch her journey and know that she now has the tools and confidence to make decisions that suit her and her family.

If Lauren’s story resonates with you, and you’re looking for support to balance work, pumping, and mental well-being, consider joining us! Let’s make sure you feel as empowered and in control of your pumping journey as Lauren does. 💪