The Pivot

Posted on July 12 2021

When “Fed is Best” Enables the Whole Family to Thrive

Early feeding challenges led this mom to feel inadequate, but when she adopted a “fed is best” mentality both she and her baby started to thrive. This balanced perspective enabled her to pump on the road for four months for her second child, exceeding her own expectations.

Posted on June 18 2021

Pumping for a Preemie: Unexpected Birth at 27 Weeks

This mom of two had two very different birth and feeding experiences, from round-the-clock pumping for a preemie in the NICU, to a full-term baby who could instantly latch and feed. Heather Harinstein shares her incredible journey of strength and perseverance to emerge from a traumatic birth experience and get the mental health support she needed to enter her second birth with very clear priorities and an approach that enabled her to thrive postpartum.

Posted on May 18 2021

Jackie Loo head shot - working pumping mom

A Supportive Employer Makes a Difference for a Working, Pumping Mom

This mom struggled with supply with her first and had her second baby during Covid, yet ultimately had good experiences pumping and returning to work due in large part to having an employer deeply committed to providing the resources, flexibility, and policies needed for parents returning from infant care leave.

Posted on October 26 2020

Overcoming Early Feeding Challenges and Personal Loss

This mom struggled to maintain her sensible expectations when she experienced significant feeding challenges. She persevered to navigate those challenges during a time of personal loss, ultimately returning to work with a positive pumping experience.

Posted on October 13 2020

Orange origami sailboat - Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán

Update, Oct. 2020: Wind at Our Backs After Being Stuck in the Doldrums

It’s October 2020, seven months into the pandemic, and we'd love to share business update. The summer was a very difficult time for motivation, clarity, and spirit. The fashion industry has resumed most operations, and we're back in product development, working toward a 2021 launch.

Posted on September 28 2020

Monica Nelson head shot – pumping working mom

How Busy Teachers Pump With Zero Schedule Flexibility

Lactation experts recommend a woman pump every 2-3 hours when she’s away from her baby at work. What do you do if you’re on a teacher’s regimented schedule and that’s just not possible? This mom shares how she navigated schedule limitations to pump for all four of her children.

Posted on September 15 2020

Prohibited From Pumping: Know Your Legal Rights

When her employer removed her pumping slots from her schedule and informed her that she would have to put in extra time to make up for pumping breaks, this mom quit on the spot and sought support from her state's labor relations department.

Posted on August 26 2020

Tired mom working at home with kids in background - photo by Ketut Subiyanto

Back to School 2020: How Can We Do It Better?

For working moms, 2020 continues to be a roller coaster of challenges. We made it through the spring and summer, and now the next season is upon us: back to school, though this will be far from a normal school year.

Posted on August 07 2020

Michelle Rueda-Roberti head shot – pumping working mom

Choosing to Parent Full Time

This attorney navigated two maternity leaves with different employers, returned to work and won cases for her clients, and then made the tough decision to leave her job to be at home full time.

Posted on May 28 2020

Sewing supplies - scissors, thread in different colors

Behind the Scenes at Fulcrum Apparel: A Business Update

We’ve been getting many questions recently with folks wondering what’s going on at Fulcrum, when are we launching, and when can people make a purchase?

Posted on May 19 2020

Erin Resch: head shot of pumping working mom

How Do Regional Attitudes Affect Pumping Accommodations?

This mom was one of the first woman in a management role to have a baby at her company. Learn how her pumping experience was positively impacted by California’s more progressive attitudes and policies regarding working moms.

Posted on April 07 2020

Woman looking through rose-tinted glasses, Photo by picjumbo_com--2130229

How Can We Find Opportunity in This New Normal?

It's day 27 of being at home, navigating this time of COVID-19, and like many working moms I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’m going to get through this season.

Posted on March 27 2020

On the Road: Pumping in the Consulting Industry

What’s it like to be a pumping mom in the consulting industry? This exclusive pumper shares how she navigated being on the road away from her baby each week and pumping at client sites.

Posted on February 28 2020

Tara Thomas head shot - pumping working mom

Optimize Pumping from a Home Office

This mom shows us what kind of early return to work and lactation arrangements should be available for all women, complete with partner parental leave and a focus on prioritizing sleep for your sanity.

Posted on February 14 2020

Eleanor Kirtley head shot - pumping working mom

Mastering the Art of Travel Pumping

This mom shares how supported she felt working for a Canadian-headquartered company, and how her PhD in space optimization helped her become a travel-pumping ninja.

Posted on February 07 2020

Alexis Kirkland head shot - pumping working mom

Business owner and mom of 5 sets expectations to focus on what really matters

She’s nursed 5 kids, including a set of twins. This physician and business owner thrives by adjusting her expectations and focusing on what matters most to her.

Posted on February 03 2020

Bess Dopkeen head shot - pumping working mom

Pumping is so hard. Is it worth it?

She switched jobs coming back from maternity leave and spent six months pumping while running a major study for Congress. Though she describes it as a dark time in her life, she pumped until the one-year mark and says it was all totally worth it.

Posted on January 31 2020

Stories of real women returning to work and pumping

We're featuring inspirational portraits of working moms who have navigated the challenge of breastfeeding through their return to work and pumping milk at the office. Real women, real experiences, and real photos.