Life as an NHS nurse and breastfeeding/pumping mama

I’m Susannah also known as Susie. I live in Essex with my partner of 14 years and our 2 children. My son was born in June 2019 and my daughter was born in October 2020. I work as a paediatric cancer nurse in London and have done for 11 years.

When I first qualified as a nurse I spent 6 months in NICU. This is where I learnt just how beneficial breast milk is for sick and premature babies, as well as the important role breast milk donations have for families in need. I knew that I would want to breastfeed when the time came to start a family, and I also knew I’d want to donate my milk if at all possible.

When my son Jude was born, our breastfeeding journey didn’t get off to the best start. Jude had a tongue tie and therefore couldn’t latch. My nipples were cracked, bleeding and it was toe-curling painful when he fed. I had mastitis twice and a few block ducts which made me feel like I wanted to give up. However, we finally made it through thanks to support and nipple shields!

Donating my breast milk

I breastfed Jude until he was 11 months old at which point he self-weaned. I was 22 weeks pregnant at the time so no doubt my milk was changing for the new baby. I was also pumping after feeds because my nipples needed a break and so dad could feed. I was so good at it that I had an overproduction of milk. I began donating milk to the Hearts Milk Bank when Jude was just 4 months old.

I began donating milk to the Hearts Milk Bank when Jude was just 4 months old.

Fast forward to October 2020 and my second child Chloe was born. She had no problem latch as no tongue tie etc. I recommenced donating my milk in November 2020 and am still donating now.

I have developed a great friendship with the Hearts Milk Bank team so much so I was invited to their BBQ birthday last summer. We had such a lovely day with plenty of joyful tears. To this date I have donated well over 100Litres of milk and still going. Chloe is 16 months old and still loves breastfeeding. I don’t see us stopping anytime soon.

Back to work on the ward as a breastfeeding/pumping mama

In November 2021 it was time for me to head back to work on the ward. I was so anxious as I have been off since May 2019. I couldn’t go back to work due to being pregnant during the pandemic.

When I am at work I have to get up at 5.30am and then don’t get home until 9.30pm. Thankfully I am only part-time but this is still hard to do. It’s a 12.5 hour shift but a 16 hours day from the time I wake up to the time I get home.

To show my average working day I recently posted a reel to my Instagram account. I pump as soon as a get up and then twice at work and once again when I get home.

To show my average working day I recently posted a reel to my Instagram account. I pump as soon as a get-up and then twice at work and once again when I get home.

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A post shared by Susannah (@susiearter.x)

A typical day shift for me goes like this

0530 wake up
0545 coffee and pump
0630 cab pick up
0640 train to work
0745 work handover and duties start which consists of chemotherapy administration
1130-1200 first break. Pump and quick bite to eat
1500 lunch break if I can fit it in and pump after lunch
1900 quick pump (not always possible if ward is busy)
1945 handover to night team
2020 leave work
2115 home, shower and hair wash
2200 pump before bed

It’s tough but rewarding

I find it tough being away from my two babies for such a long period of time. It is a challenge being a breastfeeding/pumping mama but a challenge with a great outcome. Plus, I have helped lots of other mums on their breastfeeding and pumping journey, from friends to complete strangers.