Q:I'm going back to work after six weeks. I plan to nurse and will be pumping at work. What am I getting myself into? I've never even seen a pump, and I don't even know how long it takes to pump. My workday is so busy now, I barely have time to pee. How's this going to work?

A: It's absolutely possible to nurse your baby and pump during the day at work. The keys are knowing that you'll have to be flexible and accepting that you may occasionally need to supplement with formula.

I also went back to work after six weeks. With my first baby, I was very set on only giving breast milk, but I felt so overwhelmed by this obligation that I ended up weaning after six months. By the time I had my third baby- while I was in residency, no less- I was a little more relaxed and felt comfortable giving formula every once in a while. I nursed her the longest... 11 months!

It takes 20 to 30 minutes to pump. This includes set-up and breakdown of your pump, storing the milk, etc. Depending on what you do for a living, it can be difficult to pump three times a day while you're at work. I recommend pumping just before you leave the house, once mid-morning, and another time mid-afternoon. Accommodate these breaks by adjusting your work schedule, but don't skip lunch because that will just decrease your milk production. A successful nursing mom needs plenty of nutrition and rest. In fact, you need to eat more while nursing than you did while pregnant!

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Our experts:

Jill Wodnick, M.A., (jillwodnick.com) is a certified doula, prenatal instructor, and owner of Montclair Maternity, a New Jersey childbirth-education center.

Stephen H. Weiss, M.D., is an assistant professor in the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Lisa Dana, M.D., is a pediatrician at Golden Gate Pediatrics in San Francisco and a clinical faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco.

The advice provided in these columns is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions.