The following post is written by guest blogger Gretchen Penny, founder of Easy Expression Products, Inc. and inventor of the Easy Expression™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra.

Talk to any new mother - pumping breast milk can be a time-consuming labor of love. But for the busy or working mom it can be nearly impossible to fit it into the 9-to-5-workday. There are meetings to attend, emails to respond to, and papers to read. Unfortunately, too many women give up on pumping simply because it takes too much time!

As a mother myself, I know how hard this can be. In 1996, when I returned to my job at American Airlines after maternity leave, I was determined to provide breast milk for my son because of the proven health benefits. At the same time, I knew I had a job to do and was worried that the time it took me to pump would hinder my productivity. That was when I came up with the idea for the Easy Expression™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra. It allows new mothers returning to the office to keep providing immunity-boosting breast milk to their babies while continuing to be successful working moms.

Given that August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, I wanted offer three tips to help ease a new mom into what it's going to be like pumping at the office.

1. Practice Pumping. Moms returning to work should begin pumping a few weeks prior to returning to work so they can build up their milk supply and get the hang of pumping.

2. Talk to the Boss. Moms returning to work should consult with their bosses prior to their first day back and discuss what quiet and private space (with a door lock) will be a dedicated "lactating" room and what their schedule will look like.

3. Get the Right Tools. A working mom will need to have the right tools in place if she is going to find success in pumping while at work. Suggested tools include:

* A Good Pump: Working moms need a good, electronic double breast pump so they can quickly pump and return to work.
* Hands-Free Pumping Bra: Moms should get a bra that holds the breast pump shields in place so they can be working while simultaneously pumping.
* Storage Container: Moms should get a roomy cooler to discreetly store breast milk. The cooler should be stored in a fridge at work and it should include plenty of ice packs for on-the-go transporting.
* Extra Shirt: Working moms should keep an extra change of clothes at work in case breast milk gets on their work clothes.
* Pictures from Home: Moms should also bring along pictures of their babies. Experts say that looking at pictures can aid a mother with milk production and let-down.

With the help of the many tools available today, working moms can do it all - work hard, play hard and pump efficiently! Here's to all those hardworking women this month and always!