If you pump, tell me your pumping set up!

[texmati]

My work is going through a major office space change, and my pumping room is gone *poof*.

I need to lobby for a new space as I work in an open cube.

Tell me all about your space, I need ideas!

xposted in breastfeeding.

[kirstenb]

Well, I'm probably not much help because I work in a small office and the only private place for me to pump is in the restroom. It's a private bathroom so I am able to pull in a comfy chair and lock the door. I would love another space but there is no place.

[texmati]

Is there an outlet in the bathroom, or do you have a battery?

[CallMeMommy]

I just use an empty office (I do have an office, but I share with a coworker), then haul my parts to a nearby bathroom to rinse. There have been a couple of times when it was in use when I needed it, but I was always able to find somewhere else to go. I'd say as long as it's got a chair, table/desk, outlet, and locking door, that's all you need. Keep it simple, the less you ask for the more likely they are to grant it. See if your state (assuming you're US) has a law on providing pumping spaces and use it to your advantage.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by texmati

Is there an outlet in the bathroom, or do you have a battery?

There is one in the bathroom, but it doesn't work. I have an extension cord running from the outlet outside the door.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by CallMeMommy

See if your state (assuming you're US) has a law on providing pumping spaces and use it to your advantage.

Texas does not have an laws on pumping. My work is being accomodating; kind of. They have conference room-- but no lock on the door. It's just unnerving. I am thinking even a closet would be better, without the constant threat of being walked in on.

[txbikegrrl]

Probably easier said than done but can you try not to worry about it -- and use one of those silly nursing covers if you feel too exposed while pumping so the most anyone would see is you hooked up to the machine? I had to pump in my car about once a week with DS then other times in a coworker's office with her there. I didn't mind her presence and was thankful to have someplace other than my car but she would get visitors just walking in about once a week. Honestly, after awhile I just didn't care anymore although they were all women...

[Jelinifer]

Originally Posted by texmati

Texas does not have an laws on pumping. My work is being accomodating; kind of. They have conference room-- but no lock on the door. It's just unnerving. I am thinking even a closet would be better, without the constant threat of being walked in on.

Not sure if this would help the fear of being walked-in on.... but my work has the same situation (no locks on doors) and the mammas I work with that pump sit in a chair with the back against the door so they are the doorstopper themselves.

[texmati]

glass door.

I do face a wall though, so it would just be my back flab.

I've asked repeatedly just to let me use a supply closet, but no cigar.

[Quinalla]

I'm lucky as I have a private office with no windows and a door that locks and my boss even offered to let me use one of the extra offices if I wanted to so I wouldn't have the pump set up all the time in my office, but I prefer being in my office.

But yeah, I would want a locking door, a chair, a table/desk (though this isn't necessary, I think it isn't a big deal to provide) and an outlet. Also, that the room be available for me when needed, short delays being ok.

[curiouscanadian]

I feel like I've almost done it all! It's varied for me from pumping in the car on battery power, pumping in a bathroom stall on battery, to using an incomplete bathroom with the door propped in place (open office, renos weren't finished by the time we moved in!!!), to a completed private bathroom, to a conference room with blinds but no lock, but mostly the office of whichever boss is out that day. Heck, totally OT, but I even pumped at a Six Flags amusement park one day on my 5th wedding anniversary!

My favorite was the private offices. In both they had a free plug in and I'd sit on the floor with my back to the door (or even resting against the door). I just felt weird sitting in my boss's chair at their desk. Second most comfortable was the conference room, but was more worried about people walking in on me there, even with a post-it note on the door.

I just packed things up at the end and stopped off at the washroom or kitchen to rinse/sterilize/store before the next session.

HTH!

[Michelle Renee]

Bathroom and Classroom with curtains locked.

I did however get a bigger cooler and keep everything in fridge and did NOT wash between pumpings. When I had the chance I have to pump every 2 hours because Im a low supply mamma so the washing was driving me nuts.

I also bought the medela freestyle and it was worth it. I plugged it in and charged everynight next to my cell phone. Once my classroom was locked, I could literally walk around my classroom and write notes on the board for my students while pumping.