Now I get why most women wean before they go back to work!

[minkajane]

DD is 4.5m and I've been working for 2.5m. It's been a nightmare to make sure DD has enough milk. My shifts are usually 4-5 hours, but I live half an hour away, so I end up being away from her for 5-6 hours at a time. I don't get to pump during this time because I rarely get a break since we're so understaffed if I took a break I'd basically be leaving my coworker to run the whole store alone. I try to pump on one side while nursing on the other when I get home, but sometimes she's freaking out when I get home and I'm not able to take the time to set up the pump before I have to feed her. Right now there is zero milk in my freezer.

On the 19th, I start a new job, which will be 8 hours long, also half an hour away, so 9 hours away from DD. When I asked about pumping, I was told to do it in the bathroom. I refused, especially since I'll be forced to eat my dinner while pumping and obviously I'm not doing that in the bathroom. So I was told that there's a room I can go to, but I'll have to go across the building, ask the security guard to let me in, pump, and get back within 30 minutes. I'm assuming I'll get one or two 15-minute breaks on top of that and I plan to get a single-electric battery-powered pump and pump in the bathroom during those so I can at least get something more. I'd do it at my desk in a heartbeat, but it's a call center and my pump's noise would interfere with the calls.

If I wasn't so set on breastmilk, I would have weaned a long time ago! Pumping is all but impossible in a retail job and at many other jobs, it's so difficult it might as well be impossible!

[mzpuff]

I totally understand what you mean and can completely relate. My situation was similar except my commute to work was less..I was working full time though. It got to the point where my supply suffered immensly and I tried everything to get it up. but I couldn't keep up enough milk for her.. so I had to start giving her formula, I hated to do it.. but she must eat. and we will do what we have to do. and sadly, my financial situation does not allow me to be a SAHM. Just do what you can mama and don't beat yourself up too much for it.

[cameragirl]

Can you get a noise-cancelling headset? I was able to get one and still take calls, because the microphone filtered out the background noise. It wasn't that much more than a regular headset, so my employer had no issues with ordering one for me. Another option is pumping in the car. It isn't the best, but it works if you need to get in an extra session and don't have the time.

[minkajane]

I don't know about a noise-cancelling headset, but I don't think I'd be allowed to pump at my desk anyway. They're not really separated into true cubicles, they're basically a long table with partitions between them, so the people on either side of me would hear the pump too and it would be distracting. Also, the first 7-8 weeks are training in a classroom, so not even that between the phones. It's all open.

I thought about pumping hands-free while driving home, but I think it would get in the way of my driving. I'm trying to get some donor milk for her. I'm just hoping to be able to get by until the first of November, when we can start supplementing with solids.

[Megan73]

It's far from ideal but I bought a DOUBLE electric pump (Medela PIS) and pumped in the bathroom. It uses batteries but there's an outlet in one stall of the public bathroom I used and the tote-style pump case hangs on the hook on the back of the door. It made pumping pretty fast - 15 minutes.

[Leav97]

I've done the pumping in bathrooms well traveling for work.  It's not ideal but, it does work.

[minkajane]

Originally Posted by Megan73 

It's far from ideal but I bought a DOUBLE electric pump (Medela PIS) and pumped in the bathroom. It uses batteries but there's an outlet in one stall of the public bathroom I used and the tote-style pump case hangs on the hook on the back of the door. It made pumping pretty fast - 15 minutes.

I do have a double-electric, but with only a 15-minute break, I'd be spending the whole time getting the thing out and putting it away. I plan to use it on my 30-minute break. For the 15, I'm going to use the single battery-powered one so I can just grab it and go. It's better than not pumping at all.

[woodsymom]

Once you get used to pumping while commuting, it's not bad. I've got a 45 min. commute and I pump both on the morning and evening commutes. Plus I pump in my car on my 30 min. lunch. Could you do something like that? It's not ideal, I know. I've been doing this for over a year - but you do find the good parts about it! While I pump on my lunch break in my car, I can read or listen to music - usually it's the only quiet (me) time I get all day. Hope you figure it out - I know it's not easy. Great job, so far mama!!

[flightgoddess]

What state do you live in? Some states have more accomodating laws that others, and HR may not always know about them (especially if they are men!) so go armed with info and advocate for yourself. You may have to add more time on to your day to take unpaid pumping breaks, but it caon't hurt to consider it. Also, how about other breaks? (ie smoke breaks??) If the law is to allow a 10-15 min break every 4 hours, in addition to the lunch break, you could combine that time for a pumping break.

[flightgoddess]

Oh, and if your state has one of the better laws, then pumping in a bathroom stall should not be allowed until last resort.

[cameragirl]

Another thing that saves time is using the Medela pump wipes. You could throw the parts in the cooler bag and be fine with cleaning after work, but if you want, the wipes make it easy to clean things up.