Pumping in a not so private environment... - Page 2

[tccandlsccmom]

Sounds tough!  I was lucky to have a private office....I got into a routine and could work on the computer while pumping. However, I did have colleagues who came in...and eventually I just got used to it.

[One_Girl]

Here is a link for the labor law regarding pumping:

http://webapps.dol.gov/federalregister/HtmlDisplay.aspx?DocId=24540&AgencyId=14&DocumentType=3

Here is a fact sheet you can give your employer:

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs73.htm

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by UrbanMamma 

You can ask for student lobbying, but my experience FWIW (as a grad student w/ a weird student AND employee relationship with a university) is that maternal rights (leaves and breastfeeding) are easier to fight as a full time employee due to the legal protections of employees - at least at a large public university.  Students have no legal rights... but you, as an employee do.  Know those rights and ask HR who is assigned to deal with maternity issues.  Even if the letter of the law is being met (there is a lactation room across the campus), arguing based upon the spirit of the law and facts (I've walked to that room from my office and it takes 10 minutes; that means I have an additional 20 minutes per session and 60 minutes per day I could be working for you) as an employee is generally more successful. 

I will probably be a student AND employee also (though my classes will be evenings/weekends and probably at a different campus). I work at a private catholic university with about 1500 undergrad students...not sure if type/size has a lot to do with pumping lol..but thats the stats.

I like the argument of my time "lost" having to go across campus...great way to make my stand and get what I want too.

One_Girl- Thanks for the links...I had seen a news story on this but it was a state law...pretty cool this applies to me.

[cameragirl]

State law may be more specific. Btw - it really helped make my case when I showed my employer statistics about how moms that breastfeed miss less days because their children suffer from less childhood illnesses like ear infections.

[Imakcerka]

Well if you're stuck for now in your office, put up a sign.  I'm pumping, walk through if you must but don't oggle.  

[BlueLeaf]

If your current office is really your only option, then my suggestion is to simply embrace it. Put up curtains, pump, and if anyone says anything about the noise you can be matter of fact about it. If you don't act embarrassed or try to minimize what you're doing, I think (depending on your office-culture) others will take your pumping as a matter of fact and not make a big deal about it. I was lucky enough to have a private office when I pumped. But sometimes I'd answer the phone and someone would ask what "that noise" was, and I'd simply say "I'm pumping breastmilk" and leave it at that. Or if someone knocked on my door and I didn't answer, afterwards I'd just say "sorry about that, I was pumping." There were jokes and one or two slightly uncomfortable moments, but overall it worked great and I pumped for 9 months.

[cameragirl]

I was surprised by how many coworkers could care less that I was pumping and would carry on a conversation with me. Especially the men! I expected the men that were parents to be a little more comfortable with it, but even younger guys acted like it was nothing. I also discovered that putting a bottle or bag of breast milk in or near your lunch pretty much guarantees that nobody will steal it from the office fridge.

Btw - if you need to take calls for whatever reason, noise cancelling headsets will block out the whooshing noise of the pump.

[LilMomma83]

That's a good point about embracing and being straight up about it...I guess I never had to do that because in my old job I was already so tight with everyone they outright asked me if I was going to pump and breastfeed and if I was going to use the same room as the other lady had used, and I said I was...there was good natured joking and comments...but really nothing uncomfortable - I remember being embarressed washing my pump parts in the break room sink while and elder male custodian was in there and with his broken english and heavy russian accent he asked if I was cleaning breast pump parts and said how he hoped I would breastfeed for a year...

The good thing is that if nothing else the man who's office is adjecent to mine has 3 kids (I doubt his wife breastfeeds though I could be surprised) but he does at least understand family - and he truly puts it before everything. The young preist that comes through might be a little wierded out lol - but as mentioned above...maybe he won't!

I'm usually kinda quiet about breastfeeding...but, I have my mind made up I am doing everything feasible short of quitting my job to make breastfeeding work...I was so sad when it didn't work with DS2 and I do not want to go through that again...and I'm hoping not to even have to suppliment because we had a HORRIBLE experience with formula when DS2 was 11mos and the formula company lied to us and the whole thing was just discusting and nearly sent my child to the hospital - so I am really wanting to avoid formula this time.

[porcelina]

I see someone posted the law, sorry to not get back sooner! I just wanted to wish you good luck!!!!!

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by porcelina 

I see someone posted the law, sorry to not get back sooner! I just wanted to wish you good luck!!!!!

Thank you!!!!!!

[JudiAU]

Depending on the laws of your state, I think there is a better solution. What state are you in? If your state has minimal protections than I think you should ask for accomodation. It might not work out but I think pumping in the situation you describe sounds awful.

Are there are other offices you could move to with a working lock?

Can you move the first aid supplies to another location to reduce visits?

Can you switch offices to the interior office temporarily until you are done pumping?

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by JudiAU 

Depending on the laws of your state, I think there is a better solution. What state are you in? If your state has minimal protections than I think you should ask for accomodation. It might not work out but I think pumping in the situation you describe sounds awful.

Are there are other offices you could move to with a working lock?

Can you move the first aid supplies to another location to reduce visits?

Can you switch offices to the interior office temporarily until you are done pumping?

I live/work in Maryland.

My office locks - I just don't think I can lock it for liability reasons (plus my office buddy would probably be mildy preterbed). All the offices in the building are sharer or have to be walked through except for the one behind me and the directors (which there is no way she would give up lol its as big as my living room), i doubt my counterpart would give his up either. I have wondered if he might let me use it sometimes at least though...maybe I will jsut ask him.

[saimeiyu]

The more normal you act like pumping is, the easier it is for everyone around you to accept it. 

Really, If you act like pumping is a foregone conclusion, and make your mind up to do it, you will eventually get used to doing it in a place where other people can hear you.  It might be awkward the first few times, but you can get used to anything, and so can everyone else. 

If you're concerned about noise, you could try turning on a radio or something  to "mask" the noise for the comfort of others, but really, this is about your comfort, and your baby's needs.  So what if other people know you are pumping?  You may actually help someone else come to terms with it, you never know.  It's hard to pump, and a lot of moms never manage.  But just by trying, you are doing yourself, and your co-workers and boss a favor.  Act like it.  Fake it till you make it if you must.  :)

Good luck!

[erigeron]

I was going to suggest playing music if it is the noise thing that is really throwing you. Obviously this is easier said than done, but try your best to cultivate a mentality of "This is what I am going to do because it is the right thing for my kid and me, and everybody at work is just going to have to deal with it". My pumping situation is not ideal either, because I have a fast-paced job, when I leave my workstation problems can pile up fast, I'm the only one who can fix them, and there's the potential of people getting ticked off about it. I really stressed out about pumping at work for a while there, but finally decided I am not going to let my job dictate how I feed my child, and if they won't staff in such a way as to alleviate this problem, then everybody is just going to have to deal for the 15-20 minutes or so I am gone.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by erigeron 

I was going to suggest playing music if it is the noise thing that is really throwing you. Obviously this is easier said than done, but try your best to cultivate a mentality of "This is what I am going to do because it is the right thing for my kid and me, and everybody at work is just going to have to deal with it". My pumping situation is not ideal either, because I have a fast-paced job, when I leave my workstation problems can pile up fast, I'm the only one who can fix them, and there's the potential of people getting ticked off about it. I really stressed out about pumping at work for a while there, but finally decided I am not going to let my job dictate how I feed my child, and if they won't staff in such a way as to alleviate this problem, then everybody is just going to have to deal for the 15-20 minutes or so I am gone.

Headphones can be a great thing. I got a pair of noise cancelling headphones and turned up the music when I had to share the office to pump.