help! getting a new job after baby...

[leosmommy]

Okay, so here's my problem...I just had a baby in the beginning of May. DS is healthy and beautiful and in the words of our doctor..."he's thriving! keep feeding him all that breastmilk! as good as your milk supply is, you'll be able to go his first year on that alone!" And now I'm interested in going back to work. I didn't want to initially (I start school for my RN clinicals in the fall) and was going to stay home all summer with DS, but I feel bad for DH, who has been working two jobs since 2 weeks postpartum to keep up with our finances. I only want to go back to work part-time, maybe 20 to 25 hours a week in the mornings (DH works evenings as a chef at his FT job). Before I had DS (I worked past my due date, I went 11 days late) I worked at BabiesRUs. Made okay money (I don't really have any skills), and they were always very flexible with hours and days off, and I know they are 100% supportive of BFing and pumping. Problem is, BRU is 20 miles away and gas is crazy expensive. So keep in mind that I do have a backup plan...just go back to work at BRU. However, I tend to overanalyze and hence why I'm posting and want advice. I would like to get a job that's closer to home (such as Turkey Hill/convenience store, McDonald's, grocery store, Dollar General...all of which are within 2 miles of our house) to save gas money and to waste less time in my commute. ACTUAL QUESTION: I do plan on BFing DS as long as he wants it, therefore I shall have to pump at work. Must I tell a prospective employer of my plans to pump? What do they legally have to provide me with (if anything, like breaks, a room, privacy, etc.) when I am hired and need to pump? Should I tell them this or just keep it a secret until I'm hired? Could I be fired for needing to pump? Here's some background info for those who may need any questions answered...DS will be with DH during the day when I'm at work (and eventually at school) so no childcare costs will be incurred. DS has already had a few bottles (Dr. Brown's glass) and does just fine. I have a pump that I use and love (Lansinoh's BPA free double electric). We have two cars, the newer, safer car (32 mpg) that stays home with the baby and whoever cares for him, and the older, cheaper, more economical on gas car (38 mpg) that the working spouse drives to work/school (DS never goes in this car). I don't see any other ways we can cut corners to save money to allow us to live off just DH's FT job. We live with DH's parents to save $$, and still have tuition to pay and books to buy. We shop very frugally and have considered selling one car for cash but we need both. So other than forcing my DH to keep working all the time (which he is willing to do, but I feel bad because he's always tired and always gone and barely ever sees DS) or going back to work at BabiesRUS (which is still an option, but remember, it's so very far away)...what should I do? Oh, and I looked into WAH but don't really see anything I could do to make decent $$. All suggestions are welcome... thanks!

[SwanMom]

Just wanted to say that you don't need to tell anyone you're pumping. If they ask, fine, but I would just do it and not mind anyone else. I've been pumping for 10 months and I don't think my boss knows or cares. (close co-workers do know)

It also depends on what state you're in. If you're somewhere where you have legal rights to a good place to pump, etc., then take advantage of it!

[_betsy_]

Looks like you're in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania
Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 35 § 636.1 et seq. (2007) allows mothers to breastfeed in public without penalty. Breastfeeding may not be considered a nuisance, obscenity or indecent exposure under this law. (SB34)

From LLL:
http://www.llli.org/Law/LawEmployment.html

Kellymom.com may have some helpful info:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/b...s-pumping.html

[kimbersdawnly]

We're in a pretty similar situation, except my nursling is 13 months old. Hubby's been doing the two job thing since I was 6 months prego and too sick to keep my very physical job. I am in college too and taking the summer off with the kids. We barely make it on his two jobs, and I really hate to see him working all the time, but at the same time he is willing, and we both know that this time with a little one is so short, and breastfeeding so important (she's our second child) that we've just agreed that where I need to be is at home. To help out with grocery money I started sewing and selling baby things. Instead of working I devote my time to making our money stretch by not using any convenience products and making and mending as much of our clothing as possible and walking everywhere that I can, like for trips to the grocery store.

I went back and forth a lot with my guilt over hubby working like crazy with our first child too. I felt idle because I wasn't "out there helping ." But I do most of the work caring for our children, and even though I can't put a price tag on that contribution the way I can with a paying job, in the grand scheme of things I think my job at home is much more valuable. I guess all I'm saying is that it's easy to fall into the trap of minimizing and devaluing motherhood as one's profession - but it really is that important, and that valuable. So take time to consider that before you jump right out there into the world of hourly wages, and make sure you know how your hubby feels about it. Mine is actually happier when I'm not working or in school, because then the time he does have off is just time off with us, no stress. When I have other obligations, he has to go from work to parenting alone and back again and it actually wears on him more. Even though he's a great, involved Dad he doesn't have breasts and he doesn't spend all day with the kids, which means I still have an easier time calming them and such than he does.

Anyway, just food for thought. Whatever you end up doing - Good Luck! And kudos for being so committed to breastfeeding!

[Rev1053]

I personally wouldn't mention any pumping thing untill the first day of work. If your pumping for a new born your going to have to pump often every three hours or so. So I would look for a job that may accomidate that your pumping needs.
I do want to mention that my DH doesn't care for me working either. I have to agree with kimbersdawnly in that sense. I quit my full time job and now I work very part time. Some days DH will ask me how long I want to do this as its a pain in his butt for me to work. Bottles are hard. The stress of taking care of both kids who just want mommy. Its more work than the little $$ I bring in. DH says he can work 2 hours of overtime to bring home the money I do. But I keep thinking ... That's not the point.
I guess what I am trying to say is good luck!

[mamajake]

PA has no legal protection for workplace pumping. Also no state law requirement that employees receive breaks for any reason. This is all up to the individual employer.

[annekka]

Well it was awhile ago but I got a new job when DS was 9 wks old. I had been laid off my previous job DURING by maternity leave, and since DH was a full-time student at the time I really needed to get at least a part-time job to supplement our student loan money. I was very committed to breastfeeding and pumped at work until DS was about 14 months. So my advice...

You don't need to mention anything about your family status including pumping needs until you accept a position. You can ask about break time policies without getting into specifics on how you will choose to spend your break time. Then when you start the job and bring up pumping, be very matter-of-fact, not like you're asking permission or asking for some great favor from them. I said something like "By the way I have a nursing baby at home so I will need a private, sanitary place to express milk during my break time. Where would be the best place to do this?" If you don't act like you're expecting it to be a problem it probably won't be, and if it is there's good information out there you can share with your employer to help get the support you need. I had a lot of support from my supervisor though there was a couple of incidents with rude co-workers complaining; sometimes you gotta have a think skin.

My worksite at the time was very close to my home and I have to say it was extremely helpful. If you can get a position closer to home, and DH can bring the baby over to you for a nursing session or two if needed, it makes it all the easier, plus your commute time won't keep you away from you babe. If you do end up having a long drive I'd recommend a car adapter for the pump, in case you need to pump before you can make it home. This came in handy for me during some business travel trips.

And best of luck to you!

[SuzyLee]

I would just ask about break time when interviewing. Worst care scenario, you run out to your car and pump with a battery pack, and keep a cooler with ice packs to keep your pump parts cool between pumpings (to avoid having to wash them).

Good luck.

If you are still interested in WAH stuff, you could try starting a dog walking business. I always thought that would be a pretty easy thing to do if you live ina an affluent enough area.