So I have started to write this blog several times and have never been able to finish it! But after reading the news item from http://pailbloggers.com/ today I thought it was a perfect time and stop delaying! The news items is an article written about breastfeeding and working and why many women quit breastfeeding when they return to work. Visit Pailbloggers for the summary and article! After reading the post, Pailbloggers asked the following questions:
If you are nursing and back to work, how is it going? Do you feel truly supported?
For me, work has been supported but I am not even a full week back. I haven't really been an inconveniece yet and I wonder how long before I am an inconvenience. However, I am an auditor and my boss understands the laws/regulations about breastfeeding so even though I may inconvenience her from time to time I do not see her saying anything as long as I am staying on top of my workload. I am salary and not hourly so I guess if I have to come into work on Saturday every now and then to keep up it wont be too bad!
Do you have adequate access to a room to pump in, is it comfortable, clean, secure?
I am pumping in our meeting room. My office is an converted old house. I am upstairs by myself in this large room. I realize I am spoiled since I am not in a damp dark closet!
Did you give up nursing because it was too hard to work and pump?
Not yet! And, I am hoping to make it past 6 months. I would like to breastfeed Ava for her first year.
Did you have access to a Lactation Consultant in the hospital? Did you have access after you left the hospital?
Yes, I do. I attend (when I can) monthly meetings that the hospital has for nursing mothers. The problem is the meeting is during the afternoons and it is hard for me to get off work for them. I am hoping to convince the ladies to have at least one night meeting a quarter for us working moms.
My questions for those experienced pumping at work mommies: I pump in privacy and would love to take my laptop to the my pumping area but I figure whats the point I am holding the pumps and do not have a spare third hand! How do you do handsfree pumping? I am using the Philips Advent pump. I like it and got it for a bargain. I just wish I could do something else while I am pumping besides just sit there watching the milk drop into the storage container.
If you are nursing and back to work, how is it going? Do you feel truly supported?
For me, work has been supported but I am not even a full week back. I haven't really been an inconveniece yet and I wonder how long before I am an inconvenience. However, I am an auditor and my boss understands the laws/regulations about breastfeeding so even though I may inconvenience her from time to time I do not see her saying anything as long as I am staying on top of my workload. I am salary and not hourly so I guess if I have to come into work on Saturday every now and then to keep up it wont be too bad!
Do you have adequate access to a room to pump in, is it comfortable, clean, secure?
I am pumping in our meeting room. My office is an converted old house. I am upstairs by myself in this large room. I realize I am spoiled since I am not in a damp dark closet!
Did you give up nursing because it was too hard to work and pump?
Not yet! And, I am hoping to make it past 6 months. I would like to breastfeed Ava for her first year.
Did you have access to a Lactation Consultant in the hospital? Did you have access after you left the hospital?
Yes, I do. I attend (when I can) monthly meetings that the hospital has for nursing mothers. The problem is the meeting is during the afternoons and it is hard for me to get off work for them. I am hoping to convince the ladies to have at least one night meeting a quarter for us working moms.
Have you ever felt ‘penalized’ in your job because you chose to pump milk for your child while at work?
No, not yet and hopefully I never will.