I am very curious about this. Do you have to carry a manual pump back and forth, plus all of the supplies. I have a 2 hour commute each way into NYC- how would I do this? Advise, comments, thoughts.
NIHA
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Re: How do you pump at work?
You know that I'm not up to that point yet, but I did find out last week that my employer actually has a 'lactation room'! I really couldn't believe it considering I work for the State and we have minimum benefits, but it's the Health Dept and we promote breastfeeding, so I guess that's why they have it. I heard it has a refridgerator and women leave their pumps in the room and have scheduled times so that they don't have to share the room. I think DOH also supplies them with a Madela pump if they want to use it, but they can store their own pump in the room. I guess you do have to bring the bottles back and forth from home.
Def. check with your employer about it.
michele31
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Re: How do you pump at work?
There are 3 women at my company and only 1 women has ever had a baby while working here since 1997. I can promise you there is NO room for breast pumping. We only have 30 employees total.
Claud2001
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Re: How do you pump at work?
Michele, I can see this will be difficult for you, especially b/c there's no precedent set at your company. When you get closer to going on maternity leave, you may want to speak w/someone in HR or your boss to see if they can have a private office or some other designated spot where you can sneak away and pump w/o being too uncomfortable at work. If you are really seriously considering BFing, you should try to have this worked out before the baby is born, so that it doesn't become a huge source of stress for you after the baby is here.
Lee
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Re: How do you pump at work?
My company is fairly small and two women here have had babies and returned to work and pumped. One used her office - just locked the door and pumped, stored her milk in a cooler packed with ice (we do have ice!). My girlfriend pumps in the bathroom stall and also stores her milk in a cooler packed with ice and transfers it to an insulated carrier with ice packs to get it home. It is very discreet in the bathroom. The only problem I forsee is if you don't have, or aren't comfortable using, a manual pump. I bought a manual pump for the few weeks when I return to work and will do the same thing as my girlfriend.
Claud2001
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Re: How do you pump at work?
Lee - you are right about the manual pump - it may not work as quickly as the electric pumps. Also, I would be uncomfortable pumping in a bathroom stall just for sanitary reasons. I'd be so afraid to put anything down! JMO.
michele31
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Re: How do you pump at work?
In all honestly, I might try to breastfeed and then transition to formula when I return to work. With such a long commute, I cannot imagine having to bring pumps/supplies and milk back and forth. Plus with such a small company, there really aren't a lot of empty, private offices. I am will be the ONLY female with a child when I come back. And the only 2nd ever pregnant women working in the company so....But my boss is excited so that is a plus. He asked me today if I am getting any cravings yet.
Claud2001
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Re: How do you pump at work?
Wow - you told your boss already???
phyl
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Re: How do you pump at work?
I use the Medela pumop in style- it is the breastpump stored in a nylon looking bakpack. Honestly it looks like a regular backpack/handbag. The top opens with a zipper and in there is a lunchbag type of cooler that comes with a freezerpack..molded to the shape of the bottles that you pump into. I take it into work with me and back home everyday. I close my door and pump. Usually takes me a while though- about 30 min to doulbe pump 2 bottles and most of the time I only get 4 oz a bottle!
I have read where women eventually can pump 6 oz in like 10 min...but thats not me. I dont know why cuz Ive tried all the tricks that Ive seen on the la leche site.
The bag weighs about maybe 4 pounds. Not noticilbe to carry it back and forth at all. I take that and lug a tote bag full of stuff everyday.
The pump is electric, so I put my music on a little louder when I close my door. People just know not to knock when the door is closed. I would not do it in a bathrm- not sanitary enuf!
Teri
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Re: How do you pump at work?
Hi Michele - obviously, I don't know the specifics on BFing, but wanted to let you know that if you request, your Co. should provide a private room (other than bathroom) for you to pump.
We had a similar issue at my Co and they accomodated. I don't think it's law yet in NY but will be soon, I would imagine
