Can't pump at work. Help.

Candy - posted on 05/15/2012

Aly- employers have to provide a private place for you to pump. When I had my oldest, my employer did not have a designated area so I used the conference room. I had to shut the blinds and the door didn't lock so I backed the chair up by the door. I also put a note on the door. Reach out to your employer about how important it is to you. Can you think of any areas that would be private enough to pump?

Jessica - posted on 05/13/2012

Post a reply!by law your employer.must pro ide the time amd place for you to pp. Theres a print out your dr. Can give you. Dont let them try to bully you away from it
for show them the proof and pump away!

Renee - posted on 05/12/2012

You have the RIGHT legally to have breaks and a place to pump!!! It sems like nobody knows this, and EVERY new mommy needs to know. Its is soooo important!!! But, you do have to check how many people your job has working for them, in some states employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt. That means 50 at ALL their locations, not just the one you work at. Like, a little restaurant with 20 employees and only one location may not have to comply, but a big business like Starbucks or Applebees does. Check your laws!!!

Nicole - posted on 05/12/2012

I pumped for a year in the Burger King lobby. Since they didn't have a place that I deemed acceptable in the back, I sat in the lobby and knitted while pumping. I would never pump in a bathroom- I didn't make burgers in there so why on earth would I make lunch for my baby in there? Prior to burger king, I pumped at my other job too. It is an ordinary thing- the more you treat it as such, the more others go along with it. At first (the people at BK were the dumbest people I have ever encountered), my co-workers were complete asshats. Lucky for me, I had already been in the breastfeeding game for a year. Since I wore a tank top under my uniform, lifting my outer shirt up and putting it on top of my pump flanges created and nice hands free rig. I was the only non smoker to get a break- um winning! I insisted on pumping on the clock since smokers were allowed to go out at their whimsy. I stored my milk in the employee food bin in the refrigerator. You CAN do it. Make it happen.

A - posted on 05/12/2012

You live in Florida, right? Looks like the law there requires employers to find you a private place to pump, from what I've read. Fight for your baby! If there is no place (which I doubt- there has to be an office there!) looks like they need to build one! There it is:

Florida Senate Bill #1668, 1994 FL ALS 217; 1994 Fla. Laws ch. 217; 1994 Fla. SB 1668
Fla. Stat. . § 363.318, § 383.015, § 383.016, § 383.311, § 383.318

The portion of this bill relating to employment provided as follows:
Section 6. Access to breast feeding for public-sector employees demonstration project.
The Legislature recognizes a mother's responsibility to her job and to her child when she returns to work and acknowledges that a woman's choice to breastfeed benefits the family, society-at-large, and the employer. There is established the access to breastfeeding for public sector employees demonstration project. The demonstration project shall be conducted to determine the benefits of, potential barriers to, and potential costs of implementing worksite breast feeding support policies for public-sector employees in the state.
(1) The demonstration project is established in the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and shall be administered by the State Health Officer.
(2) The department shall develop written policies supporting breast-feeding practices for the workplace which address issues including work schedule flexibility; scheduling breaks and work patterns to provide time for milk expression; provision of accessible locations allowing privacy; access nearby to a clean, safe water source and sink for washing hands and r e Legislature, And the chairmen of the appropriate substantive committees of the Legislature by December 1995. The report must include:
(a) A description of the draft worksheet breast feeding support policies developed;
(b) A description of the implementation of the worksheet breast feeding support policies in Dade County and any problems encountered;
(c) The extent of the utilization of any breast feeding or breast pumping facilities by department employees in Dade County;
(d) A survey of the satisfaction with such breast feeding or breast pumping facilities and worksheet breast feeding support policies by users and their supervisors in Dade County;
(e) The costs and benefits associated with the demonstration project in Dade County;
(f) A summary of issues rained by the districts; and
(g) A recommendation of any policy and program changes that need to be incorporated for statewide implementation and strategies for implementing the policy in other state agencies.

Sarah - posted on 05/12/2012

When I went back to work I was happily pumping in the staff room. I had an electric pump and was able to get about 10oz a shift. I kept covered by a blanket and ate my lunch during my pumping sessions so I was only taking my allotted breaks. After 2 weeks, I was approached by my supervisor and asked not to pump in there, "it makes people uncomfortable" is what I was told. I was told I could pump in a room right off the hallway. It had a window in the door and anyone that came off the elevator could see in. My supply dropped to less than 2oz/shift after that. I stayed there another 2 weeks then left on unpaid leave. I haven't been back. The worst part? I worked on a pediatric floor at the hospital. My coworkers who were so uncomfortable were all nurses.

Emily - posted on 05/12/2012

I found it hard to pump. I just never got very much. So when my son was 5 months and I was going back to work 3-days a week, I decided he would have a bottle when he was at nursery. I had to get a relative to get him to take a bottle, because he wouldn't take it from me. So once I went back, he had the bottle and nursery and me the rest of the time. It didn't seem to bother him and he breastfed until 17 months when he stopped on his own.

Melissa - posted on 05/11/2012

Legally your job HAS to allow you a place to pump even if it is the restroom on breaks and lunches. I am a lactation consultant.

Heather - posted on 05/11/2012

YES, you can pump at work and they have to ALLOW you too, per state laws! Look it up!

Anna - posted on 05/11/2012

I pumped in the bathroom.

Emily - posted on 05/10/2012

I agree with what the others said plus get a hands free bra (or make one) and pump on your way to and from work while your driving. Then if you can only get one pumping session in during work (like during your lunch break) you won't be going more than 4 hrs without a pumping session.

Melissa - posted on 05/10/2012

I think along with providing time to pump they have to provide a space for you to pump that is not a restroom. An office, storage room? Otherwise, like the others said... in the car?

Amy - posted on 05/10/2012

There isn't a managers office where they keep the money that you can use? Otherwise I would pump in my car if I were you.

Rebekah - posted on 05/10/2012

Ah, when I worked at Starbucks I pumped in my car.

Aly - posted on 05/10/2012

I work in a restaurant so there's no place for me to pump. :/

Rebekah - posted on 05/10/2012

Why can you not pump at work? Legally, in the US, your employer has to provide you time to pump.