FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I plan on returning to work after 8 weeks off.

The thought of pumping during the day gives me anxiety. My company does not have a designated pumping area although Im sure I can sneak in a small conference room for a bit but even that makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Im almost to the point of thinking about supplementing with formula during the day so I dont have to worry about this but even then, dont you get engorged?

I would obviously prefer to EBF but it just seems so overwhelming once you go back to work.

How do you do it?

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I pump in the nurses' office.

If you have to pump in a conference room, place your chair so that it blocks the door and keep your back to the door and always cover yourself with a shawl.

It can be done, so many women on here have done it!

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I used an empty office (with no lock!) and it was weird the first day, but I got used to it pretty fast. I pumped 3x/day for a while and it got quicker and quicker each time to get what I needed and get out of there.

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I remember having a lot of anxiety about this too when going back. It is not easy, but you get used to it and you make it work.

I have an office that I share with only one other female and she had no problem with me pumping in here. I think if you supplement with formula, your supply will start to decrease very quickly. I am not sure how long you planned on nursing for?

Good luck to you!!!

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

Speak to HR ... I thought (depending on the size of the company) they are required to designate a space for you.


When I was pumping and in the NYC office, I was given an empty office then a storage room to use. When I was in the LI office, I was given the key to the medical office in the onsite gym.

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I am no help I have my own office so I will pump in there. But I am pretty sure they are required by law to designate a spot for you.

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

Thanks ladies!

I really do want this to work out I just wish I could control my anxiety about it.

I remember once woman pumping out in her car last year. There is no privacy in your car!

Im pretty sure they will allow me to go into a small conference room if need be but its a mans world around here and when they were told (not by me) that they needed to provide a place to BF, they did not go down without a fight. I hope its something I can just get used to.

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

It is your legal right to pump milk at work!
NYS Labor Law Sec. 206-c requires that your employer give you a private place to pump (which is not the bathroom) and reasonable unpaid break time, or the use of paid break/meal time to do so.
The Health Care reform act has similar requirements.

There is no employer size requirement.

Here is the NYS DOL website which can give you more info: http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/pdfs/guidelinesexpressionofbreastmilkfinal.pdf

Good Luck! I am sure if you talk to HR or your office manager, they will be accommodating. FM me if you have any questions.

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

Posted by RocPin

Posted by anskiv

It is your legal right to pump milk at work!
NYS Labor Law Sec. 206-c requires that your employer give you a private place to pump (which is not the bathroom) and reasonable unpaid break time, or the use of paid break/meal time to do so.
The Health Care reform act has similar requirements.

There is no employer size requirement.

Here is the NYS DOL website which can give you more info: http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/pdfs/guidelinesexpressionofbreastmilkfinal.pdf

Good Luck! I am sure if you talk to HR or your office manager, they will be accommodating. FM me if you have any questions.

I live in VA but I think the law is the same.

Thank you!

Re: FTWM - If you breastfeed, where do you pump during the day?

I'd pump in my own office (a 4x2 plot-LOL) i'd sit RightBehindTheDoor, because even though id put up a black square over the window, people would inevitably knock, and some shmoofuses would even turn the knob. so i literally sat in front of the door.

Im laughing- when i'd have to attend meetings in other places, id always ask the security guard about a room that i could use etc... i once pumped in the gym teacher's bathroom. i sat on the toilet, pushed the narrow table that had their shampoos etc on it right at the door, and i sat on the toilet, with my foot holding the shower tower in place so that in case someone opened the door, theyw ouldnt be able to get through. all while holding the pump pieces, maybe attemtping scrabble on my phone, and trying not to fall into the toilet

LOLOL

i cant wait for the day my little guy tells me im a bad mom!

Message edited 6/28/2011 5:58:10 PM.