Member Questions

When I returned from maternity leave, I was given free reign to create a place for nursing mothers to pump (there are some perks to working in HR). I created a soothing space with gliders and a refrigerator far removed from the hustle and bustle of the office.

However, I only pumped for eight weeks before throwing in the towel and quitting my job altogether to stay home with my daughter. It was just too much of a hassle for me to pump and I had the option of quitting so I did.

I go back to work this week, and I plan on pumping in my office. I'm looking forward to it, as I don't plan on answering phone calls or responding to emails. This will be my quiet time!

I pumped for 1 year. I then began to cut back on day feeding so he was eating during the times I was working. I had an office where I could pump but I needed my work to make accomodations so that I could wash the pumping utensils, I had to explain why I needed a certain room, and although it was embarassing for them after I told them " I need to wash my breast shields after each pumping" they gave me the key immediately. So hopefully your work environment is supportive of breastfeeding.

When my son was 3 months old I went back to work half-time. I pumped once or twice a day during this period. When he was 6 months old, I resumed full time work. Since he was now eating solid foods, I still only pumped a couple times a day. After I few more months I quit pumping and by 12 months he weaned himself. There was no place to pump -- I had to use a stall in the bathroom. I didn't really "pump" though, because I could never get a pump to work. I expressed the milk by hand. It was slow, but I didn't need electricity.
When my daughter was born several years later I signed her up for a day care center a block from my office. I arranged to work 3/4 time for 6 months, starting when she was 3 months old. I would nurse her before dropping her off in the morning and then after two hours of work I would go to the center and nurse her again, then work two more hours, nurse again and then work two more hours and pick her up and go home. By the time I had to work full time again she only needed to be nursed once in the middle of the day at my lunch time. No pumping at all! It was great.

I pumped for a couple of months at work. We have a family-style bathroom with a lock, a chair and a decent counter. It was private, and great - as far as pumping goes.

I pumped at work until my daughter was 9 months-old (had enough milk stored I could pump twice at home and cut out the office pumping). I had my own office and was able to shut/lock the door three times a day for a quick date with the pump (I agree - got old fast, but well worth it)! ~Lisa www.eNutritionServices.com