https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 07:01:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2873078 Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:57:41 +0000 mediagirl 2873078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone suggested a white noise machine or two? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872860 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:51:53 +0000 josina 2872860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depending on room temperature I would suggest a space heater. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872855 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:37:31 +0000 smuckers 2872855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a water cooler, if possible? Nursing always made me SO THIRSTY </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872822 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:11:03 +0000 lindseykaye 2872822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: forgot ttenhand sanitizer dispenser and trash can are a must too. We have Level 2 lab areas here and they’re already on all the walls so another will be an easy and must-have addition. Thanks!</p> <p>@peaches1038: Microwave is also a great idea!</p> <p>@Mrs. Toad: we will have coded doors when that work is finished up so that’s a great idea to have that on this door - it also solves the flimsy lock situation that’s going on now and already has been brought up to be resolved.</p> <p>I think some art on the walls is needed too - to make it a more inviting space and also to buffer some of the sound of a pump in a room full of hard surfaces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872820 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 09:53:30 +0000 krispi 2872820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have loved a place to store my pump instead of having to lug it 3 floors up to my desk each time. That thing is heavy!</p> <p>Another thing I appreciated in our mothers room were blankets. They have chairs that can sit up or recline and throw blankets in case you get chilly. It's a pretty cozy space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872802 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 08:19:47 +0000 lindseykaye 2872802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my goodness thank you for all the awesome ideas!! </p> <p>For the most part I think it’ll be a one person operation, but all the info on making the space work for multiple moms. It’s something to keep in mind for if the need arises later on and I can help accommodate our employees needs better.</p> <p>I’d like to add a drying rack by the sink, a cup with pens and sharpies for labeling milk bags, an extension cord/power strip so that a pump/phone/computer can be plugged in without having to reach too far, a wall clock, and a desk lamp in addition to the things it already needs right now. Oh and some hooks on the wall to hang a pumping bag or maybe a shirt or jacket or whatever is needed.<br /> There’s no mirror over the sink so I think that would be nice to have to straighten clothes afterward and make sure you’re not leaving with buttons undone or straps hanging out.</p> <p>There’s a sign on the wall outside designating it as a mother’s room, but I agree some kind of way to indicate it’s in use would be nice. I was definitely worried yesterday that someone might come in since the building is still being finished and we have contractors walking around checking lights and outlets and airflow and things like that.</p> <p>I’ll also make a google calendar for the room so it can be reserved and so I can book myself as busy and people don’t schedule meetings with me on top of my pumping time!</p> <p>@pachamama: right now I’m pumping sitting on a metal folding chair with nothing else in the room except the sink/counter (but no soap or paper towels) lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872798 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 07:25:38 +0000 pachamama 2872798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: wow this sounds so much better than the coach's office in the girls locker room here at the high school I teach in! With a metal folding chair! There were four of us pumping and only one key 👌 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872796 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 07:08:35 +0000 Adira 2872796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely storage. Ours has one of those cube bookcases so you can store your pump for the day. Definitely a lock (I assume it will have one), preferably a combo lock where only pumping moms will get the combo. Something on the door to be able to indicate when it's in use. Art and a clock on the wall.</p> <p>Also, at our work, our mother's rooms have Outlook calendars so moms can book their time. That was really convenient so you knew exactly when you were pumping and when it would be in use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872790 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 05:33:23 +0000 meadow 2872790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: nope! So I had 2 options .... one was the room for 2 described above which wound up not working well for me due to logistics of getting to the room and having enough time to pump and pumping with a coworker was too awkward for me. That room had a key on the outside &amp; a deadbolt on the inside. So there was also the worry that someone would be actively pumping &amp; youm be locked out after hiking to that part of the building.</p> <p>The room I chose to pump in was much closer but not intended for pumping. It was a door only with z keyed lock on the other side. All of my coworkers have the key. Often people would use that room to step away for a personal phone call. Hard habit to break! It also housed IT server equipment so there was also a fear they would come down to fix something while I was secretly pumping in there :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872789 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:02:55 +0000 Miss Sarah 2872789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm terrified to use ours when I go back to work. The space is OK, but the entrance to it is directly from a major hallway that students use regularly. I'm worried someone will just come right in. There is a sign to post on the outside with velcro that says the room is occupied. But again, high school students walk by all the time. That sign has been bumped or intentionally taken down before! Eek. It's also not designed for two due to this reason (opening door while another is pumping) ...and the will be one other pumping mom when I return, so I suppose we'll have to coordinate our schedules. </p> <p>My saving grace is that I'll only need to stop it for a few weeks before summer break. I'll return May 15 and we're done June 7th! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872788 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:56:17 +0000 Mrsbells 2872788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: wow! Ours locks kind of like an airplane bathroom so it can only be unlocked from inside but I'm honestly still a bit paranoid about it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872786 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 23:24:52 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2872786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: Neat that you get to give feedback and essentially set it up how you want! All I'll add to above is a power strip in case outlets are in short supply.<br /> @Kaohinani: Truly appreciate the Exceptional students designation. Thanks for being so thoughtful. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872785 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 23:20:47 +0000 Corduroy 2872785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I got walked in on when the door was locked. I believed them when they said Facilities has the only other key. Turns out they were wrong. Surprise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872784 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 23:04:47 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2872784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cabinets to put away hands free pumping bra and any other small items.. Most of us left a labeled bottle rack with our pump parts on the counter. We had to provide our own brush and soap. The last time I was pumping, there were about 8 of us. If all seats were being used, we just asked politely if someone was about to be finished.</p> <p>We had rooms set up for 3 with privacy curtains like at doctor's offices. Privacy curtain covered a chair and small side table. We also had one phone in the room, but working wasn't easily accomplished. To get in, we had to use our work badge which is only coded for those who need it. </p> <p>The best was 2 Medela Symphonies. All we needed was the tubes and connections. There are multiple outlets to plug in your pump if you didn't want to use the Symphony. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872783 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:51:58 +0000 Mrsbells 2872783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: the door didnt lock from inside? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872781 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:50:08 +0000 meadow 2872781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree about having a curtain or one of those folding room separators so two people could pump if need be. The mother's room at my work is setup for two....enough outlets and two chairs, but zero privacy between them....I always thought that was odd.</p> <p>If there I'd only space for 1 person...it still could be nice to have some sort of divider setup by the door. The fear of an accidental walk in made it harder for me to let down on occasions I heard someone right outside the door who might have forgotten why the door was shut &amp; walk in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872777 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:11:12 +0000 Shantuck 2872777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My old law firm had a laptop table that would slide over the chair and make it really easy to keep working (in addition to a side table). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872775 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:09:39 +0000 peaches1038 2872775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a microwave so you could sterilize pump parts in those bags or even heat up your lunch! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872772 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:00:23 +0000 Mrsbells 2872772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: we have nice lockers in ours so people can leave their pumps and gear in the room.<br /> Ours also has a system where people can reserve the room and check in or out of the room like a hotel system that is typically used to meeting rooms </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872767 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:26:09 +0000 Pollywog 2872767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and a thermostat control. Ours is next to the server room and is 69.8 degrees to keep the (defunct) server happy. I'm freezing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872761 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:09:23 +0000 Corduroy 2872761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: Sounds like the room has already been built but I would have loved better ventilation in the rooms I used for pumping. The doors are closed most of the time I found that it got a little smelly. (In case that's just me I'll say that I had an active job at the time and sweat a lot while nursing.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872755 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:52:06 +0000 PurplePumps 2872755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The one at my work has a sound machine, phone and LAN connection (I guess in case you have a meeting when you're scheduled to pump?). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872751 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:37:09 +0000 Pollywog 2872751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest thing I've seen if what happens if multiple people need to pump? Even if it's only set up for one person, it's great if there's a curtain so the other person can grab their milk/pump and pump elsewhere. Also, pump storage is great </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872748 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:23:40 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2872748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours had space for two moms and the space was divided with a curtain like a hospital. It was useful and I just used head phones if I was pumping at the same time as another mom. My work also provided bottle brushes and soap to wash parts if you needed to along with extra milk bags if you needed to grab a few extra. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872747 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:20:26 +0000 Becky 2872747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always find a lamp instead of an overhead light helps me to relax, so a lamp would be a nice addition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872746 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:20:08 +0000 Kaohinani 2872746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so jealous! 😁 When I was teaching exceptional students at the upper elementary level, I was afforded a seat in an extra custodial closet to pump for DD (* it was horrid and students could hear me as they walked the hall!) unless I wanted to face away from the other educators in a corner in the teacher's lounge. It was a terrible experience PP with an otherwise progressive school.<br /> With DS, the university where I worked afforded a "pumping station" 2 buildings away from me. (It was a mad dash during my 15 minute breaks to pump!). The room had a decent chair, a side table, and media access. All BM had to be stored in personal coolers or in the faculty fridge. Not perfect, but an upgrade.<br /> In all honesty, I have no real "standard" additions to afford you since simply having privacy, a good seat, counter top, sink, and fridge sounds phenomenal to me. I need to gain employment where you are. 😉😂</p> <p>P.S. Littlebit7 has a few brilliant ideas I had not thought of because I was in too much awe to even think of them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872745 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:18:12 +0000 Littlebit7 2872745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lock on the door. Sign that clearly says “pumping mothers room” or whatever so dudes just don’t use it to take naps (true story) maybe a hand sanitizer dispenser on the wall. Trash can. A few outlets nearby (one for pump, one for computer or phone charger). Moveable adjustable height table like they have in hospitals so you can get work done<br /> Paper towel dispenser. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-room-at-work#post-2872744 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:05:10 +0000 lindseykaye 2872744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The laboratory where I work has just relocated to a new built-just-for-us facility a few weeks ago. It’s an amazing gorgeous building but needs a lot of finishing work yet. I’m the first person to use the mothers room and as part of the management team I have the opportunity to help set up this room for myself and future employees :D</p> <p>There’s a sink with ample counter space and a mini fridge on the way. I’m planning to have a table and comfy chair but is there anything I’m missing that would be a beneficial addition? I am new to using a mother’s room (I pumped while I worked in my office last time around) so I’d love any input. </p>