https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:51:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092702 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:21:42 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2092702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: That is a great comparison. If I'm in a jury trial and ask for a pumping break, no one is going to die, but it's still not a realistic option. Assuming the judge even allows it, it means we have to go off the record, the bailiff has to remove and sequester the jury for the break, all of the court staff, attorneys, parties, and witnesses have to wait around (which is still billable time for any attorneys forced to wait, which their clients will not be happy to pay), then having to reassemble everyone, go back on the record and bring the jury back. </p> <p>My employer is wonderful and will do everything possible to accommodate me, but the nature of litigation, especially trial work, is not nursing-mother friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092401 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:28:56 +0000 Applesandbananas 2092401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: I think a surgeon could probably schedule surgeries around pump breaks if needed, of course there'll be an emergency situation that arises, but for the most part, it could probably be arranged. I think if you want I make it happen, you can. There's so much out there (freemie cups, medela freestyle, etc.) that make pumping less of a hassle. I hope it works out, but if not, formula is perfectly healthy! My LO definitely got formula every now and then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092391 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:20:55 +0000 Bluebonnet 2092391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: As others have mentioned, it will be very hard to get any work done and breastfeed the first 6 weeks after the baby is born unless you have full time (round the clock) help. I'm sure it can be done, but you will be more successful with your goals to work while on maternity leave and to feed the baby if you line up help in advance.</p> <p>As far as pumping at court or during depos, other law bees have made great suggestions (check to see if there is a pumping room available at the depo site and court). Ideally you'd want to pump mid morning and mid afternoon, so 2 breaks a day plus lunch would be ideal (which is a perfectly reasonable number of breaks).</p> <p>When you are establishing your milk supply (the first 2 months), it will be really hard to skip a pumping session and not be uncomfortably engorged and leaking (obviously something you do not want in a professional environment). You'll have to see how your body responds and determine how to stretch out time between pumping sessions (when you need to).</p> <p>Since you will be pumping on the go, I highly recommend the Medela Freestyle. Its small, lightweight, and has a battery that only needs to be charged every few days (so you won't have to find pumping accommodations with a suitable power outlet). Also stock up on Medela wipes (no water needed to clean pump parts). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092390 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:20:41 +0000 Madison43 2092390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: I don't want to speak for @MrsBananaGrabber but in our field its not really about what the "law" allows but rather the nature of the profession, litigation in particular. This is a complete exaggeration but its like a surgeon stepping out to pump in the middle of surgery - sure, maybe your entitled by law to take that time to pump, but it's probably not the best idea. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092362 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:01:44 +0000 elise626 2092362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: Just wanted to pipe in that you probably want to save the hand pump for occasional use initially while you're establishing your supply. My LC said it's best to exclusively nurse the first 4-6 weeks so that baby establishes your supply, but barring that the electric pump. Take care! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092271 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 07:10:09 +0000 Applesandbananas 2092271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: surely the law protects mothers who have to be in other offices/locations to perform their job duties. I traveled to different locations and had day long meetings and things like that, but I made it known I needed pumping accommodations and everyone worked with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092254 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 06:30:28 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2092254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: I practice employment law, so I'm actually pretty familiar with state and federal laws regarding nursing mothers' rights in the workplace :) My employer isn't an issue at all- at the office, I have a private place to pump and can do so as often as I like, as long as it doesn't affect my work. The issue is when I'm in court all day or at another attorney's office. </p> <p>@Mama Bird: The amount of time I spend in trial varies. Some weeks I don't have to go to court or even leave the office at all, and some weeks I spend every day in trial. How often would you say you were comfortable with using a manual pump? Was one a day a week pretty much the limit? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092197 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 23:14:52 +0000 Mama Bird 2092197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How often would the trials be? When I was pumping, I had an electric pump for nursing and a manual for field visits. The manual was one sided and not as efficient, but at least no extension cord needed and I could pump in any bathroom. I kept the washing to a minimum, just a quick rinse at the end if the sink looked clean, and nothing till the end of the day if the bathroom was gross... milk is good at killing germs, so I had no problems with it going bad even if I went all day without washing the pump. The manual was a pain though, it was ok once a week, but I wouldn't want to deal with it often! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092122 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:21:17 +0000 avivoca 2092122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: you should check your state laws regarding breastfeeding. It is a legal right and they can't really deny you time to pump if you need it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092111 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:12:19 +0000 jedeve 2092111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: it's worth asking! The pumping room at the capitol isn't labeled or anything and it's not just for capitol employees, just for anyone who is there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump/page/2#post-2092094 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:57:45 +0000 Mae 2092094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am (was I guess) a litigator and I never actually had to deal with this because I ended up not going back to work when my LO was born but I planned to pump as needed. Every trial I've ever taken part in has had at least a 10 minute break every 2 hours. Usually an hour for lunch. Plus the judges are always crazy accommodating of everyone's schedules and there are lots of closed rooms (conference rooms, jury rooms, staff offices etc). You could easily go to court a little early and pump before starting, during break, during lunch, during break, and then after trial before you head home. And thats if you even need to pump 5 times between 8 and 5 which you probably won't. You could probably get away with just pumping at 8, 12, and 4:30 and be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090685 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 07:26:54 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2090685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: Close- my typical full-day trial is 8:30 – 4:30, with 1 break for lunch. For deps, it really depends. For small depositions with only 3-5 people present, I’m sure regular breaks won’t be an issue (and some won’t even last more than a few hours anyway). I’m more concerned about depositions with 10+ people present, where a bunch of corporate representatives have flown in from all over and everyone is on a tight schedule. It’s not uncommon for me to be in depositions now where attendees are only in town for one day and we’re already in a bit of a rush to get through everything. In those circumstances, I don’t imagine everyone else would be as sympathetic to taking 20-30 minute breaks every 3 hours. I’m not a sole practitioner, but we don’t have many attorneys at our firm. Each attorney has a huge caseload (much bigger than in most litigation practices, which is a source of constant complaints from the other attorneys) which they manage by heavily depending on non-attorney support (who must be carefully supervised by lawyers, so I can’t just leave my paralegals to handle my cases).</p> <p>@meganmp: Thank you :)</p> <p>@jedeve: I’m not sure. I know that they don’t have pumping rooms that are open to / advertised to the public, because I spend a lot of time there and would have seen them, but it’s possible that there’s something available for courthouse staff. </p> <p>@dc yoga bee: Congratulations on your promotion! Litigation can be a crazy, non-stop whirlwind, but at this point I think I’d be bored with transactional work too ☺ I’m sure that, even on the busiest days, I’ll be able to pump before the work starts, during lunch, and at the end of the day, as you described. When I’m not in court or deposition I know I’ll be able to do it much more than that. I don’t know what your new schedule will be like, but I’d imagine that there will be days when you’re also mostly in the office and have much more flexibility with your schedule. </p> <p>@elise626: Sounds like the Freestyle is a must. My area isn’t as progressive or nursing-friendly as the Northeast (a woman was recently sanctioned by a judge for breastfeeding during jury duty), but if my only choice is to pump in dirty court bathrooms, I guess that’s what I’ll do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090639 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 00:44:42 +0000 elise626 2090639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: Both, but mostly motions practice in federal court. I'm in the NE where breastfeeding/pumping is very common. I haven't faced any issues from opposing counsel/judges for pumping breaks. I usually try to pump on the way to court, during lunch and afterwards, so there isn't much need for numerous break in between. Even the judges I was most concerned about, older/male/intimidating, have been supportive. Keep in mind most of them have wives, sisters, daughters, nieces. As for court security, no issue at all. I kept my pump, bottles, flanges, ice pack and mini cooler in one bag, and used a medela freestyle. The freestyle really was a lifesaver, can't imagine lugging anything larger. Also, just a tip, keep an extra set of pump parts and a hand pump in the car for emergencies. Lastly, I'd pump even if I knew I wouldn't want to use the milk later (dropped pump parts on gross floor), just to maintain supply. As others have mentioned, it's hard to pump initially when you're still establishing your supply (I'd say the first 6 weeks). Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090495 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:40:26 +0000 ShootingStar 2090495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: My comments were aimed at the fact that that the OP says she may take a 4 week leave and be working during that time. I completely understand not always getting breaks during the work day to pump, it's one of the reasons I stopped pumping/bf-ing around 8 months. </p> <p>As others have pointed out, it's really hard to establish breastfeeding in the first month. Your supply is still regulating, baby's probably still eating every 2 hours and cluster feeding all evening. It's REALLY tough to have a one month old. By 6 weeks most people feel like they're going to have a breakdown. </p> <p>I'm just trying to point out that instead of being so concerned with her co-workers and her caseload, she may need to be concerned about herself and her baby. You can make yourself crazy trying to do too much with a newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090480 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:28:38 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2090480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: I would have no shame and pump with a cover on the train!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090469 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:15:32 +0000 dc yoga bee 2090469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar:I'm an attorney too. I've been in depositions and on trial- you can't always just tell the judge or opposing counsel you "need more breaks." They just don't care, or may not have the time to stop a trial for you to pump. It is what it is. Sometimes it seems like the norm that people have long maternity leaves, but it may not always be he case. And as the primary breadwinner, I cannot afford to take unpaid leave or simply not be present. Jobs are hard to come by- especially for a market over saturated with lawyers. I've accumulated 6 weeks paid leave, am going to ask for four more advance leave, but if they say no it is what it is. Our agency is strapped for resources, and I may not even be allowed to take more unpaid even if I want to. So, I think we need to remember to be kind to everyone's situation even if it doesn't seem like the right priority for your family.</p> <p>@MrsBananaGrabber:I've been doing transactional work for the past two years, and have been bored out of my mind. I got promoted last week, and am moving to a fast paced trial team. It may sound crazy taking this on at 26weeks, but opportunities are hard to come by, and we will make it work for our family. I plan to pump in the morning on the way to work for days that I drive, and as soon as I get into the office on days I take the train. I'll pump at lunch, and then try to pump right before I leave for home. I plan to use batteries so I can pump on the go, and while I *really* don't want to pump in the bathroom at the courthouse if I have to I will if they don't have a pumping room. That's 2-3 pumping sessions a day, and I'll try to make it work. If it diesnt work, then I'll supplement with formula and that will be okay too! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090432 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 19:27:37 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2090432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do want to agree with others that you will still be establishing a supply at 4-6 weeks pp and will need to pump every two to three hours (pump for every missed feeding). A lot of other suggestions and scenarios posted here were probably for later on with a more established supply and older baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090347 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 16:46:52 +0000 jedeve 2090347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do the courthouses you are usually at have a pumping room? I don't work at a courthouse but our state Capitol has one. Which is something I wish I knew before pumping in the bathroom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090232 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:27:52 +0000 PrincessBaby 2090232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: If you don't want to pump in a bathroom (I have done it and you are right, it is gross), can you get out to your car? I am a sales rep, and my company car is my "office" all day, so I don't have a bricks and mortar office to pump in. I just pump in the back seat. The nice thing about that is that I just leave the pump in my car, and I have a mini ice chest/cooler that I put the milk in, and I also put my pump parts in the cooler so I don't have to spend time cleaning them each time. I kept Medela wipes in the car too, just in case I wanted to wipe off parts. At least that way you wouldn't have to lug in all your stuff and milk and deal with all of that. My windows are tinted and so no one can really see in, but it was/is my only option so I really didn't care anyway:)</p> <p>ETA: I used the same two Medela bottles for each pump session in a day, and just emptied the milk into the storage bags and everything went back in the cooler each time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090204 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:42:08 +0000 meganmp 2090204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I'm not sure telling someone to reevaluate their priorities is helpful. We don't know her needs besides needing help figuring out how to pump at an inflexible job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090191 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:23:51 +0000 Lala 2090191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a 6 week maternity leave with an inflexible job to return to. I would nurse or pump right before leaving for work. Pumped once in the middle of my 10 hour day and usually got around 15 oz. Then would nurse or pump right after getting home. You can make it work! I found that the more relaxed I was, the better my supply was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090190 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:23:12 +0000 Madison43 2090190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an attorney also. For full day trial days, I assume the court is only in session from 9:30 - 4:30? I would pump in my car before court, during lunch and immediately after. Not ideal, but when you are the mercy on the judges schedule, it will have to work. For depositions, I'd just let your adversary know that you'll be needing more breaks. Honestly, I'm surprised that you only take one break during a depo - what if someone has to use the restroom, or confer with their client? I recently deposed a breastfeeding mom and we took a bunch of breaks so she could feed her baby and no one thought twice about. Also, real talk, you're probably not going to get any meaningful "work" done during that maternity leave unless you have full time (and potentially overnight) help. Finally, unless you're a solo practioner or the only partner at your firm, there really shouldn't be any reason why you can't check out for a few weeks or more. At my firm, we've had people on maternity leaves, medical leaves, and personal sabbaticals out for months at time. Sure, it's hard for everyone to pick up the slack, but such is life. The work gets done and the world continues spinning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090143 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:14:55 +0000 ShootingStar 2090143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: I think you may have unrealistic expectations for maternity leave. Working in the first 4-6 weeks just may not be viable. As a first time mom you'll be struggling with lack of sleeping and feeding and everything else. And as others have pointed out breastfeeding isn't usually well established that early. </p> <p>I don't say this to be mean, but I think you might want to take a look at your priorities. I am a WOHM, and I have an intense career that is a priority in my life. But you are about to become a mom. You can never get this time back with your newborn. I honestly think that it's really questionable to take a 4 week leave unless you are going to be in abject poverty unless you go back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090138 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:04:12 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2090138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: There are other attorneys there, but we all have huge caseloads. Additionally, I supervise 10 people (who, ethically, must be supervised by an attorney). The other lawyers' workload is already too big for them to handle my cases for long, so asking them to do that AND supervise the people under me just won't work for more than a few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090057 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:19:08 +0000 raintreebee 2090057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: certainly women have done short maternity leaves, but is there anyone in your office who can cover for you or are you a solo practitioner? I take my career very seriously, but I would do everything in my power to take more time. I have a job where I am one of the only people in the city who can teach my courses but I just made it work. Not trying to stress you out. Just want to help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2090042 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:02:23 +0000 ChelseaRose 2090042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: I really hope that schedule works out for you, but please be gentle with yourself if you need to or face any challenges. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2089980 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 08:34:16 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2089980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@elise626: Are you usually in state or federal courts? Any issues getting a pump through security? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2089949 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 04:58:43 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2089949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChelseaRose: I'd love to take more time off, but I really can't leave my caseload or the people supervise for long (and during the 4-6 weeks I'm off, I'll be doing a lot of work from home). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2089448 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 10:20:14 +0000 ChelseaRose 2089448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: at only 4-6 weeks post partum it's hard to have a well established supply (although you might still have an initial over supply), but messing with your schedule so much that early can impact your overall supply. At that age they are often eating constantly making it harder to have a back up supply of frozen milk to rely on. I would worry about getting clogged ducts and mastitis by changing around your pumping/ nursing schedule at only one month. Is there a reason you're choosing to go back so soon? I wasn't even medically cleared until 10 weeks. I would imagine that the courts do have something in mind for lactation for their own employees even if they are not publicly known. I'm not an attorney, but have a job that requires somewhat regular court appearances and I would usually just pump in my car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-moms-who-cant-take-a-break-every-few-hours-how-when-do-you-pump#post-2089415 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:21:55 +0000 elise626 2089415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pumped as an attorney for two years. I'd bring a little cooler with ice pack, got the Medela Freestyle with the simple wishes handfree pump bra and I would pump in the bathroom/in my car on the way to court/empty conference rooms, pretty much anywhere I could find. Also, I found that a few of the courthouses had lactation rooms--try asking around. I became friendly with some of the Judge's secretaries too who would store my milk in the fridge in chambers for longer court days. Opposing counsel and judges were always very understanding. You can completely do it! Good luck! </p>