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Do they have kids? I have some coworkers it would be ok with and some that I personally would not be comfortable pumping around. I just feel all exposed and weird

I don't think I would pump with my coworkers in the car, but maybe that is just based on my personal relationship with my coworkers. Are you friendly? Do they already know you pump? Do any of them have kids? I feel like if someone asked me now, now that I've been there and done that, I would be totally a-okay with it. But if it was 10 years ago and I was young, I would have thought it was weird.

I think this is completely dependent on your relationship with each of the others. From an HR perspective, I would be concerned about doing this. Can you ask to leave earlier instead, so your pumping time after arrival doesn't interfere with the conference and networking?

@jessibear: This is what I would do - leave earlier in order to still have time to pump. I wouldn't feel comfortable pumping in front of others and I'd hate to put that burden on them about having to tell me no!

@Mrs. Coral: I hear you. I've had to turn down things that I wanted to attend because of pumping considerations.

Is there any way that you could drive separately? Then you could pump while driving and not miss anything. I've had to do that for work things before. Maybe another solution?

For the sake of milk and supply, I have pumped on the train next to strangers, in an open conference room with people I don't know (both with cover of course) so I'd absolutely ask.

Sadly in my experience some young female coworkers are the most squeamish about pumping and breast milk. And I work at a childrens hospital! People are so weird sometimes.

It depends on the relationship you have with your coworkers! I would ask my coworkers, but we're really close and are friends outside of school. I wish breastfeeding was more socially acceptable!

Relatedly, I'm a teacher and just had to email my principal asking for accommodations for pumping next year. So awkward.

I agree that it depends on the relationship with your coworkers but from how you are talking about it, I would probably say no.

I would not ask. You are putting them in very awkward spot and I would be really worried that they would say yes, but actually be uncomfortable with it. I just think nursing in front of people and pumping in front of people are two totally different ball games. I would probably just drive myself so I could pump when I needed to without worry.

@CarrieLouWho: Wait, pump WHILE driving??

I would probably ask. The car is pretty loud and if they have music on and are talking, the sound wouldn't be an issue--as long as you have a giant cover and they can't see anything...

I had to pump once in the front seat while my inlaws rode in the back seat. They are from a more conservative south asian culture, so it was slightly awkward, but I had a big cover, didn't show anything, and frankly, it had to be done (8 hour road trip).

I think that I would feel uncomfortable in the car with a pumping mom if I was not a mom or even close to being one.

Don't quote me on this being law but if you have a right to breastfeed in public, don't you have the right to pump? Meaning, there can't be an HR policy that would prohibit you from doing this. Out of courtesy, I would let them know the situation in advance and agree together how to best accommodate everyone. But, if it came down to it, I'd have no issue pumping in the car. You gotta do what you gotta do!!

@Truth Bombs: me too!!

I'm have pumped in the car with friends (under a scarf) but I don't think I would do it with co-workers. Can you get there early and pump then head in??

@MrsF: @CarrieLouWho: @Anagram: @Truth Bombs: Maybe the reason this is startling to me is because I'm only six weeks along in my BF journey and thus have a crazy oversupply right now - when I hook up to the pump, I have a full bottle in 5 minutes. Pumping in the car for me would mean a desperate stop on the side of the road to unhook and screw off flanges/screw on bottle tops or there would be milk EVERYWHERE.