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@MrsBananaGrabber: I would talk to HR and identify an empty office or room you can use, take your computer, and continue working while pumping.

I'm a teacher, so it's totally different...but I am the ONLY teacher in recent years to attempt to pump after going back to work. Everyone else switched to formula, because we don't have a pumping room and teachers don't get a lot of breaks from students.

I just talked to my boss ahead of time, told him I'm entitled to do this and would need to do it twice a day, and he tweaked my schedule so that my team time was in the morning and then my second pump could be on my lunch in the afternoon. I just pumped twice at work. I missed my team time pretty much every day for months (we are supposed to meet as a team and discuss agenda items)--- I just explained the situation and asked them to email me what I need to know/do.

Eventually when LO was 8 months old, I was able to just pump once at work, and then again on my commute home.

I am a trial attorney too, and it's workable. I just asked for breaks and pumped where ever I was. I had a battery operated pump and extra batteries. No one ever questioned it. I didn't pump that frequently though, and nursed a lot evenings and overnights.

@MenagerieMama: Agree.

The Medela Freestyle has a great battery and it really helps when pumping off site.

@MrsBananaGrabber: I did a little of all that you mentioned. Sometimes I just had to go off and pump. Other times I could wait a little longer. You will figure out your rhythm when it gets here. I would notice that I had to pump about an hour after lunch. If I didn't then I would get sore and leak. But the mornings I could push things a bit and not have to pump exactly at a given time.

@turkeylurkey: I did that, too! It was all a hassle! Putting everything away, etc. The 30 min pump time killed me

I'm not sure what a trial attorney is, I'm a barrister/solicitor in Australia who does trial work so I assume it's the same thing. I think the PPs have sensible ideas with the battery-powered pump. But from my experience you are correct in that there are going to be days where it is simply not an option to leave for 30 min when you need to. And even if you could ask for court to be adjourned so you could pump, it can be super difficult to let down if you're stressed out. Plus clients are not always the most forgiving people...I need to be in a quiet place with a quiet mind. So I think you will need to sometimes miss a pumping session and just wait until you get a slot of free time - lunch, afternoon break etc.

How long will you have off after baby?

If it were me I would also consider briefing out all my trials for a period of maybe 6 months so that I had a greater flexibility to pump/build up a supply stash. That might not be an option for you, however.

Freemies might make it easier for you!! Also, since fresh expressed mil is good at room temp for 6-8 hours, I usually didn't even refridgerate in between. Always used the same parts all day and didn't wipe them in between.

I have a lawyer friend, and she just exclusively pumps in her car. She has a nursing cover, a big cooler, and a good book to read, and she just makes it happen. She also pumps on her commute in and out.

@MrsBananaGrabber: I didn't start pumping until 4 months- at 4-6 weeks I am not sure what your schedule would look like.
I had a period of time where it was hard to pump during the day. I nursed at home, then pumped in the a.m. at work before things got crazy, usually a 6 hour break, then pumped towards the end of day, before going home. But, my kid slept for shit, so I got tons of evening/ nighttime nursing in. I second PP: use same parts, cordless pump,etc. Also, learn how to hand express for your own comfort, when you are leaking but you can't do a full pump. You can express a bit quickly in the bathroom to make yourself more comfortable.

And, embrace alternatives when it is time

@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.

@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.

@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.

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.

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.

@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:)

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.

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.

@dc yoga bee: I would have no shame and pump with a cover on the train!!

@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.