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Working moms who can't take a break every few hours- how / when do you pump?

  1. Mae

    papaya / 10343 posts

    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.

  2. jedeve

    pomegranate / 3643 posts

    @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.

  3. avivoca

    watermelon / 14467 posts

    @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.

  4. Mama Bird

    pomegranate / 3127 posts

    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!

  5. MrsBananaGrabber

    apricot / 309 posts

    @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.

    @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?

  6. Applesandbananas

    pomegranate / 3845 posts

    @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.

  7. elise626

    olive / 50 posts

    @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!

  8. Madison43

    persimmon / 1483 posts

    @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.

  9. Bluebonnet

    persimmon / 1427 posts

    @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.

    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).

    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).

    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).

  10. Applesandbananas

    pomegranate / 3845 posts

    @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!

  11. MrsBananaGrabber

    apricot / 309 posts

    @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.

    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.

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