I'd love to hear what you all think about this unusual situation I heard
about from a mom today.

I speak to many mom's who are returning to work and want to continue
breastfeeding, but I've never heard a situation quite like this and I am
having a hard time determining whether this should be the ideal we are all
striving for or if there is something not right about the situation.  I
think it's the former, but I'd love to hear other thoughts.

Mom is an architect and works in an open floor plan office.  There are no
offices or cubicles, just desks.  I asked mom if they would be providing
space for her to pump and she said all the women working there just pump at
their desks.  She will be the 6th woman returning to work after maternity
leave and the 6th woman to pump at her desk.  In fact, when she was there a
few days ago, she and another woman were pumping at the same time, at their
desks, and speaking to each other as they pumped.  Now, I would not think
this was that odd except that this is a mixed gender office.

The pros of the situation are - potential mothers and fathers learn that
breastfeeding and returning to work is the norm; that there is nothing
embarassing about pumping; that they can continue to work and be efficient
while providing milk for their babies (I always preferred to do computer
work while pumping myself - I would've had a hard time continuing if I
couldn't have done at least one other thing while I pumped).

The cons of the situation are - a potential mother who is modest may decide
not to breastfeed because she doesn't want to pump in front of other people
(the company did have a space for moms upstairs, but the moms quickly
realized it was more efficient to stay at their desks); I guess I am having
a hard time thinking of other cons except that it is so outside the norm.

Apparently, this all started when one of the women in the office decided she
didn't want to go upstairs anymore and she is a particularly bold woman and
just decided to go for it.  They put jackets over themselves for privacy and
you can hear the pump, but she says you can't see anything and that the men
just ignore it.  I'd love to be there to observe sometime and see what it is
like.

This situation should be contrasted with a woman in my office who stopped
breastfeeding because she was too embarassed to ask for a key to the pumping
room and tell people she had to take a break to go pump.

I have a feeling that this is a story of true empowerment, but I'd like to
hear your thoughts as well.

Alexis

Alexis Martin Neely, Esq.
Los Angeles, CA
213-683-9220
[log in to unmask]


"Breastfeeding support is an integral part of the family/friendly workplace
environment." -Work & Family Coalition of San Diego
How have you supported breastfeeding today?


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