I just had a disturbing phone call from the husband of a very committed
breastfeeding mother.
Mom has an eight-week old baby at home and returned to work today. She had
made advance arrangements with her supervisors that she would pump during
the normal work breaks that all other employees take during the work day.
(Two 15 minute breaks and one 30 minute lunch break.) She planned to pump
in her office for privacy and convenience, as her office has electrical
outlets and the bathroom does not.
Now the supervisors are telling her that these arrangements are "no longer
possible" and if she must pump, she will have to pump in the bathroom.
They have given her no other reasons. It seems that they want to make this
experience as difficult as possible for her.
Her husband claims that the employers are mad at her because she was on bed
rest early in her pregnancy and took an eight-week maternity leave instead
of the customary six. He feels that they will now harrass her and try to
make her life miserable.
I would appreciate any suggestions from Lactnetters about what these
parents might do next.
Loyann Waber