Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

I am in retail and there is no privacy for me to pump anywhere so I am just wondering where all of you pump?

I can use the restroom but I can't relax and get very anxious and frustrated if I hear another person in there waiting to use the toilet. There is only 1 ladies room for the store so staff shares with the public and there are only 2 stalls, 1 with a broken lock. So technically only 1 private stall that I'd have to sit on the toilet with no lid. There are no offices with a closed door without video surveilance. And the breakroom is definitely not private.

I use a manual pump so I can really do my business anywhere but does that mean I have to go to the car in this cold weather?

Also, with my shifts we're only allowed one 15 minute break. Sometimes I need 20-25 mins.

DS is almost 6 months and STTN. I have to be at work at 5 or 6am. So from the time he eats last until the time I wake up, if I don't pump before I leave the house, then I am leaking and engorged halfway through my shift. I am usually done for the day by 11am or noon but even if I do pump at 4am before I go to work, by 8 or 9 I'm due to pump again and because there's no privacy I've been waiting til I get home. I just don't want this to affect my supply because DS is already on cereal once a day. After his 6 month checkup in two weeks I'm sure we're going to be instructed to give him more solids. Therefore I'm going to have to be on top of pumping to save my good supply.

I didn't put this on the support thread because it is such a long thread I wasn't sure who actually keeps up with it.

Any advice? My manager is a female and a mother so I would be ok talking to her. I just don't know what can actually be done other than me freezing my butt off in the car. What do you all do?

ETA: And when I have to wash my parts, it's usually a quick rinse because I fear someone is going to walk into the restroom or breakroom. (I'm not ashamed but I feel this is a personal thing and don't really need others seeing what I'm washing out).

Message edited 1/4/2012 5:18:37 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

I can't help as for where to pump, but according to the LLL's book you don't need to wash the parts during the day. Do you have access to a refrigerator? I rinse/wipe the parts and place in a large ziploc then place in the frig in between pumping sessions. After I get home, I really wash the parts with soap and hot water.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

By law aren't they suppose to supply you with a private room & non-paid breaks?

My office is small, so we put a lock on the kitchen/breakroom for me to pump. I had privacy & access to a sink, fridge, etc.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

Here's a link to the NYS Labor Law regarding pumping:

Link to PDF

I share an office space with no privacy and after I shared the above link with my supervisor's administrative assistant, changes were made to accommodate me. HTH!

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

I'm sorry your workplace doesn't seem more accommodating! I agree with the PP, I believe they might have to provide you a private place to pump by law but I'm not 100%. I would absolutely talk to your boss or HR. You should absolutely NOT have to pump in the bathroom! I wouldn't think of pumping there, it just seems so unsanitary. My employer does give us a small room with a sink (I don't use it but that's a whole other story). I wish the door locked but it's mostly private and I've only been walked in on 3 or 4 times by female coworkers (we don't work with many men). When I haven't had access to a clean private room I've gone to my car. I feel like that's cleaner than most public restrooms (just wash your hands before you head to the car and have sanitizer with you). Can you maybe use an office?

As far as washing pump parts, I use the Medela breast pump parts wipes they sell. I keep my parts in a big ziplock bag and wipe them clean and let them dry between pumping. Of course once I get home they get a really good washing or go in the dishwasher.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

Is there an office you could use? Like for the manager or something? Talk to your boss and try to get her to accommodate your needs.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

Thank you for your replies. To answer a few of your questions to better understand my situation:

1. Yes, I have access to a fridge.

2. I have the Medela wipes as well. I guess I could just keep those with me.

3. No, I don't have access to a private office. There is a very small cash office but is under video surveilence (sp?) which is directly seen on the tv screen in the main office (in which the tiny cash office is connected to). The video monitor is always on with 4 small screens. 1 Main Entrance, 2 Cash office, 3 Back receiving area in stock room and 4: One of the top depts. known for loss (shrink). So, If I was to pump in the cash office, I'd be seen on the tv screen. The main office has a huge picture window that views the whole front end. And that's about it... like I said... no privacy.

4. I do get an unpaid break if I work over 6 hours. Anything under 6 hours is a paid 15 minute break (but sometimes I need 20-25 mins.).

5. I am a former NYer and now in VA so thank you for the laws, but it won't help me. I guess I can check to see what the laws are here.

It looks like I'm either stuck in the bathroom stall or my car... Or just try to pump at 4am every workday and then nurse DS as soon as I get home or pump at home. :-/

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

I live in VA as well and Im pretty sure they have to supply you with a private space to pump.

This was brought up to my company by a nursing mom before me and they provided a small shower room. Not that accommodating by any means. There is no plug for my electric pump but it has a lock on the door.

I am pretty close with several people with private offices so I usually go in someones office while they go to lunch. If I can, I go to the shower stall on battery power.

I have also pumped in my car several times in the past when I was not at work and needed to pump. I just used the nursing cover and no one even noticed.

Good luck!

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

There was a proposal for a Law in NY but not sure if it even went into effect.

As far as privacy, you could always use a breastfeeding cover.

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

Re: Breastfeeding Moms: Where do you pump at work?

Sorry! I didn't realize you are in VA! Maybe the rules from the US Department of Labor will help?

Break Time for Nursing Mothers

Fair Labor Standards Act - Nursing Mothers