How do you make it possible to use your breast pump at work when you have a tight schedule?

Question

As I look toward Aug, when I will return to work after my maternity leave, I wonder how I will have the time and the privacy for pumping two times a day for 20 minutes each pumping session. My schedule is very tight until the later afternoon, when I have a 50 minute planning period following my 30 minute lunch break...I need a 30 minute break in the AM, but I'm worried that I'm asking for too much.

We live a very simple life (no travel, no movies, no eating out, no fancy cars, no fancy furniture, no fancy entertainment system, etc) and we STILL need my small salary, so staying at home isn't possible, unfortunately...I would do almost anything to stay at home if we could make it work financially.

Is it too much to ask for the two 20-30 minute breaks (at the necessary times) to allow me to pump? This is the equiviant of asking for extra breaks....when everyone else has to keep working

Forgot to mention: I am a computer teacher. I have classes back to back in the morning, and I don't have any "free time" until late afternoon.

If I don't pump during a normal schedule, my milk supply will most likely drop, making breast feeding impossible, and my breasts will get so engorged, it will be painful. I feel strongly that breast milk is the best for my growing baby for many reasons. Formula will be given as a back up when needed.

Answer 1

Sounds like a reasonable request to me. I believe you are entitled to two 15 minute breaks during the day anyway. You're doing one pumping in the afternoon when you already have time away from your desk, what is the harm in asking for 30 minutes in the morning?

Talk to some other moms on staff and find out what they did. Most companies these days don't mind accommodating people for a variety of situations. Besides, you aren't going to be pumping forever.

Answer 2

I didn't breast feed , but I thought the whole purpose of pumping,was so someone else could feed baby when you are not there. So why can't you just do this at home, before you go to work, or the night before ? You could also just feed baby formula, make the switch before you have to go back to work to make sure baby adjusts to it . You can get formula "FREE " from WIC as well as other foods , and it sounds like you meet the financial requirements . You can find them in the phone book or your local "Job and Family Services " You do NOT need to be on welfare to recieve WIC { Women , Infants , and Children } Good Luck !