Did u have to choose between breastfeeding and working? Is it possible to do both?

RN2B2005 · Feb 12, 2003

I'm still breastfeeding my 19 month old son (just at naptime and bedtime, 2x a day or so) and I was fortunate to have a very accomodating employer who, when they realised I wasn't going to come back fulltime, gave me a flexible schedule at hours of my choosing. We have a relatively small staff (3 doctors and 12 or so staff members on site at any time) and the site medical director is a BIG advocate of breastfeeding (he has 4 children), so there is a lot of encouragement.

A coworker, an ultrasonographer who has a son about 15 months older than mine, came back to work at 32 hours a week when her son was 14 weeks old. She managed to breastfeed almost exclusively for the first year, and weaned her son at about 22 months. She made it work by having her sister-in-law bring her son to work twice a day and pumping at noon and at home. Even though space is at a premium in our clinic, some of the guys (doctors and radiology techs) came in on a weekend to remodel a bathroom and turn it into a lactation room--complete with a mini-fridge, Dutailier glider and a changing table. So all of this was in place when I had my son.

I agree with the posters who said it's not so much having a PLACE to pump or breastfeed but having the TIME. Personally, I let down milk like a Jersey cow every time I heard a baby cry, or thought about my son, or thought about NOT thinking about my son...thank God for nursing pads. However, having a supportive working environment--even an off-kilter one (one of my male coworkers would make explicit comments about my boobs but then give up his lunch so I could pump)--really helps.

My son now comes with me to work on occasion; the file clerks have put aside a little shelf space for "Sam's files" and the docs have a box of old teaching MRI's and a lightbox on the floor so Sam can "read" films when he comes to visit. I'm very lucky.:kiss

sanakruz, ADN · Feb 12, 2003

So kewl,RN2b-I like that child-friendly attitude!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 12, 2003

I breastfed my daughter for 16 months, even tho I went back to work (on a perdiem basis) when she was 6 mo. It takes serious dedication and work, for sure. I usually would put a picture of my daughter in front of me when I pumped to "get things going", along with sipping a liter of water beforehand, as often as possible. I even put on headphones w/classical music to drown out "work thoughts and noises".

It worked out ok...I had a lot of milk in the freezer for my dh and son to feed her. I guess it boils down to COMMITMENT, yours, that of your significant other, AND your employer's......and not all employers are supportive. You may have to FIGHT to do this, but it is worth it. I just don't care for formula......it's too expensive and nothing when stacked up to breastmilk. GOOD LUCK to you...hope it works out. When are you due? (I somehow missed that).

RN auditor · Feb 12, 2003

I too was concerned about breastfeeding and working. Especially since I was a first time breastfeeder on my fourth child. I went to the OB department and met with the lactation consultant and together we came up with a schedule, a room and a machine. See if your facility has a lactation consultant on staff and see if she can get you set up. Good luck. I only wish I had breastfed my first three!

altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN · Feb 13, 2003

It is possible to do both! I had my 3rd child 3 yrs ago this May. I have always worked the night shift 7p-7a which probably helped me work it in better. I had a wonderful group of co-workers also. The hospital I work at provides a lactation room with a big mama pump:) I unfortunately did not have time to go upstairs to use it; but I had my own pump I took to work with me. I work on a very busy step down ICU unit with only 7 RN's at a time max. When I needed to pump another nurse would watch my patients, I scooted into the bathroom and pumped. They knew I might be awhile and didn't mind at all. (They thought it was funny to "pretend cry" to get my milk to come down and then they had no choice but to listen for my pts....LOL LOL) Anyway, if you have good co-workers, committment to breastfeeding and the selfishness that is needed to step away from your patients it works out. Your baby is number one!!! It also helped me keep my milk production going by my husband listening to our son cry for that little bit until I got home to feed him also instead of giving him a bottle of breastmilk!! Good luck and don't feel guilty about doing what you've got TO DO:D

allnurses Guide · Feb 13, 2003

Yes, I'd have to say it is possible and worth it. I went back to work part-time when my last child (boy) was 4 months old. I got a great Medala Pump-In-Style electric pump. The hospital where I work is very accommodating (well, employers have to be. . .it is the law now! They have to allow you the time and the place). I pump three times a day in the same room that was set up for breastfeeding moms (there is one other mom) and my husband or inlaws bring my son in to work for me to nurse at least once a day. I liken it to the smoker's breaks . . . and I take less breaks then they do. :-) My son is 18 1/2 months old and I'm still nursing. I nursed my daughter until she was almost three(she is 13 now) the son before that until 18 months (he is 18 years now) and the first son until 6 months (I didn't have much support way back 20 years ago). I really enjoy the time with my son. Speaking of breast milk in the fridge . . . one of my older supervisors came to me and said in a hushed tone "Honey, I put your bottles of breast milk in brown paper bags so no one would have to look at them". I cracked up! We deal with urine, feces, phlegm, etc all day long and people are offended by MILK! So funny. My advice is to give it your best shot . . .. my one true desire would be to stay at home with my child (I did with the other three). I'm grateful I'm just working 2 days a week. This time passes so quickly. . . . . best of luck.

fiestynurse · Feb 13, 2003

I breast and formula fed for 6 months. I breast fed the baby right before I went to work and right when I got home from my 8 hour shift. I just breast fed on my days off. The baby got formula when I was at work. I stopped pumping at work because it was just too stressful. Somehow, this worked. I always had plenty of milk. My baby was thriving and happy.

I have heard lactation consultants speak of part-time breast feeding. It doesn't work for everyone, but it did for me.

K O'Malley · Feb 13, 2003

I had a terrible time trying to work and breast feed. With the first baby the doc said no way because I had to go back to work full time at 6 weeks. He said I would end up with mastitis. With the second and third babies I went back part time at three months and six months. It was so busy and there really was no place to pump so I would get horribly engorged and leak like crazy. If I had to do it over I think I would have taken a year off from work and then weaned before going back. Somehow we would have made it financially, we always seem to manage no matter what.

allnurses Guide · Feb 14, 2003

The Breastfeeding Accommodation Law states that "the employer must have a sensible amount of break time to accommodate an employee desiring to express breast milk for the employee's infant child. If possible, the break time should coincide with the employee's paid rest time, as required by the Industrial Welfare Commission. To make a reasonable effort to provide the employee with the use of a room or other location (other than a toilet stall) in close proximity to the employee's work area so that the employee may express milk in private." Quoted from the Shasta County Press Release stated on October 21, 2003 This is the law in California . . .check with your own states and counties.

Of course the easiest way is to find a way to stay home (playing the lottery hasn't worked yet - ha ha) . The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for at least a year. Other medical organizations say two years. Good luck and don't take any guff from your job. Your kids come first!

semstr · Feb 14, 2003

Since you can stay at home here after the birth for 2 years, this question is hardly ever raised.

however, it is common law too, to get all the time you need when breastfeeding your child.

But just a question, how is the MM-quality, when you have to do "it" so rushed everytime?

(Don't want to start big discussions here, I am really curious!)

Anagray, BSN · Feb 14, 2003

semstr, where are you from?

I live in the US, but I wasn't born there. In my home country mothers also stay home, etc. When i was growing up, mothers had 2 year maternity leave, sometimes even paid.

I stayed home with my first child, but this time it will not be an option, because I am starting clinicals this fall and my child will be born in August. I also have to manage to keep my job on the unit somehow between going to school and taking care of the kids.

and everyone, thank you for your comments. It really helps.

opalmRN · Feb 14, 2003

Originally posted by Anagray

Has anyone able to do both and has the employer met your needs?

A close friend of mine did work and continue breast-feeding but it took a bit of creativity on her part. She is also a nurse and worked out an agreement with her employer that she would absolutely be guaranteed a 30minute break sometime between 6 and 7:30 in the evening. Her husband would bring the baby (and their other two children) to the break room. The younger children also benefited from seeing mom before bed and it enabled my friend to continue breast-feeding.

In exchange for the guaranteed time with her baby, she agreed to give up her two breaks during her shift so that others would get a break. Everyone benefited.

Of course this is not possible for everyone, but it maybe an idea that someone could use.

I do hope that something can be worked out, as the time we have with our babies before they are grown is so short and precious.

You will be in my thoughts,

C