Breastfeeding in the Hospital??!!

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I'm starting my first hospital position next month, and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to breastfeed there. Currently I work at a doctor's office and I go home for an hour during lunch to pump and I'm able to hold out again until I go back home. But being at the hospital for over 12 hours, I'll have to pump twice! I don't want to pump in a bathroom, I think that's gross. Do they generally allow you to go to a room for 15-20 mins a couple times during the day without issues?

Are there any moms here who pump(ed) at a hospital? My son is 5 months old.. and I'm trying to do it until he's a year old or close to it. My goal is at LEAST 6 months.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

A lot of hospitals have lactaction lounges for that express (haha!) purpose. I've known more than one nurse to successfully find times to pump during 12 or even 16 hour shifts!

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sl1011 thanks for asking this question. i would like to know as well. can you share with me what you do for daycare? that is another concern of mine. thanks.
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sl1011 thanks for asking this question. i would like to know as well. can you share with me what you do for daycare? that is another concern of mine. thanks.

do you want to know where i send my child and stuff, or about me sending breastmilk?

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Specializes in PICU.

Aye most hospitals have a policy about breastfeeding employees, you typically just have to find someone to cover your patients for a smig while you do it, typically in a lactation room. You should get a half hour lunch and at least a 15 minute break. With all the women staff in hospitals i'm sure they'll be understanding, don't sweat it :)

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

You should be allowed a 10-15 minute break every four hours...the length might vary from state to state and any union contracts....but you need to plan on using your breaks for pumping.

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Do you want to know where I send my child and stuff, or about me sending breastmilk?

I meant the child:). I'm still trying to figure what moms do for daycare with 12hr shifts. Center hours aren't long enough. Sorry for being vague with my question.

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Check your state laws. http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389

I printed a copy of the laws pertaining to my state and carried it with me for the first couple of months I was breastfeeding. I pumped during classes and clinicals- often sat in a closet with a chair against the door using a hand pump to crank it out as quickly as I could. I was a student and had no control over my day....but had understanding (to a point) instructors. I used an insulated lunch bag to hold all my "works" plus the pumped milk. I cleaned it out every night and did it again the next day. I actually found the hand pump easier and faster sometimes than my electric pump.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

Our hospital has a breast pumping room in the post partum unit. It is open to all employees.

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Specializes in maternal child, public/community health.

there is a little known provision in the health care reform about breastfeeding:

what does the reasonable break time for nursing mothers law do?

  • section 4207 of the patient protection and affordable care act (also known as health care reform), amends the fair labor standards act (flsa), or federal wage and hour law. the new provision states that employers shall provide breastfeeding employees with "reasonable break time" and a private, non-bathroom place to express breast milk during the workday, up until the child's first birthday.
  • download the text of section 4207 only.

what types of employers are covered?

  • all employers covered by the flsa are included, but those with less than 50 workers do not have to comply if they show that complying with the law would cause "an undue hardship by causing the employer significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer's business."

if you goggle it, you will find more information.

it is certainly possible to maintain your milk supply while working three 12 hour shifts a week. breastfeed often when you are with your baby. it is much easier with an older baby who will soon be on some solids (if he isn't already). with all the health benefits of breastfeeding, it is worth the effort to pump at work. if you run into any problems, seek out a lactation consultant early on when it is easier to remedy whatever challenges you are facing.

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I would check with the hospital's L&D or postpartum unit. NICU might also have a place for you, as they usually try to accommodate moms with babies on the unit who want to pump for their kiddos. I remember pumping in such a room when one of my kids had to stay a few extra days and that was many years ago.

I'm glad the law specifies a "non-bathroom" place for pumping.

Good luck with your quest. Thanks for doing this for your child.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I work in a hospital that's pretty supportive of BFing/pumping moms. We have a pump room; however I am on mother/baby and we also have several pumps for patients who need to use them while visiting their baby, and employees are able to use those pumps as well. I switched jobs while my son was an infant and actually found the hospital admin/policy more supportive of pumping than the office setting I was in prior. Your mileage may vary, of course, but most hospitals in my area recognize the need to accomodate employees who are pumping for a baby.

My advice to you: 1) Stay hydrated, not always an easy task for a floor nurse. 2) Do your best to stay caught up so that when you need to pump, you can take that break. Obviously there will be times when that won't happen; hopefully if you make the effort you'll be able to pump on a semi-regular schedule. Good luck to you, and I know your little man thanks you. :)

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