Breastfeeding and Work

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

I've never had this issue personally, as I have no kids. But we've had several nurses on our unit that have no problem finding time to go pump. We all help each other out though and they're not gone very long, so it's never been an issue.

nici1978 · Jan 26, 2008

actually in my hospital it is allowed and my co-workers just asked the charge to watch there patients, they did it usually in not used rooms or the pedi unit

i even think in most states it is the law to allow new moms to pump during working

nici

SillyStudent, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

On my floor, the charge office is open to BF moms for pumping. At my old job, they actually had cubicles and hospital grade pumps :) (bring your own attachments and tubing)

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jan 26, 2008

The thing is to find someone willing to cover while you're pumping. At my old job, we had a nurse who was always having babies it seemed and some of the other nurses were rather hostile to her about all the pumping time.

But I had breast fed all my kids for nearly a year each, and I was glad to cover her patients while she was busy. (And she in turn covered for me while I took a bit longer lunch in return for allthe time I covered for her). The NM gave her a private room to pump in, and nobody minded.

That being said, I had my youngest while I was in nursing school and had to pump in the bathroom with a hand pump. That was a blanking pain in the butt, but I did it.

The job I have now is more "office-y" and we had a recent new mom nurse whom they gave a private room to and she pumped when and as often as she liked.

pirap · Jan 26, 2008

I worked a busy med/surg floor 8 hour shifts(3p-11). I managed to pump at least twice on my shift. My average pt load was 6-7 patients a night. Anyway yes you can pump while at work. Most states for a 12 hour shift you get 2 fifteen minute breaks and what 30 minutes to an hour for lunch? HAHA..probably don't take it all the time..but yes you are probably entitled to this time. I asked a fellow co-worker to "watch" my patients and maybe occasionally hold my pager and ONLY respond to emergencies or to give a pain med. It took me less than 15 minutes to pump. I believe a patient can wait especially if all they want is a soft drink or snack or to ask "Do you know when Dr.X is rounding?" During the six months I pumped I only had 1 patient that got mad when I took "too long" and when I said sorry I was busy with "something" and I asked what he needed he replied, "Oh, I was wondering if you could tell me what was on the menu for supper tonight?"

Don't think twice about pumping on the job. If you have co-workers that complain, tell them to refer to their years studying OB/Maternity nursing. "You know if I breastfeed my baby she is less prone to illness so in the long run I will not have to call out as much for a sick kid." Seriously, I never encountered a problem pumping at work. If you are worried about it speak with your unit manager-chances are they shouldn't have a problem with it! I work around a lot of pumping moms now and I don't have a problem helping them at all!

TazziRN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

i've worked in two hospitals and both were supportive of breastfeeding moms. i was pumping at my last er and because whatever my baby got was exclusively pumped, i had to pump every two hours and it took about half an hour each time. my coworkers were great about helping me out, and the house supe was willing to relieve me if it was too busy for my partner to cover by his/herself. most of the time i ducked down to ob and used an empty room. if they were full i would use an empty er room or even a medsurg.

organicpanic · Jan 27, 2008

I worked at 2 different hospitals during my breastfeeding/pumping experience. One was very supportive. The other had no area for pumping and hardly any supportive coworkers. I heard things like, "Isn't he like 6 months old by now. Do you really still need to BF him anymore." Not only that, but I had to stand up in the bathroom in order to pump. People knocked on the door asking how much longer every time I was able to pump. Breastfeeding was super important to me. So, even though the conditions were poor and there was no support - I still pumped. Work is just work, but your baby is everything. Best of luck to you and congrats on your baby.

Justhere, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2008

Hi DZCarrie,

I am Breastfeeding and pumping at work. I work in the nursery so I have a visiting room I go to where I can pump. I work 7p to 7 a. I usually take a 20 minute pump break at 1030 and at 0300. We eat lunch at the desk so the other nurse I work with usually doesn't mind me being gone for 20 minutes. But usually with that amt of time I get two bottles usually 3 to 4 oz each. And my daughter usually only takes a 3-4 oz bottle for each feeding, so I'm getting two feedings that way. I have a Medela pump-n-style that I take to work with me and it does great. I usually am through pumping the majority of the feeding in 7 minutes, but I usually have another small let down that gives me another 1/2 oz around 15 to 20 minutes is why I take that long if we are not busy. If we are running our tails off then I'm usually through in 10. Having a double breast pump helps out alot with the time.

Testa Rosa, RN · Jan 27, 2008

Congratulations on your efforts to BF at work. Good for you!

I recommend the Medela Pump in Style--I bought the back-pack version and used it through three kids.

The double pumps work fast. I could hold them up with one hand/forearm, and use the other hand to eat a snack or read a magazine. I felt like I had a break and took care of my baby at the same time. It has a built in cooler to keep things cold during the commute home too.

Many work places have dedicated rooms with hospital grade pumps and a fridge. If so, you would just need to buy your own attachments. I would call HR to find out what might be available to you. I was able to get a large corporation in San Francisco to set up a nursing room just by talking to HR about the benefits.

The mom's that shared the pumping room at the large corporation where I worked would just leave the bottles attached to our funnels and tubes and put the whole thing into the fridge in our own plastic bags. This way we didn't have to break things down and clean after each pumping. We would only do this at the end of the day after our shift when we went to pick up our milk and go home. Those funnels would be COLD when I went in to pump in the afternoons, but doing it this way meant I was only out of circulation for about 10 minutes. It also helped that I had my own machine and didn't need to take off my own tubes, just my funnels.

Be prepared to do a lot of catch up nursing during the nights....as exhausting as it is; it was always my favorite time to get in my cuddles. My youngest just turned four and hasn't nursed in years, but I look back fondly on those nights.

Drink lots of water. You might want pick up some "Mother's Milk Tea" at Whole

Foods or your local health food store. It might have been my imagination, but I think it helped with milk supply (I used to use fenugreek tea too, but can't remember which helped more...I know one of them did). Big pats on the back mamma. Give your little one a kiss for me.

Berto

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2008

I currently breastfeed and pump at work. I don't work 12 hour shifts though... I work 8 hour shifts and pump twice a shift. It can be done. I have a Medela PIS and I generally pump 15 minutes. I do take Fenugreek and that helps with supply and pumping output.

Good luck to you! Congrats on your baby and breastfeeding! :)