Pumping at Work???

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a new graduate (Aug 6th), and I was offered a job at a large Family Practice near my home as an RN. I interviewed while pregnant (37 wks) and I hadn't graduated yet. But she called me the next day after checking references and offered me the job. Anyway, I plan to go start when my baby is 6 weeks and I am exclusively breastfeeding. I didn't even think to ask about how this will work while I'm at work. I have a double electric pump that I started using a few days after i got home and I have a nice supply in the freezer already.

Do any of you pump at work whether it be at the hospital, doctor's office, school, etc? How do you do it, how often, where, and is your employer supportive of this? I'm worried it could be an issue :(

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
Legally, the employer may have to accommodate you, but don't be surprised if there are issues with other staff.

I was a floor nurse, and was floated into a 4 bed unit, with another RN. I was not familiar with the unit, and not particularly comfortable working there. The other RN went into a room, closed the door, and pumped for a lengthy period of time while I was stuck being responsible for her patients as well as mine.

I do not have positive feelings toward people pumping at work, or anything else for that matter. I think people should come to work to work.

WOW! A bit harsh I'd say. I used to pump at work...usually twice a day. This was in my "pre-nursing" days. My coworkers were always supportive. It's bad enough to have to leave the little ones, but at we I was always able to leave my milk for them. Good luck to you and your little one!

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I worked with several mamas who pumped and we never had a problem. Granted, this was in the hospital setting, but it was the best thing for their babies, which is what we all wanted in the end! We would all cover their patients, they would go to a locked room for 15 minutes or however long it took them to pump, and they would just let us know when they were back. No big deal! Congratulations on your new job, your new baby, and the decision to breastfeed!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm a guy, so I dont' have first hand expierience with this. But, during my OB clinicals in school, I remember my instructor pointing out a room on the unit that is only for employees, so they can pump. It even had pumps in the rooms for them to use. Apparently the hospital encouraged their employees to pump. And I've heard stories about the lactation consultants making new mothers cry until they agreed to breastfeed, lol. I'm not sure if they were allowed time to pump, or if it had to be done during a lunch break though.

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I did it for 2 babies..........i had alot of support within the hospital setting!

Totally do able!

I pumped on breaks or if it was quiet, everyone thought it was great and they would even ask me if my boobies were ok (when we were too busy for breaks!)

Your little one will adjust to comp feeding with a bottle and i cant even describe how lovely it was to walk in the door after work and have a cuddle and a feed with my little ones...........made it even more special!!!!

Congrats on the new job and enjoy the time with your baby.....they grow up way too fast!!!

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I pumped in between classes when I was in school. I had a hard time relaxing and was unable to pump much milk. I would go home engorged most days. I could not wait to nurse my baby. This affected my milk supply tremendously. I ended up supplementing with formula. Since your going to be working for a family practice, I'm sure they'll be understanding of your situation. Good luck.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I used to pump in an open L&D room. I'd sit in the rocking chair and watch bad TV. I found that I would let down well for Frasier and Sex and the City, but I wouldn't let down well for Animal Cops. It was quite strange. Sometimes if I was really sleepy, I'd rest my head on the over-bed table, with my pump flanges attached to me, underneath the table. Once I fell asleep that way, and my charge nurse came in 30 minutes later and knocked on the door and peeked her head in. She saw me sleeping with my head on the table, and the pump still going, attached to me. She just closed the door and let me sleep.

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Yeah, I work out all the time...wait......you meant.....ohhhhhhhh...nevermind.

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Congrats on both the new job and the new addition to your family!

I am still pumping for my 11 month old (my second child). I am a staff RN in a hospital. What I do is pump immediately before I leave for work, then on my lunch break at work about mid shift (about 20 minutes pump time of my 30 min. meal break). I work 8 hr shifts. I then pump immediately after my shift ends at work before going home.So, I go about 4-5 hours between pumping. It's a little longer than I would have liked, but there is no support for me to do this twice in a shift. I get some support and positive encouragement type comments from other RN moms, but for the most part I think nobody cares either way. And honestly, if some people don't like it, too bad. I don't need their stamp of approval. It's your break time, and you have a right to pump milk.

My hospital doesn't have any private rooms for staff for pumping. So I usually pump in our staff breakroom or sometimes a clean storage room. I cover up with one of those nursing shawl type covers, so you can't see anything if coworkers walk in. I want to applaud all moms who pump at work! ;-)

I find it very disappointing and sad from reading previous posts on this thread that some staff cannot even find time to take a *real* break from their work and be able to relax off the clock like they are legally supposed to, let alone pump milk for their infant. That's not a healthy attitude in my opinion. I did the whole "skipping breaks" thing for a few years as a new grad and it really burned me out. I go to work to work, but I don't work for free! That means that I do not work for free when I am "off the clock." So, if you clock out for lunch, and pump milk...good for you! In my home state, you are supposed to also get additional time (maybe another 15 min) to pump besides your meal break. Talk to your coworkers and staff ahead of time, to let them know your game plan for pumping. Then just do it. It's so good for your baby and for you. It does take some work and planning, but you can do it. Talk to La Leche league leaders or lactation consultants in your area if you have any problems! :up:

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I worked in a research setting and had a private office attached to my lab that I was able to pump in. I made a sign that said "Experiment in Progress-Do Not Disturb," to keep people form knocking or trying to enter while I was pumping. I got the hang of pumping hands-free or one-handed and would go online while I pumped or watch streaming tv while I pumped. It is important to make it relaxing and enjoyable so that you keep up with it. If you stress about it, rush or put it off too much you are more likely to have more problems.

Also make sure to eat enough and stay hydrated, you would be amazed at how much you actually need while pumping and nursing. On days I had a low supply, drinking 20 oz. of water and eating oatmeal helped alot.

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I was working as a paramedic doing 24 hr shifts and breastfeeding my son. I went back to work when he was 12 weeks old, and even pumped in the back of the ambulance a few times when we went on an extended ETA, out of town call. :rolleyes: I even had to use a bathroom occasionally to express when I was out without my breast pump. I usually threw away the milk as there was not refrigeration available. But it was doable--I just kept track of how much frozen breast milk I had, and would even pump on my days off. So doing it at work in an office sounds like a luxury!

The crew I worked with even came up with a que word to let me know I had "rings" on the front of my shirt!

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Specializes in Mom/Baby.
Legally, the employer may have to accommodate you, but don't be surprised if there are issues with other staff.

I was a floor nurse, and was floated into a 4 bed unit, with another RN. I was not familiar with the unit, and not particularly comfortable working there. The other RN went into a room, closed the door, and pumped for a lengthy period of time while I was stuck being responsible for her patients as well as mine.

I do not have positive feelings toward people pumping at work, or anything else for that matter. I think people should come to work to work.

Wow, I'm glad I don't work with people like you...

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I did it for 2 babies..........i had alot of support within the hospital setting!

Totally do able!

I pumped on breaks or if it was quiet, everyone thought it was great and they would even ask me if my boobies were ok (when we were too busy for breaks!)

Your little one will adjust to comp feeding with a bottle and i cant even describe how lovely it was to walk in the door after work and have a cuddle and a feed with my little ones...........made it even more special!!!!

Congrats on the new job and enjoy the time with your baby.....they grow up way too fast!!!

Thank you :)

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