What do you think about a nurse breastfeeding infant at nurse's station during break?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 23, 2008

I don't think a nurse should have any break at the nurse's station and I do not think she should be on the clock while tending to her infant, so she ought to go where she and baby can have quiet time. What would she do with the infant if a patient needed her STAT?

Wise Woman RN · Jun 23, 2008

Not much... hopefully there is a more private area for her to feed her baby... nurses stations are always notoriously crowded, and places for nurses to sit are at a premium, at least in every hospital I've ever worked at... Not to mention that although breastfeeding is a natural thing, not everyone wants to see it in a public area... Just my two cents.

rnin02 · Jun 23, 2008

Is it an "open" station, right in front of the patient rooms, so patients can walk right up to it? If so, then I think it is just a tad bit inappropriate! A little unprofessional to nurse your baby in front of patients. If its more of a break room, separated from patients type of thing, that would be somewhat more okay with me. But I would hope the nurse would take her coworkers feelings into account before breastfeeding in a work area...why not take it to a lounge/break room area where people aren't working? Just seems weird/off to me to breastfeed your infant where everyone's trying to work.

mitchsmom · Jun 23, 2008

Just assume that work space, breaktime, etc. isn't an issue; just asking more purely from the breastfeeding viewpoint.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2008

I am just glad it is HER infant!!!--Our hosp does not have on site day care...so our nursing moms go to a nice lactation room with a comfy sofa, fridge, TV and magazines....but if we did have a nursery and you wanted to go nurse your baby, wouldnt there be a location there near the day care, vs toting your infant back up to your floor and to your work station??.... I dont get why someone would want to do that....the only reason is if they were not working---say on maternity leave and up visiting and the baby was hungry and they still wanted to chat with their friends/nurses who were working...was that the case???

mianders, RN · Jun 23, 2008

Every hospital I know of has a policy against nurses eating and drinking at the nurses station. I think this would fall into the same category. Besides this, it may seem inappropriate to some patients and families. I would think they should go to the breakroom or someplace more appropriate.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jun 23, 2008

I see that as being a private thing, and an opportunity to bond with an infant. Making it public seems tacky, IMO. :no:

clhRN2b2010 · Jun 23, 2008

From a personal opinion, if work space and break time aren't an issue...what's the problem? Certainly, there is an appripriateness factor, but assuming she isn't heedlessly flashing breasts all over, I don't see the issue. Why would patients be uncomfortable? Is she strolling into their room with her baby attached? Are her fellow nurses uncomfortable with it? and why?

Seems to me like a great way to encourage breastfeeding.

I would applaud her for making a commitment to nursing her baby while working. It is not easy.

rnin02 · Jun 23, 2008

Just assume that work space, breaktime, etc. isn't an issue; just asking more purely from the breastfeeding viewpoint.

I don't have any issue with a nurse breastfeeding her infant during her break, I think it would be inappropriate to do so in an area where patients/visitors would be around and possibly interacting with staff. It seems very unprofessional to do that. At my hospital our nurses station are open and patients and visitors can walk right up and talk to us while we are charting, etc.

Pinkster · Jun 23, 2008

Since it is a L&D floor she would be a great model for future mothers.

Breast feeding is natural, and it isn't difficult to cover yourself with a blanket so that her and the baby are covered since exposed breasts would be inappropriate.

We need more mothers who can breast feed to to so. I personally feel that if her workplace is allowing her to and she is not flashing others, then great for her and her baby.

crysobrn · Jun 23, 2008

I am one hundred percent a supporter of breastfeeding/returning to work and continuing that relationship but I have a feeling there could be issues with a nurse breastfeeding at the desk. I mean what if someone walks up and gets the wrong idea, that this nurse is breastfeeding random infants??

I would think there is probably a more appropriate place, a breakroom, even an empty patient room. I wouldn't pump at the desk, so unless there were NO patients I don't think I'd be sitting there nursing either.

After I have this baby (my third) if I do go back to 12 hr shifts I'm thinking dh maybe bring the baby up to nurse before bed as long as I'm not super busy. I have always thought I'd go to a room where patients and visitors aren't just walking around.