Discouraged... (BF'ing)

kmcrn08

I really, really, really, want to breast feed our LO.  Right now, it seems like everything is working against me to keep this from going as well as I would like.

 While I was drying off after my shower a few nights ago, my right nipple REALLY hurt. I looked down and saw a pin point speck of blood on it?! When I looked closer, I found that I have a tiny skin tag on it. TINY- but stings like crazy. So I get to put that on my list of things to have checked out at next OB appt. Really hoping she doesn't yank it off. Yay.

At work, I found out that the new RN will share my office with me. I was planning on pumping while continuing to work from my desk, with my door shut/locked. Although she will work out in the community a lot, it would not be fair for me to shut her out of her office. Our breakroom at work is large and open,so it is pretty much out.  I am not looking forward to pumping in the bathroom.

Also, with my job, I am in and out of the office at very irregular times... when a patient calls, I have to go. It is seeming like more and more of a hassle to try and accomodate pumping into my schedule. I already have to tote around "real" nursing bag with medical supplies, now a breast pump in a bag, too? And what if I get in the middle of a long procedure in a client's home and need to pump? The thought of pumping on the side of a dirt road in the middle of nowhere makes me want to cry.

I guess what I am really getting at is this: Anyone that has successfully breast fed/pumped while working in weird conditions? Any suggestions? 

 

Slosey

I'm sorry hun! That does sound like it would be discouraging.  Wish I had some advice for ya :-(

Milo5181

I think maybe you should post this question over on the Working Moms board. There are lots of moms who pump there and there are some who are in the medical field so they might have some advice/experience to share.

Ceefome

How many people work in your place of employment?  If it's over 50, I'm pretty sure there's a new law that states they have to provide you somewhere other than a bathroom to pump.  Have you checked with your superiors about making arrangements to do so? 

There are options.  If pumping doesnt' work, you may still be able to BF before and after work, and your body will regulate to the schedule. 

Try not to let the thought of what may happen discourage you from trying to BF.  Work on establishing your supply in the first few weeks, then see what you can handle.  BF'ing isn't necessarily an all or nothing situation, and hopefully you can figure out something that works for you!

swrlygrl

a friend of mine would pump all over the place, she had a double electric and would just stick them on and drive or while she was siting at her desk on the phone. Don't get discourage yet until you give it a try.

Ask around at work I use to give up my office to a coworker so she could pump, honestly it wasn't a bother since it seemed like it was only like 15-20 minutes.

lovemytannerman

I would also ask on the breastfeeding and working mother board. They will proabably have some good ideas for you.

cosmobella

Try not to get discouraged. The idea of pumping at work will become more comfortable once you've been BF for a while. You can work out the logistics later.

It can be done. I pumped twice a day at work in a shared office until my LO was a year old. Our office is semi-private and she was supportive (although she wasn't a mom so she didn't really get it). I used a nursing cover (I kept one at work) and was discreet about changing. It wasn't a big deal. I did it because it was important to me.

I try to tell all new moms this if they plan to pump: try to start pumping once a day when your LO is around 4 weeks old to build up a freezer stash. It will come in handy when you go back to work.

CAB'smommy

I agree with pp, check and make sure that your employer doesn't have to provide you with a place to BF.  Or maybe you can work out a schedule with the person you share your office with.  I'm sure being an RN they would be accomodating.  And also get the car adapter and pump while you're driving.  If this is something you really want to do, do whatever it takes.  Don't get too discouraged.  You can work out something.  

honey740

https://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.165.htm#165.031 

Sec. 165.033.  BREAST-FEEDING POLICY.  The department shall develop recommendations supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding that address the following:

(1)  work schedule flexibility, including scheduling breaks and work patterns to provide time for expression of milk;

(2)  the provision of accessible locations allowing privacy;

(3)  access nearby to a clean, safe water source and a sink for washing hands and rinsing out any needed breast-pumping equipment; and

(4)  access to hygienic storage alternatives in the workplace for the mother's breast milk.