Pumping at work

Allibob

I have a few questions for those of you who pump at work. I scheduled my first shift next week, and I'm trying to figure out the logistics. 

1) Do you have a hands-free device or system you use? I really need to be able to type during my pumping time to not get behind, and I'm curious what most people do. If you use a pumping bra, what do you wear to work? On that note....

2) What do you wear? I won't always be able to lock the door, and if I'm typing, I'll actually be facing the door if someone accidentally walks in. Scary thought...Also, I have minimal time to set up, pump and get back to work, so I'd like to streamline the process as much as possible.

3) Tell me if this seems right or not: The department administrator is on vacation, so her assistant is setting up my schedule. She is clearly confused about how pumping slots work, and hasn't done this before (neither have I, but I have some friends who have). She just called and told me that they will have me start my shift late and end early, and my pay will be docked accordingly. I've never heard anyone mention cutting their pay for pumping, and it's usually time set aside in the middle of our 4 hour shifts. I work per diem, so I am an hourly employee with no benefits. Just curious if anybody else had this experience.  

Thanks! 

epopp85

I don't have ideas about the cutting pay, but as far as what to wear, I just wear a normal nursing bra that snaps down and use rubber bands to attach it to my pump horns.  This is a horrible picture, but like this model on kellymom.com.  It's fast and I can keep working.  If you have a nursing top on, you can even cover up most of the time.

mben1119

1. I used a manual pump, so no.

2. I wore a nursing bra, and a shirt that was lightweight enough to lift up, or a surplice-cut to pull to the side.

 3.  Federal law mandates you get 2 unpaid pumping breaks a day.  (r)

(1) An employer shall provide?

(A) a reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for

her nursing child for 1 year after the child's birth each time such

employee has need to express the milk; and

(B) a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free

from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by

an employee to express breast milk.

23

 Sec. 207(r)(2)

 

(2) An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee receiving

reasonable break time under paragraph (1) for any work time spent for such

purpose.

(3) An employer that employs less than 50 employees shall not be subject to

the requirements of this subsection, if such requirements would impose 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.

(4) Nothing in this subsection shall preempt a St 

savvyash

1.  I have the freestyle and use the hands free device that comes with it.  I hate it.  i wish i had bought a hands free bra instead (but too cheap to do so now)

2.  I wear a uniform, but underneath I wear a sleeveless nursing top with a nursing bra.  Some bras work better with my hands free device than others.

3.  No advice, sorry. If you aren't getting paid, I wouldn't worry about working through the pumping session.

 

Not to be in your business, but I would absolutely lock the door or pump some elsewhere if at all possible.  And I don't know how your supply is, but I have to concentrate on pumping (not working) to get enough milk out.  I have to relax, drink water, and massage to get enough. 

 

Good luck. 

smilelari

1 - I use a Medela brand hands free pumping bra

2 - I wear a nursing tank so there's minimal undressing. If you're worried about being walked in on you could use a nursing cover.  I put my pump parts together at home so that there's minimal assembly.  After pumping I put the parts in a bag and put them in the fridge (and don't clean between).  I clean parts at home.

3 - This works however your employer wants it to.  The law requires they provide a time and place.  They do not, however, have to pay you for time that you are pumping and not working.  It does sound like you could keep working while you're pumping and if you are working you should be paid for that time.

Vieve831

pretty much the same as Smilelari - I use the hands-free system that came with the freestyle and I also have a hands-free bra I purchased from Medela. Depending on the bra I'm wearing determines which hands-free system I use. I also assemble my parts outside of work and refrigerate between sessions. 

I work 9:00-5:00 and try to get in about 15 mins early to get a session out of the way. I then pump over lunch and shortly before leaving. I am salaried so the paid/unpaid time is not really an issue. I pump for about 15mins, but it takes about 20 minutes when you include set-up, etc. I usually check email or type while pumping.

I don't wear dresses to work but otherwise I wear whatever I want. I would feel very uncomfortable knowing that people could walk in on me pumping at any point. If there is the risk of that and no other options then a nursing cover would definitely be a good idea!

Froggy76

1)  I use the Simple Wishes hands-free pumping bra.  I only put it on to pump.

2)  I wear the same kind of stuff I would wear at home to BF- nursing bras/tanks and shirts that are low cut or that I can just lift up.  I would not feel comfortable knowing people could walk in on me.

3)  I'm not paid hourly, but I don't think it matters what they do as long as you are getting paid for your non-pumping time.  Although, if you are working while you pump, you should talk to them about that.

alidubes

I use the medela hands free bra and consider it a must have. I also assemble all the parts at home and set my pump up in my pumping area in the morning before I start work. When I get a break I just pop the bra on and pump away. This leaves my hands free to have a snack, lunch or play games on my iPhone. I only take about 10 minutes to pump but save yourself time and have everything ready. I rinse parts in-between with hot water but do a thorough washing at home later. I am salaried so there is no docking my pay. Zi have expressed to my coworkers how important this is for me so they have all been very supportive!

jnealet

I think you've gotten some good advice but I would also check with HR, if you are typing and working while pumping, then your time shoudln't be docked.

I would also suggest making a sign to hang on your door while you are pumping.

mattschic

I use something called Pump Ease (google it...I can't here at work)...and it has literally changed my life! LOL!  It's not a hands free bra--it goes OVER your hands free bra which is SO much more convenient! 

 Put a sign outside of your door so people know not to come in.  A lady here used to put a picture of a cow on the outside of her door when she was pumping, lol!!! :-)

kalamarie16

I have the Pumpin Comfort Kit by Pumpin Pals (they have a website), and absolutely love it. It comes with a hands-free strap that hangs around your neck and helps to hold the bottles in place. It's really hard to explain and takes a bit to get the strap adjusted so that the bottles hang in the right position, but it works great once you do. The kit also comes with 3 different sized shields - I can use both the medium and large (there's also XL), and for me it's so much more comfortable than using the shields that came with my Medela PISA.

At work, my office has a little window. I've just hung a sheet of paper over it that says "please do not enter." People know not to just come in when my door is closed and the sign is visible. I wear a nursing bra for quick, easy access. I suppose you could pump underneath a nursing cover if you're really worried about someone barging in, but I don't know how well that would work.