Work: 1 pump break in 8 hrs?

Lurker216 · December 2010

My employer (less than 50 employees) just told me today that 2 pump breaks totaling 25-30 minutes each (including set up and clean up) were too demanding on my part as someone has to relieve me in order to go pump. My morning pump session is typically in place of a morning break but requires an additional 15 min over the usualy break duration. I really like my job and employer other than this one issue. I'm the only nursing mom and other employees are complaining because we're short staffed and I'm getting breaks and they're not. I don't want to have to throw the law in their face since under 50 employees could be exempt from the pump breaks if they show that it causes "undue hardship"

Anyone take only 1 pump break at work and still not have to supplement? I'm currently pumping after his morning feeding and get 6-8 then and about 4-5 for the other 2 pump sessions per day. I work 7-3, and DS is 5 mos old and EBF.

Thanks, this is stressing me out.

chocolatechippy · December 2010

I am curious to see what others say. I am returning to work in 2 weeks and can only take one break at noon. My plan is pump while driving into work (at 7ish), pump at noon and then pump while driving home ( at 4:30). It will suck. AND I work in a hospital, but I see patients every half hour so I can't take other breaks.

Kmac-06 · December 2010

That sucks. That said, I would tell your manager that you understand it is hard on the other employees and you are willing to do a one month trial to see if one pump break will work for you. I would pump before work, around 11, and then immediately after work at 3, and see if it works for you. Hopefully your supply can adapt to the changes. If not, i would approach your manager about it again at that point.

Does your LO STTN? Maybe you could add a pump session right before you go to bed if needed.

mrsfirefly · December 2010

I'm a SAHM so I don't really have experience with this, but I do know that the law entitles you to one break per 4 hours. Do you have a lunch break when you can also pump? Or can you add in a couple of quick 5 minute pumps here and there? I pump twice a day for only about 5 minutes each just to get milk for solids. I only get 2 or 3 oz at those times since it's so quick, but it would be something. I personally would have to supplement if I worked because I have low supply, so I feel for you and wish you luck! I don't know how working moms do it!

Lurker216 · December 2010

He was STTN but we're in the middle of the "wakeful" phase.

cindyhow · December 2010

That's too bad they are not more supportive. You might remind them that BF babies are sick less often so in the long run it will benefit them - you will miss less work.

do you do breast compressions while pumping? that can really help get the most output in shorter amt of tikme, can you pump for 10-12 mins and be done in 15-18 mins? I have it down to just about 20 mins. It can be done if you are fast and have the routine down.

Otherwise I would do as pp suggest - pump right before work, 11 am and when you are done. Hang in there!

babywhoknows28 · December 2010

It sounds like you have pretty good supply, which is good for exclusively breastfeeding, but you may become engorged at 8 hours. I work basically 8-5, and when I first returned to work, I pumped 3 times (every three hours 9-12-3). I now pump twice (10 and 2), but I have really struggled to keep my supply up. I would worry that I would become engorged and then begin to produce less. But, I hear that you body adjusts - so yours may. Also, to get extra milk, I pump before bed (I put dd to bed at 7:30, I go to bed around 10). AND at times when I'm low on milk, I have been known to set my alarm for 2:00 AM and I get up and pump. This only works of course if your little one is sleeping through the night. Good luck - its worth it!

bbwgirl · December 2010

I am a nurse and can often sneak away only once in 8 hours or 2 (if i am and lucky) in a 12 hours shift. I nurse in the morning and pump right after. then i pump at lunch. when i get home i either nurse right away or pump. I just pump before bed on the nights i work. It is not ideal, but it works

mrsbnlmel · December 2010

I can say for a fact this would never have worked for me. When my supply really regulated around 6 months or so, I had to pump at least twice a day to keep my supply up. Prior to that I was freezing excess daily. You might have better luck, but I would really worry that if you see a drop it would be very hard to bring it back up.

Jaffytaffy · December 2010

Could you try and do 15 minute nursing breaks? Or stay a little late to make up time? I work 8-4:30 and pump for 10 minutes (15 min total including clean up) at 10 am, then for 20 minutes at 12:30 (my lunch break), then another 10 minutes at 3 or 3:30. Better to only pump for 10-15 minutes than to have to cut out a session altogether.

thehimwithher · December 2010

yes it's doable! first off, can you shorten your pump time if that would help out your boss covering you? i keep my pump parts in fridge and don't worry about cleaning b/t pumps. any pump is better than no pump...even if just 5-8 minutes to 'stimulate' your body to make milk.

also, i'm a nurse so i'm never sure when i may get to pump. usually i pump on my way to work while driving (hands free bra, cover, ect) around 6 am, during my lunch break around 11 am and then again around 3. my time to leave varies so i sometimes also pump on my drive home. if it works out in the morning i pump at 10 am and then get a 'real' lunch break w/ my coworkers but that doesn't happen too often.

if i didn't get to pump like i wanted or am worried about my supply, i pump before i go to bed that night around 10 pm.

i did this schedule w/ my dd#1 and bf'd her till 12 months.

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