Um, is there a discrete way to say "breast pumping"?

GrayGhost13 · April 2011

One of my nosier (male) CWs just gave me a very strange look when he saw me emerging from the storage closet with a cup of tea, pen and paper and my iPod. I have a feeling next time he sees me, he will be asking me what the heck I am doing in there.

Is there any way of being honest without embarrassing the guy and myself? I feel strange saying the word "breast" to a CW, but I don't want to joke around or be coy about it either.

Anyone else had to deal with questions about their pumping?

lilmgirl · April 2011

It actually might be a good learning opportunity for him to MHOB. I'd make it as awkward as possible.

GrayGhost13 · April 2011

lilmgirl:
It actually might be a good learning opportunity for him to MHOB. I'd make it as awkward as possible.

Yeah, I know this guy's gonna turn 10 shades of red if I say "breast" to him. I was trying to be kind, but maybe he deserves it. LOL

honkytonk_kid · April 2011

Just saying "Oh, I'm pumping." To me that's kinda like NIP... if you don't get flustered and embarrassed other people are less likely to as well.

If he asks "pumping what?" (and surely he won't... please tell me someone wouldn't be that awkwardly clueless) give him a blank stare and say "Breastmilk."

curlydoglover · April 2011

Meh. I say tell the truth without glossing over. If he's all embarrassed about the word 'breast', that's his problem.

With my close co-workers - half of which are male - and it comes up (say we're trying to schedule a meeting) I'll say "I need to go pump."

If we're in mixed company or out in public, I'll say "I need to take care of things." And the only reason I gloss it then is cause, really, the Exec VP of Student Relations or the waitress at Bar Louie doesn't need to know I'm breastfeeding.