What is a "PC"/polite way to tell superiors/bosses....

beachgirl24 · January 2012

I am a paralegal working in an attorneys' office. I am EBF and need to pump 2-3x a day. I am entitled to two 15 minute breaks a day, which I do take and I shut my door (so grateful I have an office with a door!) and hang up a sign that says "Please do not disturb. On break-back in 15 minutes."

The other support staff is mostly women and they know that I'm pumping and are totally supportive. Although I really only have 2 bosses, there are a few other attorneys with whom I work with/for who might stop by my office and see the door closed they may wonder why I'm asking for privacy every day.

I know, technically it is none of their business and I dont have to explain myself but I'm anticipating that at least one may just jokingly ask what kind of top secret stuff is going on or something, and I just wanted to have a vague but professional answer ready. I was thinking I'll just say, "oh nothing special, just baby stuff" or something like that. Or maybe I'll say that I must meditate twice a day to keep my sanity!! Its just embarassing and I'd rather not have my male superiors envisioning me breastfeeding or pumping or something, LOL! Any thoughts?

desdemona39 · January 2012

You could just say that you like peace and quiet during your breaks... though I am confused as to why the truth would be embarrassing.

mamabrof · January 2012

I think you should just tell the truth. It will probably keep them from being nosy next time. There is no reason to be ashamed of pumping for your baby. You are doing a very selfless and awesome thing.

alliapistor · January 2012

I am an attorney and had to put the Do Not Disturb sign on my door because I didn't know how to answer people when they knocked. After about a week or so, most people picked up pretty quickly that I was pumping. For the others, I just told them that if they needed to meet with me that they should email or knock first because I am breastfeeding and need to pump daily and don't want it to be awkward for either of us. Everyone has been very understanding. Many of the women have also pumped and many of the men have wives who did and understand.

beachgirl24 · January 2012

I guess I just kind of wanted to be private about it, didn't really want to have to discuss it a few particular attorneys I work with. My boss is awesome, his daughter is trying to BFright now too, I did tell him and I wasn't embarassed to talk to him about it, its just a few of the others that I didnt feel like talking about it with.. It's kind of an old school good ol' boys firm if you know what I mean!

ksulli · January 2012

For some reason I find it easier to tell men that I "nurse" my daughter rather than "breastfeed" her. Maybe just say "I nurse my child when we're together, and need to manage that while we're apart"

BeetleLinz1125 · January 2012

ksulli:
For some reason I find it easier to tell men that I "nurse" my daughter rather than "breastfeed" her. Maybe just say "I nurse my child when we're together, and need to manage that while we're apart"

I agree that saying "nursing" just feels a little more professional. I am sure they will only have to ask once! Just tell them you're a nursing mom and you are just making sure that your LO has food while you are at work tomorrow. (since most of us pump for the next day).

Broadway1 · January 2012

beachgirl24:
I guess I just kind of wanted to be private about it, didn't really want to have to discuss it a few particular attorneys I work with. My boss is awesome, his daughter is trying to BFright now too, I did tell him and I wasn't embarassed to talk to him about it, its just a few of the others that I didnt feel like talking about it with.. It's kind of an old school good ol' boys firm if you know what I mean!

Believe me, they are more afraid of you than you are of them Smile I've had this happen a few times at work. As soon as I say the word 'nursing' and 'pump' the person who asked starts frantically apologizing and backing away from the conversation.