Pumping at a conference?

AAllemang · October 2013

Hi Ladies,

I have been a long time lurker and really appreciated hearing everyones advice for heading back to work. Seeing that everyone else survived helped me get through the first couple of weeks

I have a work conference next week with a jam packed schedule from 7am to 6pm... I know I can find time to pump between sessions but I am concerned about where. I would really prefer not to use a bathroom stall (ewww) and would probably use my car if it really came down to it, but it would be a lot more time consuming. I was considering emailing the general manager (who is, of course, a man) to see if they could help? What do you all think? There are some sales managers who are women, but does this fall more under the general manager territory?

Anyways, I was considering sending an email with the following:

I have an unusual question and was unsure who to direct it to, so I hope that you might be able assist or direct me to someone who can.

I am a new mother and am curious if there are any empty (lockable) rooms/offices available that I could use to express breastmilk? Worst case scenario I can use my car, but I thought I would ask on the off-chance that a better solution exists.

I will also post this in the the breasting or EP forum.

Thanks for any input!

blondie10m · October 2013

Where is it at? We had a work symposium at a hotel and I actually called the hotel and the event planner hooked me up with a great room with a fridge.

AAllemang · October 2013

It's at a conference/event center where they do weddings, parties and big events like this one- so no hotel room unfortunately

Who did you initially talk to when you called the hotel? Did they direct you to the event planner? I'm just new to all this so I'm not sure to how to approach someone.

jf198400 · October 2013

Don't worry about it. I had to email the male HR person about pumping when I changed jobs. I would go ahead and send your email to the person in charge, don't be embarrassed, they've seen it all before.

thedash · October 2013

I think the venue may be able to help you directly. There may be an empty office or something. Just be specific about what you need in case the person you're talking to doesn't know. For example - a chair, power outlet, door that locks, etc.

ss265 · October 2013

I think it wouldn't hurt to ask the event manager. Initially I was embarrassed about being open that I was nursing and needed to pump but over time, I just got used to it and became more open. There were so many situations where I had to ask for special considerations (on site work trainings etc.) that after a while, I didn't really care who I had to talk to about it. Just tell yourself that the guy is probably married with kids so it shouldn't faze him.

Jess082111 · October 2013

Some conference/convention centers have what they call a "nursing mothers" room. I would start by asking for that. I have gone to two conferences since I had my baby and both had a room with everything already set up.

Fullcircle06 · October 2013

Anyone at the venue should be able to help with this. I work at a place where we have on site training classes, and we've gotten that question many times before. I would definitely ask, though (maybe an event planner), because I bet they do have something you can use. It's really not than uncommon, I doubt they'll even blink at your request. GL!

blondie10m · October 2013

They were completely booked for hotel rooms at that hotel symposium I was at. I actually was given the showroom with all the wedding options to pump in. Just contact the event planner for the venue, which is who I was put in contact with. I got nowhere contacting the planner from my company, never returned my email.

Red_Dahlia · October 2013

Ditto asking someone at the venue. Even if they don't have a designated nursing mothers room, they may have another suitable room (like a first aid room).

Karla CS · October 2013

No real advice, but if you're uncomfortable about asking a man, I just wanted to say that for anything baby related, I've found men to actually be more accommodating then women. Maybe it's because they have a wife at home who would beat them over the head if they weren't, or they're just afraid I might use the word nipple in front of them, but seriously, all of the men (minus a few really young coworkers) have been awesome (and the younger guys have just been awkward)

AAllemang · October 2013

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I will give them a call tomorrow to put my mind at ease. I also really appreciated hearing that this is not an unusual request