Hi ladies,
Need advice. I received a summons for jury duty next month. My daughter will be 8 months old. I am breastfeeding her. Since I stay at home and am pretty much with her all the time, I've never pumped or done bottles before. She does eat solids - purees and some finger foods.
I can't postpone the jury duty - I've already postponed it twice and they told me I can't postpone again. In our state, there aren't any laws etc. regarding breastfeeding moms and jury duty. They have a pumping mother's room at the courthouse and they also provide free offsite childcare (although my husband would be able to watch her).
I got a double electric pump via insurance when she was born, but we just moved, have everything in a storage unit packed to the ceiling, and I CANNOT find it!

I asked insurance and they said they can only provide one pump per calendar year obviously.
I'm trying to decide what to do! There's a chance they won't even pick my number that day (that's happened several times over the years). Hubby thinks if I do get called in and tell the judge I have a baby and have to pump etc. they will excuse me on the spot. But I really have no idea how it works. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a pump to start building a stash just in case (and to have it to pump at the courthouse)? Would a manual pump work for this? I know double electric is best...I would have to buy bottles, storage bags, etc. too...or maybe she'd take it from a cup (she takes water from a cup)?
Should I take a chance that I won't get called or will be able to get excused? I hate going to all this trouble for something that may/may not happen. I think she'd be ok with solids and even formula (although she's never had it) if I had to be gone, but I'd still need something to empty my milk while I was at the courthouse. I don't know! I am stressed. I have always wanted to be on a jury! The timing of this is just hard, I wish it was a year later. What would you do? Thanks in advance!
Re: WWYD - Breastfeeding & Jury Duty
It caught his attention BC I breastfeed DD.
I would look for your pump or buy a hand pump. I'd try to start offering a bottle soon though to let you daughter try it a few times.
That said, I'd bet you'd be excused. I had jury duty last month and 50 people were called for voir dire for the 12 jury spots. I'd say 20 people were excused for various "hardships" ranging from financial (they work hourly and can't miss that much income) to being a sole caregiver for a child or the elderly. If they were to seat you on the jury they'd have to know that you'd need a break every 3ish hours to pump or nurse.
The childcare is offsite, they contract with various daycare centers in the County.
We just moved from a house into a rental condo while our new house is being built. All our house stuff is in storage until we move next year. I've gone to the storage unit to try to find the pump and I cannot find it! I know it's in there but boxes and and furniture are packed to the ceiling.
They did let me pick the week I want to get the summons (after postponing twice).
I appreciate the advice!! Trying to decide if I should rent an electric pump or buy a manual...