Totally random, but do you tend to choose what you wear to work differently when pumping? I just bought several new dresses because they are more comfy than pants and then remembered that I'd be sitting there pumping mostly naked since you can just take off a shirt. Awkward! My office moved since I was on leave and I know I have a cube now so my pumping location is still to be determined.
BFP #1 on 2.13.11, MM/C 04.11.11 @ 12W, 1D
BFP #2 due on 2.17.12 - Happy Birthday Brooks 2.11.12
BFP #3 on 11.14.12, M/C 12.3.12 @ 7W, 1D
BFP #4 due 12.11.13- Happy Birthday Taylor @ 34w, 2d
- 30w+1- pPROM and hospital bed rest till DD comes
I always layer a nursing tank under everything. I work in a more casual office so it works really well under shirts, sweaters, etc. But I've never worn a dress while pumping so no help there.
Yep, I tried to wear tanks or shells with cardigans so that I wasn't sitting there in the mother's room naked. The couple of times I forgot and wore a dress or something that forced me to be naked made me feel weird, but it happened occasionally.
Honestly I would return the dresses if you can. It's way too awkward for pumping. I've been semi-walked in on a handful of times. This is why I always sit with my back to the door. I also wore nurse tanks under a button up shirt.
I purposely bought dresses that allowed me to access the girls without having to strip. That was a fun test in the dressing room. Gave me more flexibility in my clothing options so I didn't always have to wear pants or a skirt.
I purchased a really over-sized, long, cardigan that I plan to keep at work for pumping. I figure no matter how much i need to strip down I can just throw it on and wrap it around me if I need to cover up quickly.
I would return or exchange them. Access to my boobs is one of the criteria for dresses for me. I work in a small office and pump in an empty office with a door with no lock and have been walked in on twice. Definitely glad I wasn't sitting there in my underwear when that happened!
Ok, this helps! I think a sweater or button down in my bag will help! Half naked is better than all naked! I hate to be limited to only pants since I'll have to buy a size that won't fit in a few months...the dresses I got are my pre-preg size at least. Thanks for everyone's response!
BFP #1 on 2.13.11, MM/C 04.11.11 @ 12W, 1D
BFP #2 due on 2.17.12 - Happy Birthday Brooks 2.11.12
BFP #3 on 11.14.12, M/C 12.3.12 @ 7W, 1D
BFP #4 due 12.11.13- Happy Birthday Taylor @ 34w, 2d
- 30w+1- pPROM and hospital bed rest till DD comes
Yup, no dresses while I was pumping (or nursing). I wore a stretchy cami under all my tops so I could pull the first layer up and the cami down and still be mostly clothed while pumping. It's nice to be able to wear dresses again.
You can still wear dresses you just need ones with zippers that you can pull down to your waist and a nursing tank. Wrap dresses are also good. I think my favorite dress is my Banana Republic wrap dress. I have my own office that locks but sitting in my chair in my panties is just weird. I always wore a nursing tank and always used a hands free pump bra when I was pumping. I loved the bravado basics tanks from Target because they are sliming, comfortable, and not crazy expensive. I never wore I cardigan while pumping, but I do wear lots of cardigans.
Re: Pumping at work
BFP #2 due on 2.17.12 - Happy Birthday Brooks 2.11.12
BFP #3 on 11.14.12, M/C 12.3.12 @ 7W, 1D
BFP #4 due 12.11.13- Happy Birthday Taylor @ 34w, 2d
- 30w+1- pPROM and hospital bed rest till DD comes
It's nice to be able to wear dresses again.