Pumping in public?

shellbell3845 · April 2014

So DH is having outpatient surgery today, and we'll be at the hospital long enough that I'll need to pump once or twice. Last time I was here with him, the receptionist set me up in an empty office. This time the clerk isn't as helpful. My options are bathroom or waiting room. I know my rights about NIP. Are they the same for pumping? Can I sit in the corner and pump (I brought my nursing cover)? Obviously not ideal or my first preference...but I've gotta do what I've gotta do.

I may also go in search of a female receptionist who will be more sympathetic to my needs.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

Thanks, @greenbunny79‌. I prefer to not have a big publicity thing.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

@Bookshelves‌ No maternity ward. I do know there's an employee pump room. I am going to try to ask about using that. Especially since someone just settled in with a laptop in my corner.

sprashley · April 2014

Hope things go well with your DH today!

shellbell3845 · April 2014

Thanks, @sprashley‌!

The nurses here are great. They found me a private area and asked to see pics of LO. Much less awkward than waiting room pumping!

iwubrory · April 2014

Glad they helped you!!!

slwprincess · April 2014

Go to the office for the hospital chaplain. I've used their office to pump before.

ETA: oops just saw your solution. Glad it worked out.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

slwprincess said:
Go to the office for the hospital chaplain. I've used their office to pump before.

ETA: oops just saw your solution. Glad it worked out.

That's a great idea that I'm going to file away if I ever need it!

inluv4life2 · April 2014

Glad it worked out. I was going to say "rock that pump!" You are
Making food for your baby!

slwprincess · April 2014

greenbunny79 said:

BMBrinson said:

I pumped waiting at an airport Gate for a flight. I just pretended it was normal. I got a few looks but whatever. There was no way I was going to try and balance everything in a tiny Bathroom stall. Glad they found you some place. I agree with @inluv4life2‌ rock the pump!

You are my hero. I brought my pump on recent flights and swore I would do it then, but chickened out. How did you do this? Where did you sit? Did you put the cover on and then set everything up underneath? I need details!!!

I have done it once in an airport before. I just found an empty gate with a wall outlet. Sat down on the floor and faced away from the terminal- towards the windows out... maybe some of the crew got a lil show ;-) No really, I just got everything out and ready and put my nursing cover over me and then hooked it up and did my thing. Nobody could have possibly seen anything but I will say I was still extremely nervous and barely got a letdown. Just enough to keep me comfortable until I got back home.

I have also used a handpump in a bathroom stall at a fancy theater to see the Lion King. The stall wasn't latched well and someone walked in on me. Her face was priceless. Of course, that also killed my letdown and I was pretty darn uncomfortable for the rest of the show. Just more reasons why I embraced combo feeding. I hate the pump enough as it is without adding additional stress.

But I will say that the chaplain thing was just a lucky break for me... my mom was having surgery and I was desperate. My endo is in that building and I figured they would let me use one of their exam rooms but it was lunch time and they were closed! My dad is a pastor and suggested the chaplain's secretary might know of a place. She was like, "oh sure- he's not even here today and he's got a comfy couch!" Perfect!

Ibliss · April 2014

I recently went on vacation to Mexico without LO. I used a hand pump for all public pumping but it was difficult. I pumped in a bathroom stall, on the airplane a few times, in a van with several strangers, and on a boat. I was super nervous the first few times and got a lot of looks but my rational was I am providing food for my baby even if she wasn't with me.

I just used a nursing cover and my husband as a shield.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

@elf828‌ I've pumped in the car while H was driving! It was dark out, so I wasn't worried about people seeing. It felt a little weird though!

And thanks! His surgery went well...now to recover.

Pumping in public?

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