Police officer moms

Beautifullgirl · May 2014

I'm a police officer and first time mom. My son is 9 weeks old. I will be returning to work in about 3 weeks and as you can imagine I'm a little nervous about how everything will shake out. Luckily my mother will be able to watch him a few days a week while me and my husband are at work.

I'm 9 weeks postpartum and still recovering from a c-section. I'm breastfeeding my son and it is going very well. I'm concerned about pumping during my 10 hour shift.

Are there any other police officer moms out there who can share any advice and their story about returning to work? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Lena122 · May 2014

I'm a police officer on patrol with a 17 week old. I've been back to work and pumping for a little over a month now. I work a 12 hour shift so I pump 4 times a day (one of those times is at home before I leave for work). So far it's going well. While I'm sure the command staff and even my squad mates aren't thrilled that I do it, I haven't received any negativity about it. I pump at specific times each shift and my dispatchers know this so they don't send me to calls during that time. There has been a handful of times that I've had to delay my pump time or have had to pump early because of a complaint but I've been able to mange so far. I have a decent freezer stash so that makes me feel better about having to cut a pumping session short if I have to.

My goal is to make it to 6 months and then a year and I'm getting close to that first one! Let me know if you have specific questions! I know there aren't a lot of BFing police officers.

Beautifullgirl · May 2014

Oh my goodness finally a female officer who breastfeeds. Thank you so much for your comment. Female officers in patrol who breastfeed are few and far between.

I work a 10 hour shift. My department is trying to get things ready for me once I return at the end of the month. I get the feeling this is the first time they have dealt with this.

Did you have a vaginal birth or c-section? I had a c-section (this was not in my plan but the baby decided otherwise). I'm still healing and concerned about wearing my uniform and duty belt over my incision.

Lena122 · May 2014

I know what you mean! I did some research on it a few months ago and couldn't find anyone in a similar situation as me!

I had a vaginal birth. Has your doctor cleared you to return to work? I've never had a c section but I imagine it would be painful to wear the belt after having one. I might try to get the doctor to only clear you for a light duty assignment until you heal completely.

babymama619 · May 2014

Have you asked over on the c-section board?

jllmb79 · May 2014

with DD#1 I was lucky enough to not return to work until 5 months PP. I also had a csection and at 5 months out I was a little uncomfortable with my gun belt on. I worked federal law enforcement and we bid for details and I chose a desk Job for 1 yr so wouldn't have to worry about where I was going to pump if I was out in the field.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · May 2014

I'm the wife of a police officer and I just want to commend you and the other police officer mom's who are pumping at work. Pumping is hard enough, but doing it with the unpredictability of your job would make it even harder (or so I'd imagine). Good luck!

Beautifullgirl · May 2014

Thank you so much ladies. You have given me hope as a new mom who works and wants to continue breastfeed.

DahliaFlower · May 2014

I would also just like to give you due credit for planning to keep BF while returning to work. I am not a police officer, but a medical professional in a male dominated field. It has not been easy to BF my DS while working crazy hours without regular breaks, but somehow I've managed. Like PP said, the boys may not be thrilled about it, but my feeling is: too damn bad! While it has not been easy, it is the most rewarding thing I have done after carrying my two babies. I wish you well!

Mfiebeck · November 2014

Hey ladies. I am a officer aswell, due to go back in a month. I am very nervous about hitting the streets and breastfeeding, as I become very engorged and painful if I do not get milk expressed. My department is about 100 so we aren't too large and I have no idea how my sergeant is going to be ok with me saying I need to hit the station every 2-3 hours to pump. I was thinking about asking command staff for a desk position, but we have to bid for it and I do not have much seniority. Help! How is it going for you guys?

jenn43 · November 2014

You guys are amazing! I'm not a police officer, but I do have a tough job (surgeon), and have managed to keep pumping. I'm fortunate to have a really supportive hospital. @Mfiebeck- how far away are you from the station? Could you pump somewhere along your normal patrol route? E.g. Babies R Us has great lactation rooms. Maybe there's something like that so you could save time by not having to go back to the station...

Mfiebeck · November 2014

Thanks Jen, unfortunately I couldn't just stop somewhere and pump while working. I need to be available to respond quickly, and taking off my shirt, vest and undershirt to pump isn't ideal when I need to get up and go quickly, The babies r us in my area is not sanitary at all, becides I wouldn't feel comfortable pumping in a public place where I patrol, thanks for the advice though!

DecafGrandeMocha · November 2014

I just want to thank you ladies for putting yourselves on the line everyday and for those of you whose spouses are LE, thank you too! I'm not returning anytime soon, but I thought pumping at work as a hospital RN would be hard. Wow, you all gave me a new perspective! T&P for your safety.

Lena122 · December 2014

I'm sure my sergeant wasn't thrilled with it either but he also didn't have a choice. I went to HR about a month into my leave and said I'd need 3 pump breaks a shift and they notified my sergeant. We have about 50 sworn officers and only 3-4 officers on the street at any given time. I got really good at taking everything off and putting it back on quickly.

About a month ago I got switched to a desk job. But I made it 7 months pumping on the road! DD will be one next month!

jaminjeff · December 2014

Definitely go to HR if you're worried about your supervisor's reaction. They can address it for you and help you through the motions of it before you go back. I'm not a police officer but I work for a PD and we have a female officer that just went back. I'm on ML now so her and I will have to share the room we will pump in. They haven't given her problems and it's right off of dispatch, so they know when she's in there and won't give her calls at that time.

Want a personalized experience?

Police officer moms

Re: Police officer moms

Choose Another Board

Search Boards