December 2015 Moms

walked in on pumping at work

Hi all...I should probably reintroduce myself...it's been awhile since I've posted here. And when I was more active I more so read different discussions rather than commented. I was due Dec. 29...and my baby boy arrived Jan. 1. I'm coming here simply because I feel more comfortable with you ladies, even though most (if not all) will just wonder who the hell I am.
But...I need to bitch...and I would love to hear any advice, or some to bitch along with me so I don't feel alone.

I returned to work over a month ago, and I've been pumping while there. My first day back I was walked in on by another woman who is a mom, so while embarrassing I got over it. Because shes a mom too, and knows the whole ordeal. I learned from this and decided to make a sign that said "DO NOT DISTURB- Pumping Mom in session"
Today, I was pumping in another room (I work at a preschool, there is no designated room for me, but on certain days of the week rooms are 'reserved' only for me) while I was sitting I look up to see two custodial staff peeking through the window and as soon I looked up and made eye contact they turned and walked away. Not 5 minutes later, another custodial staff member completely walked into the room. As soon as I heard the door begin to open I began shouting that the room was occupied, but they came in further and I shouted that I was pumping in attempts to cover myself up while not spilling milk everywhere. He looked over at me and stared for a few moments (not in a creepy way- but I could tell he was processing what was happening) and apologized and left. I'm already a painfully shy person and extremely private, and just....I was completely mortified. I guess, I'm just bothered and staff knows what I am doing, it's been communicated on multiple occasions, I have a sign, I lock the door, and....I'm just ticked off about it. I feel like I have the right to be bothered, of course I immediately went and spoke to my director about it...and she was apologetic but didn't really say much else of anything that she would do other than talk to staff again.
Typing this, I feel like I'm being absurd and I should get over it...but these are people I see and talk to everyday...and to have it be 3 people in one session. Am I being totally ridiculous? Would anyone else be upset by this? Has anyone else experienced this at work? What did you do?

Re: walked in on pumping at work

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  • It's fine to feel mortified.  I work at a college and admit I'm not very shy about pumping BUT I understand the people around me might get weirded-out. In the last week I have had two occasions where a student walked in while I was pumping and left the door hanging WIDE open when they left the room. One did it twice in a night!  Your comfort and privacy are important, so don't be discouraged or embarrassed to stand up for yourself.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I put a big swaddle blanket around my neck to hide the breasts, but I do it at my desk, next to four other people (2guys and 2 girls) our whole office is opened, never closed. And all the walls are glass. So I cannot find any private place anyway. The perk is that I can work at the same time so can pump as many times a day as I want! I feel really proud of it.
  • I take my baby to work with me and sometimes just breastfeed him at my desk. I throw a swaddle blanket over or keep it nearby, but I just refuse to be embarrassed if somebody sees me. They could just as easily see me in a restaurant or at the mall. I don't flaunt it, but I don't kill myself to hide either. I guess right now for me boobs are utilitarian body parts, just like legs or noses.
  • I feel like pumping is so different from feeding because of the clear flanges. I don't care who sees me feed my son but pumping I hide. Right now I am in an office with a wall of windows. The only place without Windows is the bathroom so I wear a cover while I pump. When I was at the school I would pump in a closet in the nurses office. She walked in one time and acted like it was no big deal. I guess she noticed me trying to cover up so she explained that she had previously been a nurse on a maternity wing and was available if I had questions. Even so still bothered me because my nipples were visible and she didn't even ask if I was OK with it. The window creepers would have sent me over the edge. You have every right to your privacy. 
  • I'm late here but I agree that I'd be more pissed about the window peepers. Creepy.
  • tepr14tepr14 member
    @colsen4 Yep. I now also wear a cover while pumping- to be honest, I really feel like I shouldn't have to. I roll with it though, it's added security for my peace of mind.

    @BostonBaby1  
    Yeah...the window peepers....I wish I knew who it was. Very creepy. Thankfully, I've been moved to a different room with no windows that actually has a chair! I have no idea why they didn't think to use the room previously...but at least I don't have to worry about any window peepers anymore.
  • Ugh, that sounds terrible! Not trying to be nosy but were boobs like totally out? Did you have a cover up? I have the grey and white striped one from target. It looks like a giant scarf and I used it to feed my twins while my dad was visiting at Christmas. Hope that helps a little. 
  • tepr14tepr14 member
    @cedixon2 Yeah boobs totally out, but I at least wear two shirts since having LO for feedings and pumping at work, so I just lift my shirt and have a tank top underneath so my stomach isn't out too...so I at least had that going for me? But yeah learned from the experience, and I now take a cover with me so I don't have to worry.
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