Pumping at work

Pumping at Work
There is no doubt that some working women find it hard to schedule breast pumping into their schedules. It is important to talk to your employer (ideally before you have your baby) and to find out your state's laws. When I took classes, I had to pump in a corner of a hallway but I did it. My mom in the 1970s was one of the minority who breastfeed. She used to sit in the corner of her company's break room and hand-pump -- thanks mom!


Section 4207 of the law amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.Code 207) to require an employer to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express milk. The employer is not required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time for any work time spent for such purpose. The employer must also provide a place, other than a bathroom, for the employee to express breast milk. If these requirements impose undue hardship, an employer that employs less than 50 employees is not subject to these requirements. Furthermore, these requirements shall not preempt a state law that provides greater protections to employees.


Here are breastfeeding laws by state.


It is extremely important for working moms to have a good quality breast pump and to make sure that they pump as often as the baby would feed. Do not be shy to call your lactation consultant the moment that you suspect your supply going down. They can help you fix that! 


Some of my friends kept their pump at work so they did not have to carry it back and forth. They would either wash the breast cups at work (if there was a good place), wipe them down with cleaning wipes, or put them in a zipper bag and bring them home for washing. 


If your pump does not attached to your bra, you can make it attach by using big rubber bands to connect the breast cup/tube to your bra strap. Then you can sit hands free and get work done or read a magazine. Moms often enjoy this peaceful time and find it relaxing and productive.