Everything continues to go well on the breastfeeding front. I was able to pump such a surplus during maternity leave that the husband is almost convinced that we need a second fridge just for the freezer space. He, however, is not convinced that we will us all of the stored milk. I keep telling him I used it all during the year that I nursed Peanut so it should not go to waste with Gizmo.
Gizmo is getting up two or three times a night to nurse. She actually went eight hours (8!) the other night without feeding. It turned out to be a bit of a fluke but it was lovely nonetheless. When I told the doctor how long she slept, he patronizingly told me that he understood it could make a mother nervous when the baby starts to sleep like that but that I shouldn't worry. I told him, "This is my second child. I wasn't worried. I was just happy to be sleeping."
The best part about this time is that I found the lactation room in my office. That's right. A room actually dedicated to breastfeeding mothers. I didn't bother asking when I had to pump for Peanut so I spent the year pumping in a unisex bathroom with a chair. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great.
This time, I asked for an alternative. I was led to a room with special code only given to lactating mothers. It has two comfy chairs, a fridge AND an old school electronic Medela pump that if you had the parts for, you could use. Seriously. It is away from the high traffic areas of the building so it is quiet. I couldn't believe it. It made me even more thankful that I work for this company.
I only have one issue. And I will state up front that it is very minor. I haven't figured out how to explain the black pump bag that I am often seen carrying off to the lactation room, especially to the men in my office. Many of those that work with me directly know what I am doing when I disappear two or three times a day. I just grab the bag and tell them I will be back in a few minutes. I also take my phone in case of emergency (I work in a newsroom. You never know what could happen from one minute to the next.)
But those that don't know have given me quizzical looks. One asked if I was going to lunch but then seem confused when I went in the opposite direction of the cafeteria. I think some of them have put two and two together and don't ask.
So here's my question. How do I discreetly explain the black back to my coworkers that ask (yes, I know it is none of their business but people are bound to ask and I am not embarrassed to tell them. I just don't want them to feel embarrassed for asking.)
Friday, March 4, 2011
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11 comments:
Almost no one asked me -- but if they did, I just flat-out told them. They didn't ask again. Pumping makes people so uncomfortable.
I felt uncomfortable carrying mine around too...but I think most people knew what the bag was (parents). I don't know if I ever told acquaintances what I was doing, if they asked if I was going to lunch I just said "no", maybe said something about time to feed the kid and they were a bit embarrassed but got it. It was worse if I ever needed to rinse out pump parts in the sink - which I rarely did, just stuck them in a ziploc and into the fridge with the bottles for next round. Any way you could leave the pump in the lactation room in between?
Wow...how awesome that you have that resource!
If you're not embarrassed, be honest. I think people are more comfortable with the word "nursing" than "breastfeeding" or "pumping." Just tell them you're a nursing mom. If they still don't get it, they can ask for more specific details. But I doubt it!
And good for you for your sacrifice to nurse! You WILL use all that milk!
No one asked me either, but if they had I think I would've busted out with a simple, "Oh, it's my pump for nursing." That way I wouldn't have had to say "breast" to a co-worker.
Yes, I am that Victorian about my boobs.
Hmmm, I guess you could just say, "It's my bag" or "a breastpump"
Either way, they probably would be satisfied (and possibly embarrassed) by the answer and not ask again.
I was always honest too.
Do you mind sharing when you have/had the time to pump extra while nursing full time? I can't seem to figure it out.
I had a few students who knew what I was doing when I "went to the closet" of the teacher workroom. They were seniors I had known for a long time and were in my study hall, and I only told them because they asked. It grossed them out, but I didn't really care. I figured it was a good lesson in birth control, biology, and/or bodily fluids. Besides, my students know if they ask me a question, they get an honest answer, no matter how awkward it is. So, Michelle, I would say follow Hillary's lead: if they ask, answer honestly. And I'm glad you have better space than the bathroom!
I always just said I was "doing mom stuff." They generally figured it out from there.
Since you won't be embarrassed you should just tell them it's your breast pump. Little steps like that just make breast feeding more acceptable to the general population, and no one should have to pump or feed in a restroom; I'm glad you asked your employer this time.
How great that you have a room for pumping!
And I would find every way possible NOT to say the word "breast". When I flew with my breastpump, the security dude asked me what it was and I said "my pump". He looked at me like I was speaking Greek. So I said "my pump? So that I can bring milk home to my baby?" and he got it, both of us blushing bright red but neither of had to say the word breast, which made us both happy, I think.
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