Women share what it’s really like to pump breast milk at work
Some gushed about pristine pumping rooms, but many others had less pleasant tales
Adapted from a story by The Washington Post’s Amy Joyce.
Earlier this year, The Washington Post’s On Parenting section ran an article explaining what is required of companies that have workers who need to pump. In response, the section received nearly 200 stories from federal employees, emergency workers, teachers and others at companies large and small. Some gushed about pristine pumping rooms, but many others had less pleasant tales.
The law for working moms
An employer, no matter its size, “has an obligation under the law to provide the space necessary to allow her to express milk in private and to have the time to do that,” says Bob Simandl, a lawyer with von Briesen & Roper who focuses on employment and labor law. The area needs to have a locked door and no windows, or a covering over the windows.
- A room with a lock
- Of course, the pump, which typically costs about $300. (Many pumps are now covered by insurance under the Affordable Care Act.)
- Sanitized bottles, storage bags, tubing and other accessories
- Some very proactive employers provide a hospital-grade pump, and nursing moms bring their own equipment to hook up to it
- A space to set the equipment while pumping
- Sink to clean the equipment
- Refrigerator to keep the milk cold
- Microwave, so the equipment can be sanitized after every pumping session
What women said:
→ “Yes, there were roaches, but it was awesome to have a room with a door that shut and a place to wash my pump parts.”
→ “I bought a car adapter for pumping in the back seat of my car, which I had to park on the street. By the time I got to my car and got set up, some days I pumped for 15 to 25 minutes and barely got anything.”
→ “It was about as close to perfect as you could ask for. My workplace has a windowless room with a lock and code to get in. The lock triggers an occupied sign so others are aware. Inside is a mini fridge, seating, soft lighting, lavender aromas and the best part: a Medela Symphony (hospital grade!) pump that you only need to bring your own tubing, flanges, valves. Also pump wipes, nipple ointment, breast pads … truly the best setup you could ask for. I consider myself very, very lucky.”
→ “There was a metal folding chair I could use, but it honestly felt like I was being locked in a dungeon.”
The worst stories come from women with clueless (and in some cases crude) co-workers or bosses. Some reported male co-workers trying to peek, or banging on the door when they knew a woman was pumping. Others had co-workers tell them that they wished they could have a “break” like pumping mothers do. (Not only is pumping physically demanding, but many of the women we spoke to continued to work while pumping.) And some co-workers and bosses expressed frustration with schedule disruptions. But pumping can’t wait: A woman needs to pump at regular intervals to avoid leaking, pain and potentially serious infections.
The best stories are about organizations that understand the transition for women returning to work after having a baby.
What women said:
→ “Luckily, I have a private office with a locking door; I pump in my office with a hands-free bra so I’m able to work. I brought in a mini fridge so I could store my milk privately. My supervisor is also supportive (he awkwardly asked if I needed anything the first day and now kindly pretends he can’t hear the pump through the wall).”
→ “I’ve gotten comments like ‘Oh, can I watch?’ in response to learning that another pumping co-worker and I shared a space while pumping at the same time.”
→ “The CEO of the company used to announce when I was going to pump by singing a little song for everyone to hear: ‘Pump, pump, pump it up.’ It was so embarrassing.”
→ “I had to pump on the floor of our server room. Our IT director went on and on about not wanting all of ‘that’ going on around his equipment.”
→ “Luckily, my management is very supportive of my transition back to work, so the time to pump is not seen as a negative on my work product. (I actually get quite a bit of emailing done and taken a few conference calls while pumping.)”
For many women who don’t work in an office, pumping may feel nearly impossible. This includes teachers, retail and fast-food workers, women in the military, and women who must travel often for work. (Trying to get through the Transportation Security Administration with dozens of ounces of breast milk adds another layer of difficulty; one mom suggested using frozen peas as ice packs.)
What women said:
→ “I pump in our open break room. I work in fast food. I cover up with a blanket, and people walk by or come in since it’s a break area.”
→ “While on military duty, I had to pump using a manual pump in the woods, with a few Marines standing guard around me to ensure no one invaded my privacy, as if I really had much at that point.”
→ “I had to pump in my classroom during lunch and my conference period (when I wasn’t in meetings). I was frequently walked in on by custodians and other staff, despite having a sign on the door and locking the door.”
With the “patchwork of laws” that provide protections (including the Affordable Care Act, Title VII and the Fair Labor Standards Act), “even the most well-meaning HR departments may not be on the cutting edge of this,” says Tom Spiggle, owner of the Spiggle Law firm in Arlington and author of “You’re Pregnant? You’re Fired!”
“If you are paid an hourly wage, chances are you’re entitled to” pumping breaks and a clean, private room to pump in, he says. It pays to know what’s required and then ask for it. Employers and employees can educate themselves by reading the requirements on the Labor Department website.
What women said:
→ “My bosses and co-workers are all very respectful about accommodating my need to pump, and I hope things continue to go this smoothly until my daughter is 1 year old. I realize that, sadly, my scenario is probably less common, and my heart goes out to all those moms who have to fight for their rights to pump, or must do it in less-than-ideal conditions.”
→“I have to say that they make it extremely easy for returning mothers. They even have a lactation nurse that we can see if we are having any issues.”
→ “When we went to administration about the dangling cord and infestation of ants, we were to told we were lucky to have the space. And guess what? We felt lucky to have this space.”
