Generally, work has been supportive with regards to my breast pumping. I was given a quiet, private, convenient place to pump and no one has complained about me leaving work for about 15 minutes every four hours to go pump. But, there have been a few “gentleman” coworkers (not bosses) who have been a little, shall we say, over dramatic about the situation. Some comments have been funny, for example, the guy who told me, “Thanks for bringing that excellent coffee creamer!” referring to my stored milk in the refrigerator. But there are a few who act like my pumping and breast milk is totally disgusting. And, quite frankly, it’s not!
I am of the opinion that my commitment to breastfeeding my son is rather remarkable. It is not easy lugging that 10 lb. pump back a forth to work and being on call every 2-4 hours at night for feedings (more like 2 now with the teething…) So why do it? It is healthier for Elliot, saves a lot of money, and, more personally, it helps me to make sure he doesn’t forget about me during the day. I am gone for 8-12 hours for most of the days in the week and it’s nice to be able to walk in the door at home and have Elliot waiting for me to kick off my shoes, sit in a comfy chair, and breastfeed him.
I’m not waving it in people’s faces that I am pumping, but I’m not going to hide my breast shields every time I walk to the bathroom after pumping to clean them. In fact, when I am asking to be excused to go pump I usually say something crazy discrete like, “I need to go take care of something regarding feeding my child.” And I do understand that it is kind of weird to feed someone your bodily fluids, natural though it may be.
So here’s the deal. Razz me if you must. I understand that it is probably all in jest. I won’t make any big stink (although my husband likes to throw around the phrase “hostile work environment”). But if you are going to be juvenile about the situation then I WILL be juvenile back. So if you’d rather not hear me talk about details about pumping or show off my collected milk then keep your disgust to yourself. Alright, we cool?
love the onsie
the baby
the dedication to feeding breast milk
go girl!
I agree, dedication to breast feeding should be admired, not ridiculed. Some how Americans got this crazy idea that baby formula is “natural”, but it was originally intended to be only for emergencies.
On another note, is he not sleeping longer at night yet? Kahlan’s only waking once around 2 or 3 and then sometimes around dawn. Even so, I think it’s just cause she rolls herself over and can’t get to sleep on her back.
Sleep is for the weak…
That’s my rockstar!
Insightful.