Comments on: Expressing http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/ Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:39:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marie http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Marie Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:59:11 +0000 http://www.wifeandmommy.com/?p=902#comment-526 Really excellent post on an important topic. Thank you! Really excellent post on an important topic. Thank you!

]]> By: Wife and Mommy http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/comment-page-1/#comment-521 Wife and Mommy Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:29:25 +0000 http://www.wifeandmommy.com/?p=902#comment-521 @Heather - I will never understand the attitude of pumping in a restroom. That's just sick and wrong. @Heather – I will never understand the attitude of pumping in a restroom. That’s just sick and wrong.

]]> By: Wife and Mommy http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/comment-page-1/#comment-520 Wife and Mommy Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:27:53 +0000 http://www.wifeandmommy.com/?p=902#comment-520 @nanchan - I agree with you on all counts. I am saddened that it has turned out this way...but I am hoping the press on this will shed light on such an important topic. I'm also doing what I can to ensure that people are aware of the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. @nanchan – I agree with you on all counts. I am saddened that it has turned out this way…but I am hoping the press on this will shed light on such an important topic. I’m also doing what I can to ensure that people are aware of the Breastfeeding Promotion Act.

]]> By: Heather http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Heather Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:55:04 +0000 http://www.wifeandmommy.com/?p=902#comment-519 This is something that definitely deserves more attention. At my federal agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, we have two lactation rooms per building. However, when I worked in the ironically female-dominated field of teaching it was quite challenging for me to find a place to pump; I too was told I could 'always use the restroom'. I had to beg teachers for use of their rooms (as mine was in use during my off-periods) and was constantly worried about the room being unlocked by a colleague (despite signs that the room was in use). I did use my room during lunch, which was fine until I started making the transition out of teaching and my room was given away. My colleague who took over the room assured me I could continue to pump during lunch until the first day she took over the room, at which time she chatted with students during what was supposed to be my pumping time. Unfortunately, this continued. Breastfeeding mothers in every occupation need a dedicated space with a fridge just for breast milk where they can feel safe. Being an employed mother has enough challenges without the additional strain of not being able, literally, to provide for our children. This is something that definitely deserves more attention. At my federal agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, we have two lactation rooms per building. However, when I worked in the ironically female-dominated field of teaching it was quite challenging for me to find a place to pump; I too was told I could ‘always use the restroom’. I had to beg teachers for use of their rooms (as mine was in use during my off-periods) and was constantly worried about the room being unlocked by a colleague (despite signs that the room was in use). I did use my room during lunch, which was fine until I started making the transition out of teaching and my room was given away. My colleague who took over the room assured me I could continue to pump during lunch until the first day she took over the room, at which time she chatted with students during what was supposed to be my pumping time. Unfortunately, this continued. Breastfeeding mothers in every occupation need a dedicated space with a fridge just for breast milk where they can feel safe. Being an employed mother has enough challenges without the additional strain of not being able, literally, to provide for our children.

]]> By: nanchan http://www.wifeandmommy.com/expressing/comment-page-1/#comment-518 nanchan Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:29:01 +0000 http://www.wifeandmommy.com/?p=902#comment-518 Wow. I'm sad that breastfeeding is still such a taboo topic that this company feels it's appropriate to allow an employee to prepare her child's food in the bathroom. And I'm sad that it's so taboo this employee was unable to speak up for herself to get the time she needed to pump. As a former pumping mom who clashed with "work life" at my own workplace, I am horrified that mothers are still forced to pump in the bathroom, and even more horrified that legislation is required to do force companies to do the right thing. That said, I can also see the Company's point of view in this instance. Allen should have been more open about her needs (because I remember all too well the pain associated with waiting too long to pump). Had she simply communicated better what she needed, this could have been avoided. What a shame that so many breastfeeding mothers are too scared to speak up for themselves and their babies. Wow. I’m sad that breastfeeding is still such a taboo topic that this company feels it’s appropriate to allow an employee to prepare her child’s food in the bathroom. And I’m sad that it’s so taboo this employee was unable to speak up for herself to get the time she needed to pump.

As a former pumping mom who clashed with “work life” at my own workplace, I am horrified that mothers are still forced to pump in the bathroom, and even more horrified that legislation is required to do force companies to do the right thing.

That said, I can also see the Company’s point of view in this instance. Allen should have been more open about her needs (because I remember all too well the pain associated with waiting too long to pump). Had she simply communicated better what she needed, this could have been avoided. What a shame that so many breastfeeding mothers are too scared to speak up for themselves and their babies.

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