Backing up a little...

I realized after my short post this morning that it made no sense. Sometimes I map out a post in my head when I'm driving, or at work, or otherwise occupied and then never actually get around to writing it. Actually that happens quite a bit. With that being the case though, it's amazing how many hours I have spent staring at the blank expanse of the "new post" window and wondering what the heck I should write about.

Anyway I had intended to write a post about work and the breastfeeding atmosphere this weekend but I never got around to it.

It's not that it's such a terrible environment. I would say I'm actually quite fortunate to work in such a flexible environment while breastfeeding. As long as I work 8 hours a day within a flexible timeframe, no one really questions me. I can take breaks to pump, and if my 'lunch' at the daycare runs late I can just work a few minutes extra to make up for it.

So, the issue is definitely not lack of time, and since that's probably the biggest issue that most working, pumping moms face, I know I'm fortunate. Insanely so. The issue though, is a lack of facilities and formal support. Aside from a memo that basically says moms who choose to breastfeed and pump should be given time to do so in accordance with the limited duty regulations etc. there is not an actual policy regarding accommodations and support. SO I've been calling around and uncovered absolutely nothing. The problem is this: I know that there are rooms where moms pump. One of the clinics actually has a pumping room complete with pumps, the moms just have to bring their own accessory kit. A woman I met at the gym said that there is a conference room that pumping moms can schedule a time to use.

So, the resources that do exist can't be found. I've decided to make it my mission to raise some awareness and hopefully get a formalized policy in place. I'd like to see a resource webpage as well as a designated point of contact, so that new moms, new employees who are new moms and moms who may be in an unfamiliar building can find what's available. How awful would it be to find out there was a resource available when you had been pumping in an icky bathroom stall?

I did pump in a bathroom stall the first several weeks I was on the job. It was easier than trying to forge a relationship with the woman down the hall who schedules the conference room. As a brand new employee I was intimidated and felt bad enough sneaking away from my desk. A couple of weeks ago I decided I was done pumping in the bathroom just based on principle. So, save a week and a half when I was in training where I did pump in the very nice bathroom lounge thingy, I've been calling to use the conference room and even using my boss's office since she is out of town. After she gets back I'll obviously have to find some other arrangements when the one conference room I have access to is booked. Thankfully I already have a couple of leads on some other rooms.

Obviously though, it's a never-ending process just to have a place to pump. And it's exhausting. And time consuming.

So anyway (picture my mental headshake as I try to recover from distraction for the millionth time), last week someone I met while pumping in the bathroom forwarded me an e-mail that went out asking managers to get feedback and provide information on whether the current breastfeeding situation is adequate or whether an official policy needs to be implemented. I don't know if it was sent to my chain of command but I couldn't resist sending a rather long-winded e-mail giving my two-cents and requesting more info. I got a nice e-mail back from the EEO lady today thanking me for my comments and saying she had added them to what she submitted. Good thing she was so nice about it... I was hoping I hadn't overstepped my bounds since she wasn't in my group. I'm still trying to figure out how that works.

Soo.... that's what's going on in my mind these days :)