Breast pumping. Does the word make you queasy? I’m a nursing mom and I feel a bit weird about it.
That’s a problem. Too many women are denied the opportunity to breast pump at work –and at conferences –when they are away from their baby. This is not some scary hairy-legged feminine beast- roar. Given the numerous benefits of breast milk, it’s a real public health issue.
I’m happy to report, though, that the folks at the American Society for Cell Biology have a clue!! I brought my baby to the poster session (she loved it—the colors!). So I was drawn to a room that said “Baby changing room.” It was serviceable as a changing room, although the bathroom was better since it had a sink. But what the room was really good for was breast pumping. It had electrical outlets and discreet curtains all set up. Some moms were in there, making milk for their babies.
I applaud the organizers for keeping moms in mind. I must admit though I wish they had made it clear that the room was also good for pumping. If the organizers were going to bother using a euphemism, something like “Milk Lounge” might be appropriate.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises women to breast feed for one year—the World Health Organization advises two. Nursing women away from their babies need to express milk to keep up their milk supply and to avoid pain.
But not everyone has gotten the message. Even in work environments that should be enlightened, I’ve seen women relegated to bathroom stalls, for some reason, when perfectly good utility closets were available. Another friend had four days of breast milk confiscated at the airport when flying back from a conference. She watched in horror as the agent spilled her milk into a garbage can.
How many moms out there have had such a room at conferences they have gone to? Would you like to see them more often? Has anyone stopped nursing because traveling or working was too hard to do without good facilities for pumping?
You are so right! I went to the ASHG meeting this year and was thrilled that the “Family room” was set up with outlets and the curtains too.
I’ve been lucky enough to never have my milk tossed at the airport but I did decide to dump the week’s worth from ASHG before I came home (tragic, I know).
I hate having to deal with the pump and dragging it with me wherever I go. many of my meetings are downtown and are often at hotel conference centers and they rarely are set up for pumping. I have had a couple places offer me a room to go in and use for pumping but otherwise I have been relegated to the bathroom stall. Not the most comfortable place.
i applaud all us moms who make the effort to breastfeed and pump and all those out there who are making it easier on us to do it. I do hope that more organizations, conference locations and workplaces mature with the times and make this part of our parenting a bit easier.
I’m so happy to hear that national meetings are including amenities such as “pumping rooms.”
One challenge I’ve faced while traveling is making sure I have access to a fridge … I’ve been lucky so far that the one hotel without a mini bar delivered a small dorm sized fridge to my room upon check in.
Working full time and pumping is challenging but oh so worthwhile. I’m lucky enough to have my own office so I can write emails and work while pumping. I can’t imagine having to use a bathroom everyday. The few times I’ve used airport bathrooms and the bathroom on the airplane have certainly been challenging!
Absolutely right on! I completely concur: The more we mothers insist, gently or stridently, that we be able to care for our babies through nursing and pumping, the more pro forma it will become. Here’s to the milk lounge! What could be more natural?
Heather Tomlinson