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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Working Mom Wednesday


Linking to Work, Wife,Mom...Life! for Working Mommy Wednesday. For this week the discussion is:
You know you're a working mom when....

You are militant about breast feeding and support commitment by:

- toting breast pump equipment to work every day to pump twice a day. You ignore co-workers jokes and have zero shame.

- traveling with breast pump equipment to client meetings to pump in private room conference rooms (after my daughter was born another mom came to the rescue and offered to reserve a room for me to pump in)

- during travels you pump in turnpike restrooms and in restaurant bathrooms, once even in a fancy restaurant in West Hollywood, CA where a co-worker took you to dinner

In the office it's not like breast pumping is a private matter, your 5 co-workers know why you are disappearing for 15-25 minutes. Then you have to walk out with a little baggy of pumped milk and put it in the freezer. You walk out during lunch hour when everyone's in the kitchen, you hide it in another bag but you still have to put it in the freezer. Then you walk casually to the bathroom to wash equipment and tuck it under the sink.

As a working mom, breast pumping is one of the greatest contributions I can make to my sons development and I love doing it. However the benefits are also great for myself, how else can one disappear for a private break to catch up on social medial (personal emails, facebook, twitter) along with news and other blogs? It's awesome.

Then when I come home, it's a great bonding experience with my baby.

7 comments:

SarahMarie said...

I took three breaks a day to pump for my twins while I was at work. I loved it because I actually was forced to take breaks. Now I get nothing! ;)
Stopping by from WMW.

Jennie said...

This is great! I've been there, done that, and I completely agree with you. Pumping was a miserable, but worth-it experience for me. I absolutely love breastfeeding and just love that I was able to do what was best for my babies "in spite" of being a working mom. (It's so nice to be able to give the naysayers a big fat, "Booyah!") ;)

Stopping by from WMW!

Miss. C said...

I didn't breast feed, I wish I had now! I think it is GREAT that you have made it work for you, I was always afraid that I wouldn't be able to. After reading this, I really wish I hadn't been so selfish!!

Susan DiMickele said...

You GO girl! Keep at it! I am past this stage but have good memories of lugging that pump around.

crazywildberry said...

HOO-RAH!!
BRAVO!!!
WOW!
EXCELLENT!!!

From your stay-at-home mom friend, I applaud your efforts! I breast-fed with gusto and completely respect anyone who gives it a go, especially working mothers.

Once, I went out with my friends for a day of fun three months after my second was born. I lugged that equipment everywhere and pumped three times while out. I can't imagine doing that everyday, but complete applaud your determination!

I heard about a job as a breast-feeding advocate a few years ago within the local welfare office. I was so tempted to apply, but I probably would have been fired for yelling at the welfare client who wouldn't give it a go. 8-O Oh, well! haha!

Julia Ladewski said...

i've done the "yeah, i'll be back in a few minutes" thing too. totally worth it though. trying to hide the bags and equipment though is hilarious!

Betsy said...

I do have to say that is one of the bigger benefits of working from home.. no pump. On the other hand, it also meant no break from work to feed the baby - just type one handed!