I went back to work when my first was 3 months old and when my second was 4 months old (part-time). So I have combined breastfeeding, working and expressing for quite a long time.
My “conditions” were crap. I am a TAFE bush regeneration teacher. The only opportunity I had to express was in my breaks. If I was teaching a class, my boobs just had to wait. My morning tea break was never long enough so I had to do it at lunchtime and my boobs were nearly exploding by then. I would also often be on a field trip, in the middle of the bush, when I needed to express.
I never used a fridge, I always carried an esky with plenty of ice bricks. I expressed where ever I could, in my boss’s office, in my car, under a tree (LOL), in a toilet as an absolute last resort.
Having said all that though my experience of expressing at work was fantastic. Every single person I ever encountered about it was absolutely wonderful and so encouraging. For me the crappy conditions were more than made up for by the personal support of my colleagues, managers and students. I guess I was flexible, they were flexible, I wanted to breastfeed, they wanted me to breastfeed and with that attitude you can achieve anything. And none of my children have ever had to have formula despite my retuning to work.
ETA: Just to give you an example of how my colleagues helped me, I would teach for 4 hours in the classroom in the morning, have a quick lunch and then go out in the field (for another 4 hours) with the class in the afternoon. My colleagues knew that I would need to spend my lunchtime expressing. So as soon as I appeared back at the office from my class they would say, here, here come in here (into one of their offices) they would go and get me lunch, bring it to me and load my car with the tools and papers I needed for the afternoon AND then tell me what an awesome Mum I was. That’s the kind of practical, flexible and heart-warming support that makes a real difference and is worth so much more than any comfy lounge or clean fridge.
Last edited by Epacris; March 6th, 2012 at 06:10 PM.
I had my own office so that part was easy. I initially expressed twice a day and then later once a day. I often worked whilst expressing. I double pumped so that saved some time.
If I wasn't at my site I booked a room at the other sites and if worst came to worst I was going to use the disability toilet because we had no parents room. I also expressed in the car a number of times rather than use the toilets. I just made sure I parked in a more isolated spot. A couple of times I expressed whilst driving as i was pushed for time.
I think there was mixed feelings about me expressing (so I heard from a work friend) but no one could really say anything because of the work place laws and standards. The first day or two I felt awkward but I soon got over it.
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