Wednesdays Randoms

[jax1182014]

Feb 11, 2015 12:13:14 GMT -5 HutterFlutter said:

Going to be a downer today: I'm sitting in the bathroom at work crying. I tried talking to my boss and even the administrator of the building about not going in a bathroom and pumping because it breaks my heart preparing food for my daughter in an unsanitary environment.

They figured out that as long as it's not a bathroom STALL, they've met the requirements for the law.

I'm so defeated that I'm actually considering quitting pumping and just nursing in the morning and night and giving her formula during the day. At least THAT hasn't been in a bathroom.

Have you contacted your HR dept?? I know lissydee is an OB RN. Maybe she can offer some advice. I'm sorry this is happening. It's not right.

[kaimee27]

HutterFlutter, that is absolutely ridiculous that you have to pump in the bathroom! It's so unsanitary! Shame on you workplace for not providing an actual room for this! I don't know the actual legalities of what workplaces have to provide, but this seems crazy! Big ((HUGS)) to you mama!

[ashleymm197]

HutterFlutter Hugs! my heart breaks for you that you have to go through this, and this is not something that I'm dealing with but makes me angry for you. If there is a toilet, it is still a bathroom!

You totally deserve a place that is not a bathroom to pump milk for your child, and I'm disgusted that your bosses thinks otherwise. Don't give up if this is important to you, and we are here to support you. You deserve to be able to feed your child in the manner you have chosen, whether its bm or formula. Is there someone in HR you can talk to? I can't believe that because there is no stall that its fine by law.

sorry if I get ragey, things like this make me mad.

[songbirdsinging55]

Feb 11, 2015 12:13:14 GMT -5 HutterFlutter said:

Going to be a downer today: I'm sitting in the bathroom at work crying. I tried talking to my boss and even the administrator of the building about not going in a bathroom and pumping because it breaks my heart preparing food for my daughter in an unsanitary environment.

They figured out that as long as it's not a bathroom STALL, they've met the requirements for the law.

I'm so defeated that I'm actually considering quitting pumping and just nursing in the morning and night and giving her formula during the day. At least THAT hasn't been in a bathroom.

This is awful! I would contact your local WIC office and the Le Leche League. I know WIC can assist in the legal aspects. I would also check with your local laws on what the pumping laws are. I don't believe they specify bathroom stall. I recall it can't be a bathroom period. Also contact HR about your rights. Even a closet is better than a bathroom. How dare they even suggest such a thing! I am so angry for you! Don't give up pumping. See what your options are. If I lived near them I would give them a piece of my mind for sure.

[jax1182014]

I bet @ amyg can offer some insight on the laws as well. Please help HutterFlutter

[HutterFlutter]

Thank you so much ladies. It means a lot you have my back. What hurts even more is that the administrator told me while I was pregnant that she pumped for her daughter. I thought she'd have more empathy.

I looked up the law again. Federal law says no bathroom. State law (Illinois) says no bathroom stall. I'm not sure which would take precedent. There's no plug in the bathroom so I've been using the battery adapter. Is it a requirement to have a plug? Maybe I can use that as ammunition.

What's stopping me from taking out the "big guns" like lawyers and such, is that I know they can't fire me for reporting them, but they sure can make my life miserable while I'm here.

[gldnbearz]

songbirdsinging55, Glad the conversation with your MIL worked out.

HutterFlutter, I'm so upset for you, I don't even know what to say.

[ashleymm197]

HutterFlutter wow yeah you'd think she would sympathize with you for sure.

that's a tough call. Do you have anyone who knows legalese who could tell you which law they have to follow, without having to actually get a lawyer or reporting them? I would assume they'd have to follow federal law, but who knows. It's such a shame that its 2015 and people still discriminate against nursing moms like this, and mostly women in general.

[kimberlynn]

spikesmom, I've always wanted to go to one of those painting things. I think I would get drunk off the wine and have a drunken mess of a painting though. LOL.

[kimberlynn]

HutterFlutter, that is ridiculous. I agree with PP that you should talk to HR. There is no way that meets the requirements. Don't give up! Fight for your rights!!

[HutterFlutter]

jax1182014 kimberlynn

Regarding HR, it's tricky. I work at a rehab center/nursing home as a therapist. The facility hires my rehab company to be there.

So, talking to my company HR department wouldn't do any good. The facility is privately owned and I have an idea who the HR rep is, but she and the administrator are best friends. I'll figure it out I guess.

[zengal]

HutterFlutter I was recently wondering how the pumping situation worked out for you! I'm so sorry it's not been positive. They do need to offer a place with a plug. You could go at it from that angle without presenting as aggressive so they wouldn't make things uncomfortable for you. Why does bf have to be so challenging sometimes!?

[ladybird]

HutterFlutter just want to echo everything everyone else has said. I am so mad for you. So ridiculous. This link might be of some help: www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/going-back-to-work/

Not so much the advice but the links down at the bottom that link out to other resources—especially the Le Leche League.

Ugh. I am really fired up about this.

[zengal]

Feb 11, 2015 13:09:17 GMT -5 kimberlynn said:

spikesmom, I've always wanted to go to one of those painting things. I think I would get drunk off the wine and have a drunken mess of a painting though. LOL.

But see, that's why the wine pairs so well with the activity - gets all that creativity within you to flow onto the canvas! Releases your inhibitions/worries about being a good artist. It's awesome.

[wildflower810]

HutterFlutter - Federal law always trumps state law. That's what the Civil War was fought over. The North won. Your situation sucks. I hope you win soon too. :hugs:

[catlady22]

wildflower810, I hope you and M feel better soon!

HutterFlutter, I have been there too! Just last week I was in tears about having to pump in the bathroom. I would get as many people involved as you can to change the situation. I made sure to copy everyone I could think of from HR/admin in my email and state that I needed a room with an outlet. Hope your situation improves!

[jfh]

HutterFlutter I am so angry for you. Can you go over your boss' head? Maybe your HR dept can still be helpful - I'd think they have to ensure you have an appropriate place to pump, even if they don't run the facility where you're working. And I agree with the suggestions to talk to LLL, WIC, @amyg, anyone at your work who will listen....the whole thing is bullshit. Best of luck sorting it out. You're on the side of good!

[jfh]

A spot opened up for DS1 in DS2's daycare starting Mar 2. It's a couple of weeks before I go back to work, but they don't get openings often and they have a huge wait list, so we have to take it. My biggest concern is his sleep. He's an easygoing baby, but he still sleeps frequently, and he'll only go down if I'm walking him around in the ergo or bouncing him on a yoga ball. I'm so worried they won't be able to get him to sleep, or that he'll cry a lot before going down. Luckily I go back PT to start, so he'll have some transition time. I'm looking forward to working again, and I don't mind the idea of other people caring for him - I'm just worried about the sleep

[spikesmom]

@songbirdssonging55 I would say it was, it was only two hours but it is the first "fun" me time I've had since he was born! Even then it was hard leaving him but I was glad I went in the end! It was nice to just hang out with my friends for a couple of hours and do something fun!

[zengal]

I'm worried about the sleep too jfh. I've tried to lay her down and she instantly wakes up. But if I hold/wear her, she's out for hours. I know baby and daycare will figure it out, but I just don't want her to cry or be upset!

[Libby]

HutterFlutter that is ridiculous! I'm so sorry. I can't imagine being told to pump in a bathroom.

I don't want to start back to work tomorrow! I've been crying on and off today and soaking in my baby girl.

[HutterFlutter]

You guys are so awesome. Like I said, it makes me feel good that you have my back and you make me want to keep fighting for my daughter. I wish I could just round you all up and send you in as the cavalry. You'd kick ass and take names.

[gldnbearz]

LO didn't have any dirty diapers yesterday and we're supposed to be going to the in-laws tonight. Murphy's law would likely mean that she has a big blowout at the grandparents.

Well, Murphy was only half right. Sooo gross but at least it happened at home.

[Deleted]

www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs73.htm

General Requirements

Employers are required to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk.” Employers are also required to provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.”


There isn't anything about access to an outlet.
There isn't any teeth in the law, no penalties laid out for businesses.
Businesses less than 50 employees don't have to accomodate, and
It does take precedent over state law, but state law can be better and allow better protections.

[kaimee27]

Feb 11, 2015 15:20:49 GMT -5 zengal said:

I'm worried about the sleep too jfh. I've tried to lay her down and she instantly wakes up. But if I hold/wear her, she's out for hours. I know baby and daycare will figure it out, but I just don't want her to cry or be upset!

So much this!  My sister is going to be our daycare on nights when DH and I are both working 3rd shift.  I know my sister can handle DD crying-she's a SAH mother of 3 boys, but I don't want her to get sleep deprived and want to quit watching DD or have either of them feel frustrated.  DD has been doing better the past few nights, but even still, she's not a great sleeper and tends to wake up unless she's being held.

[moonandback]

ineedmorecoffee sweetmelissa5 Let's hope this phase passes soon. I don't know how many more times I can sing Twinkle or Mary Had a Little Lamb in the middle of the night!!

[moonandback]

I'm on mobile and can't keep up with the tagging of users. How are you all so savvy at this?!

[spikesmom]

@heartflutter I am sorry you are going through this it is ridiculous! My organization is thankfully very supportive of bfing and we have lactation rooms that are solely dedicated for pumping plus I work from home 3-4 days a week. However, I have some training scheduled for work at a major university and inquired about a space for me to pump while I am there and they said I could pump in the bathroom...um no there has to be a better place. So while I'm not dealing with this on a daily basis it is definitely an issue! Good luck with getting it figured out, it sounds like the law is on your side here!

[spikesmom]

I just ate like 5 girl scout cookies and some hershey kisses bc they were easily accessible with lo sleeping on me. My H has parent teacher conferences tonight (he is the principal) abd is bringing pizza home for dinner but not until 8:00-8:30 and I'm starving now...diet fail ?

[gldnbearz]

Feb 11, 2015 18:45:22 GMT -5 spikesmom said:

I just ate like 5 girl scout cookies and some hershey kisses bc they were easily accessible with lo sleeping on me. My H has parent teacher conferences tonight (he is the principal) abd is bringing pizza home for dinner but not until 8:00-8:30 and I'm starving now...diet fail ?

Not diet fail. Survival techniques!