Do you support breastpumping at work?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:51:35 -0400

I gave birth to twins fairly recently, and will be going back to work soon. I breastfeed my children, which is recommended by most professional medical associations for the first year of life. I am wondering, though, what the best way to go about breast pumping at work will be.

Right now the Army is the only branch of service without a breastfeeding policy. The Navy and Air Force, and even the Marines all encourage breastfeeding and require a room to be provided for the purpose of pumping. Not so with the Army.

So, I'm wondering - do most commands support breastfeeding? What kind of accommodations have you made for your troops? What is the best way to go about pumping at work so that it will be supported? I will inevitably have to pump during work hours, as well as during lunch and other normal breaks, in order to prevent infection.

I am torn between wanting to look like new motherhood has not affected my work ability, and wanting to do the best thing for my children.

http://breastfeedingincombatboots.com/military-policies/

Military Policies

Summary of the breastfeeding policies and regulations of the various branches of the United States military.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 2 at 2015 11:03 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:03:31 -0400

My personal opinion is that this is a natural thing to do. I wouldn't support it in public but to have a place designated where the women can go and pump I'm all for it.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 11:13 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:13:32 -0400

This is a topic I'm very passionate about. Unfortunately, like you said, the Army is the only branch without a formal policy. I am a first time mom to a daughter who is about to turn two. I exclusively breastfed her until she was 16.5 months while working full-time as a teacher and an AF Reservist.

When I returned to duty, my command and supervisors were very accommodating, and I never had problems finding an empty office to pump in. As a new officer, I have reached out to a young Airman in my squadron to check in on how pumping was going and where she was pumping at. When she told me that she was in our bathroom/locker room combo, I informed her of her right to a sanitary location and one of our full-time ARTs immediately offered a different, more appropriate solution for her.

Breastfeeding in Combat Boots is an amazing resource - I'm glad you've found that. Kellymom.com is also a great source. As for the best way to go about pumping so that it will be supported, just be prepared with any information you have as to best practices and be prepared to educate and advocate for your children. I pumped every two to three hours while on duty. Find another pumping mom in your unit for support if you are having difficulty making the adjustment or dealing with leadership.

A hands-free pumping bra is a MUST and will allow you to do some light administrative work while you take care of business. As for the looking "like new motherhood has not affected [my] work ability," you can still be efficient and take care of your family. This does not reflect poorly on your work abilities, this is you taking care of your #1 priority. It's very different than you taking additional breaks to have another cigarette or screw around with your buddies.

Best of luck to you, and feel free to reach out to me anytime if you have any questions. The Breastfeeding In Combat Boots FB page is very supportive, encouraging, and you can submit anonymous questions if anything comes up that you need addressed.

Response by PO3 Tanis Huston made Apr 2 at 2015 11:14 AM

PO3 Tanis Huston — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:14:17 -0400

You have a lot of guts to want this and I mean that is a positive way although it may sound negative. The whole idea of breastfeeding in today's society is all for it until they see someone that needs a special room or God forbid nurse in public. I am a true supporter of anyone who what's to take on the task!

I nursed both my children, one was nine years ago while I was active duty Navy, even then although it really wasn't that long ago didn't have much on way of a policy but boy did I have the support from my command. I was one of the first women in my shop to choose to nurse and pump at work, the guys all teamed up to make a special space just for me with a mini fridge and all to store milk. My second child was only 4 years ago in the civilian world and they where also completely supportive of my choice, they even have specially designed rooms.

The best suggestion that was given to me was let your command know what your intentions are before you return to work so there are no surprises and they can be well prepared, be up front and honest with what you are asking. Lay out your plan and what you need and let them know how this is going to effect your job duties, the last thing anyone wants it's to feel like they where being blind sided.

Good luck and I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your family as well as for you fellow soldiers, they are important too because they are the ones that will be supporting you while you work!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 11:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:30:01 -0400

Absolutely I just don't want to see it....I admit I'm squimish. At one point I had 3 soldiers that needed to be able to pump at work, particularly right before they were going to go on a two week exercise and needed to have a stockpile for their significant others to have.

At lunch time I'd leave my office...they'd put a piece of paper over the window and do their thing. If I was still in the office they'd go down to the women's locker room and do it. Then they'd store it in my mini fridge until the end of the day. As long as they got what I needed them to do done...I was more than happy to support and accommadate their need to do what they needed to do.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 2 at 2015 11:46 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:46:16 -0400

Non-issue.

Normal part of human life-cycle, normal accommodations should be made. Although there isn't a formal Army Policy, the USMC/USAF/USN gives enough guidance for a Command to meet the general intent.

Just let your Seniors know your intent, ask them the best way to adhere to the overall concept, and point out what the other services due, as there isn't an Army policy. Should be a no brainer for anyone up the chain. Hardest part will be logistics (finding a room), but this issue may have already come up previously, and there may already be a plan in place.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Apr 2 at 2015 3:32 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 15:32:45 -0400

Non-issue as long as you inform your chain of command that you will need some time throughout the day to do it, and just don't simply go "ghost" when you pump.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 3:59 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 15:59:11 -0400

I'm not active duty or even Army but I wanted to tell you my wife and I have twins born 2 years ago back in January. Awesome experience. Also very stressful for my wife especially (2 toddlers are an experience you won't forget!). Anyway, she breastfed them (as she has all of our kids) and you shouldn't feel like you are torn between your ability to perform (or the appearance of it) and doing what's right for your children. Having kids, breastfeeding, aren't going to take away from your ability, they are just added responsibility. Your CoC will understand surely.

My wife chose to quit work and stay with the kids (because we were faced with three kids in day care and almost $2,000 a month for that). But another coworker recently had a baby and needed to pump. I was mildly surprised but our company set aside an unused office, blacked out the windows, and provided a refrigerator for her to use for the duration. Pretty cool, I thought. I wouldn't have thought they'd be so accommodating until they were!

Good luck with the twins! You're going to need it :)

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 2 at 2015 4:51 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:51:26 -0400

Of course, and not just because the AFI says so! (AFI 44-102 para 4.15. if your interested), but because it is great for the kiddo.

I actually like our AFI because it does a great job of spelling out what is required.

"The AFMS recommends that supervisors of AF members who are breastfeeding work with the member to arrange their work schedules to allow 15-30 minutes every 3-4 hours to pump breast milk in a room or an area that provides adequate privacy and cleanliness. Restrooms should not be considered an appropriate location for pumping. The AF member must supply the equipment needed to pump and store the breast milk."

Now do I think they should be able to openly pump (or breastfeed) anywhere they want (on duty)? No, absolutely not.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 3:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 15:27:44 -0400

While my wife is not military, she did have to go thru pumping while at her employment. She had an office to herself, so she would close the door and post a sign to not disturb. When she didnt have a sign, she did her pumping in the bathroom. While cumbersome for her, it worked. As for me, if pumping needs to get done, get it done. Babies cant eat if the food isnt ready.