Work Frustration

[Ericas3]

I work part-time in a fitness center nursery. I have worked there for five years now and took the job when DS was 15 months old because I am allowed to bring my kiddos with me when I work. My shifts are only 4 hours long 4 times a week. Here's my problem...

Up until today my supervisor had no problem with me utilizing our nursing room to feed DD2 on demand, as long as we were not busy and my co-workers could tend to the kids without me for few minutes. So far, it has been no problem. Today she told me that we are getting to busy with all the new members so she and the director of the facility think that from now on when I work I need to either nurse out in the nursery in a rocking chair where I can still help watch the other children or I need to pump and feed her with a bottle so I am still "helping." Okay, 1. To me nursing is a very private thing between me and my daughter and I am not comfortable sitting out in a rocking chair at work in front of my co-workers and members and feeding my baby. I also think our members would be uncomfortable with that, which I understand. 2. I will not give my baby a bottle, especially when I am right there and can feed her. No matter how or where I feed her, I will not be of much help. I cannot feed a baby, no matter how I do it, and take care of other children at the same time. Although my job does not pay much, we cannot afford for me to quit right now with the way the economy is. I'm just so frustrated!!!

[NewMum]

What state do you live in? Most have laws pertaining to pumping at work.... I don't see how pumping and breastfeeding would really differ to them at this point. If they'd have to allow you time to pump, why shouldn't you be able to feed your child directly during that time.

Here's a link to the laws for each state. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm

How old is your dd? How often is she nursing? Could you maybe nurse her right before your shift, then again right after?

[Nipple_nectar]

Personally, given those choices, I would opt for nursing in a chair in the nursery. Maybe it has more to do with the liability issue of the ratio of children to adults in the room? I am thinking that even if you were nursing, you would still be available in an observational capacity.

Also, try not to think of breastfeeding as a sight that would make the gym members uncomfortable. I seized every opportunity to normalize breastfeeding in public because I wanted to educate the people around me. I am by no means a bewbie flasher, I am very modest, I just feel like the more women nurse in public, it normalizes the event and people stop making a stink about it, as long as it is done with modesty.

I think they are being generous, still allowing you to nurse on demand. Now, it seems that if you are only there for four hour increments, most employers would not feel you were entitled to such a break, in any work environment. I would be thankful.

[KatieLou]

I too, would nurse in the chair. If you are uncomfortable go get yourself a hotter hider or something of that sort. Just think of the great exaple you will be providing for your co-workers and members!

[whitnessforhim]

While I think the options to pump is so silly, not only because your baby is right there to nurse, but they must not realize that it actually takes longer to pump than it does just to nurse your baby. So that to me is a rediculous option.

The fact that they are so open to you nursing in public speaks volumes for this company if you ask me. I agree with NN that it actually is a very generous offer for just the four hours that you are there. Now with that being said I must add that I am very much like you...It is not easy for me to nurse in public. I am extremely modest and I feel as you that it is something between me and my LO. However, I have done it before and I would do it again if my baby needed to be fed at work or where ever.

I was also thinking the same thing as newmum...can you nurse right before and after work? If you do have to nurse in front of your co-workers there are many ways to be descrete about it...nursing cover, etc. Maybe you could practice when you are out other places to get more comfortable with it.

Hope everything works out!

[maksmom]

How about nursing in a sling? This would allow you to be covered and be somewhat mobile to help with the other kids. Most people won't even know what you are doing, and if they do, and don't like it, who cares?

[Jmom1010]

Personally I would nurse in the chair, in fact I did everytime I went to my son's daycare to nurse him. I'm sure being asked to be there has to do with adult/ child ratios which are law in most states and they do not want to caught with that ratio off. You never know some momma with a child in that room could complain if the ratio is not right. I had to do that at my son's first daycare where it was common to see one or two staff in a room full of 24 infants.

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree that a sling or a hooter hider would work: www.nursingmothersupplies.com

If you haven't nursed in public, it can be an acquired skill. Try practicing at home in front of a mirror, you'll see firsthand that it can be very discreet.

I have been nursing in public and had people looking right at the baby, admiring her, not even realizing that I was nursing. It can be done:)

[madelsmama]

I agree with the others. I'd nurse in the rocker.

[dodoe80]

I think for a four hour shift they do have to provide you with one 10 minute break. That was the last I knew anyway in my state. That being said, I gave up caring what others thought about me nursing in public when DS was four months old. (Hot windy camping trip). You are right that even out in the main room you will not be much help but observation and the ability to warn others of impending danger counts for a lot. however there is still that issue of the break you are probably entitled to???

[sweetkisses]

I have to say bravo to your company for giving you the option of breastfeeding in the nursery. So many places would not do that.

The more you practice with NIP the easier it will become. Practice at home in front of a mirror.

Someone mentioned using a sling. That is a great idea. Your co-wokers will probably appeciate that you would still be able to give hands on help if needed.

[Ericas3]

Thanks for all the suggestions. After reading all your replies I do feel better. I just felt really bullied yesterday when my supervisor approached me about this. I have 3 children, and this is the first time nursing has gone so smoothly so I guess I am afraid of that being sabotaged somehow. Anyway, I am so thankful that my employer (a hospital owned fitness center) will allow me to nurse my baby while I am there. My co-workers are also very supportive and most breastfed their children. My LO is 4 mos. old now and nurses every 3 hours give or take so I only have to feed her once while I'm there. I will give the rocking chair a chance with my "hooter hider" in tow :-)

[KatieLou]

Yay for you!