Working an 8 hour shift and you boss says you can't pump.

[ChelsiAnn13]

Hi everyone. I go back to work soon and I just had a meeting with my boss. He says that he does not want me pumping in case a customer comes in. (I am not the only one in the building but I will be the main one tending to grooming the dogs coming in)

I will be working an 8 hour shift and if I am lucky I may be able to sneak away once to pump. I have worked there 4 years though and have never gotten a break.

What do I do? My mom said, knowing how important breastfeeding is to me, I should just tell him I may need to find another job for awhile.

Will I be able to keep up a supply for sure if I can't pump. If I pump once will that make all the difference that will ensure I can keep my supply? Please help me I do not want to give up breastfeeding but I NEED this paycheck and I enjoy what I do.

[ChelsiAnn13]

Also I live in Michigan.

How many times, in an 8 hour shift, do you have to pump to ensure you keep your supply?

I plan to pump in the morning and at night as well as feed her right before I leave and as soon as I get home...

The federal law states... " employer to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such employee has need to express milk. The employer is not required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time for any work time spent for such purpose. The employer must also provide a place, other than a bathroom, for the employee to express breast milk. If these requirements impose undue hardship, an employer that employs fewer than 50 employees is not subject to these requirements."

My work only employs 20 people but if I talk to him and he lets me pump two times during the day and I go to my car so as not to be a problem do you think i would really be imposing undue hardship? (I work at a dog grooming / training center and will be doing the grooming and helping out with the training/ front desk things).

If I buy a hand pump and if I have like a 3-5 min break I go to the bathroom and pump just to act like she is comfort nursing do you this may help some too? I heard even some stimulation, even if it doesn't produce milk helps.

I am sorry if I am annoying everyone but I have been sobbing on and off thinking about this.

[Amy_G_]

I answered you on the bump! I'm pretty sure anyway.

[ChelsiAnn13]

I posted them at the same time. Thank you.

[erinw]

I'm from Michigan and even if you don't qualify for your nursing breaks through FMLA you are still entitled to three breaks in an 8 hour shift. You legally get two 10 minute breaks and a half hour lunch break. The 10 minute breaks may not be enough to get a full pumping session in but its better than nothing.