Letters to the Editor
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These women are absolutely right.
I am often here at Broadsheet commenting how you folks are missing the point, but these women are 10000% correct.
It is ridiculous that women are forced into either a lavatory or their cubes for this very important activity. And a lavatory seems incredibly unsanitary for the act of producing milk.
(Truth be told, the cubicle is probably worse according to studies that find more germs on keyboards than toilet seats!)
Men and Women are different, and have different needs, and those needs should be supported by all at work, and not diminished, nor discriminated against, nor denied by feminists.
(Of course, given the standard Broadsheet Feminist cry of "It's not fair that the men get this...." I have to say I am against any company actually providing these facilities to women.
Identity Politics: They look good on you and you deserve the hatred they bring.
Why can't we all get along? Because Broadsheet Feminists dislike that idea.)
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This is the how-to book we needed
We knew the why--it's just the how that eluded us. AWESOME!
More pressure on corporations, and less on moms. (More pressure FROM moms.) This is the way to go.
Way to go!
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Slightly side-topic
This is a slightly side-topic comment. By stating that "Nursing is so intimate" you are doing a grave disservice to those that are trying to get breastfeeding in public accepted as a normal part of life and motherhood, instead of it being treated as a sex act or public indecency. There will always be a need for "modesty" and "discretion" around breastfeeding in public, I think, but calling it "intimate" is saying that it shouldn't be allowed in public at all.
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or...
How's about making maternity leave 12 months long (like they do up here in Canada)?
anything less than a year is just silly in my opinion.
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Making it work
I'm up front with all my coworkers about breastfeeding my son, who is now 8.5 months old. Thankfully, I have the option to pump in my office. Thus far, everyone has been respectful of my "do not disturb for about 15 minutes" note placed on my door at those times. I wish there was another breastfeeding mother at my workplace for fellowship, but I consider myself one of the lucky mothers to have a tolerant and supportive workplace, as it is.
I have found further into post partum I get, the less shy I become about breastfeeding and all topics related to it. I guess my skin toughened up a bit, in more ways than one!
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Time for a culture change
We need to accelerate societal acceptance of breastfeeding as the norm. We've made good progress in educating mothers (and fathers, grandparents, health-care professionals, intolerant people on airplanes...) about the benefits of breastfeeding. Now let's take it a step further. Moms, be confident that you CAN continue breastfeed after returning to work. Connect with other breastfeeding moms for encouragement and support. ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED (time, space, support) from your employer. Employers, look online for a myriad of resources available to help you implement a lactation program. Let's view this as a public health imperative. Someday, breastfeeding will become part of the fabric of our society. When moms of infants (up to 1 year - or even older) return to work, it will be simply UNDERSTOOD that they need to continue providing HUMAN MILK for their offspring. Any substitute is inferior, and our babies deserve the best we can give them.
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Thanks for the Support
How interesting that I happened on this article as I was, you guessed it, pumping at work...
I've been back to work for a month now and am slowly getting into the groove of pumping at work! I am fortunate enough to have my own office, work in academia, and have colleagues who are understanding and supportive. All in all, not a bad environment.
Since it isn't always feasible to say "I have to go pump for 15-minutes", I try to plan accordingly. In fact, I'm still trying to work out a pumping schedule and teaching commitments for tomorrow.
Again, thanks for the support! Women should not have to chose between breastfeeding their babies and going back to work.
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This reminds me of
The scene in The Office, when a woman was pumping right at her desk! It was so funny and I thought quite brave especially because the pervy character who's name I can't recall was just sitting there and staring. I think he even took pictures and used them as his desktop picture.
It's one thing when it's the kids head there, seeing it covered with the platic cup thing was a little odd!
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Mother's milk
Every time I read an article like this, I just wish that HUMAN milk, mother's milk, was not designated "breast milk," as if other organs lactated. Human milk should be our standard for feeding our infants, and then it wouldn't be necessary to differentiate between woman's milk and cow's milk.
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$100 doesn't buy you that
A business could invest as little as $100 and be on its way to giving moms the space they need to pump milk at work. Businesses can start with the basics: a clean, private room with a table, chair, electrical outlet, locking door and no windows (or at least blinds for the windows).
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Statements like this hurt the argument, because they above costs you way more than $100. Assume a small room, 8x10 and you have 80sq of space, at a monthly rate of $10 per foot (which is CHEAP in many places) and you have $800 per month or $9,600 per year or the equal to $4.62 per hour for one full time employee.
For small companies, that's quite an expense, and larger companies are always trying to reduce cost. When people are complaining that too much toliet paper is being used and nobody can have a raise, $9,600 per year becomes an issue.
Frame the argument in terms of how it helps with morale and productivity, how much turnover costs in training, but don't pretend that $100 is the investment needed, because it's simply not true.
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Whuh? You didn't give me a red star?
More importantly, you didn't give catnmus a red star?
Shame on you, Mr. Red Star Delivery Man.
Her comment is certainly one of the more insightful comments in this thread.
Whatsamatter, it criticizes Mieskowski? She can take it, she's a strong female.