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Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 12:55:21 PM

LuckyAlbatross

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From a daily blog that I read:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/onbalance/2006/09/breast_milk_in_the_news_again.html

This is NOT about the "To breastfeed or not to breastfeed" debate. Anyone who brings that up will be cyberly flogged!

Should breastfeeders be provided separate spaces in order to breastfeed at work, or given special allowances for time spend milking? Why or why not?

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 1:38:20 PM

MistressWolfen

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I personally believe that they should, but it is not too big an issue in Canada as new parents (one of the couple)are granted a 1 year parenting leave with pay if they choose to take it, and many children are being weaned at or around a year of age. I have however seen mother's breast feed and pump at work (in fact just about anywhere). It is always interesting to see the differences in two cultures that are often viewed as indistinguishable by people from other continents. Some Canuck links on the subject should anyone care to have a peek.

http://www.fls-ntf.gc.ca/en/sub_fb_48.asp

http://www.wpnonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=16

*edited to add
and thanks LA..interesting topic

< Message edited by MistressWolfen -- 9/6/2006 1:39:07 PM >

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 1:45:49 PM

mistoferin

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If this country would just grow up and realize that the main purpose for the breast has nothing to do with countless hours of cost free fun for the male we wouldn't need special places. Until that happens(yeah right!) than I think it is a good idea. No one should have to make a choice between breastfeeding their child and a job.

I know that it presented as a major stumbling block for me when I was nursing. My husband was in a very bad accident and I needed to go back to work much sooner than anticipated. Actually, I was working three jobs at the time. None of my jobs provided any type of adequate facilities for my lactating needs, so I used to pump in my car between jobs.

I was at a red light one day, pumping away, when I looked up to my left and saw that there was a large truck at the light next to me. In the passenger seat was a man with his mouth open, eyes wide as saucers, staring at me and smacking the driver to get his attention. The light turned green and I gave him a little wave and a smile and thought to myself, "fuck it, you're never gonna see them again anyway", and drove off. How nice it would have been to have a comfy recliner and a little privacy.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 1:58:05 PM

juliaoceania

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I think that allowances should be made for breast feeding mothers. This article reminded me of a recent episode of Desperate Houswives though that was downright funny! I am wondering if anyone else saw it

I breastfed where ever I was when I had a baby. I was discrete as I could be, and I was not trying to offend, but some people were very immature in their reaction to me. If I went out to eat my baby would always wake up and be hungry in the restaurant. I think it is because the smell of food would make him want his..smiles. I had people glare like I was doing something dirty because I would feed my son in front of them.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 2:10:36 PM

Majik

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Most work places give smokers 'smoke breaks' so what is so different giving nursing moms 'milking breaks'?

I breast fed all three of mine more than 20 years ago and didn't have to much of a problem doing so. I was never asked to leave or stop feeding my baby when I was feeding him in public. For me even before I had unmentionables it was never an issue for me to see a new mom nursing, nor does it bother me today.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 3:34:19 PM

CuriouslyKat

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I could not breast feed my unmentionables. I did try with the first but had major blood loss/ anemia/poor health/pretty much screwed at the time so I did not make enough milk for him and had to go to formula. I think it is a great thing when women can breastfeed and should be encouraged. When I see a woman breastfeed I go "Awwwww' it's a wonderful thing.

Businesses should give special places to pump/breastfeed/allowences....really it is just good business. A happy, less stressed worker is a good worker. Someone who feels they are being taken care of will be more loyal.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 3:37:51 PM

mistoferin

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CuriouslyKat
....really it is just good business. A happy, less stressed worker is a good worker. Someone who feels they are being taken care of will be more loyal.

Oh if we could only get Corporate America to think like this........

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 4:25:00 PM

abytchgoddess4u

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LuckyAlbatross
Should breastfeeders be provided separate spaces in order to breastfeed at work, or given special allowances for time spend milking? Why or why not?

Yes, they should. B/c it will save the gov't huge money down the line on health care, addictions, etc.

Of course, women in the States should definitely get more maternity leave as well...:D

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 6:31:44 PM

LuckyAlbatross

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My response is that it would be nice for all companies to create a small "quiet break room" for someone to go in whenever they need a few minutes of privacy or reflection or whatever.

I do not think there should be separate special private areas set up exclusively for breastpumpers, nor that companies should be made to be bad guys because they do not make special accommodations for people who choose to breastpump.

I think people should be able to breastfeed or pump ANYWHERE. I think if people make the choice to breastpump AND spend a large part of their day in a public workplace, they should make some compromises and put aside their modesty issues.

As well, nonbreast pumpers need to realize there will always be breastpumpers in the work place and deal with it maturely.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 6:34:56 PM

bandit25

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Maybe they should be able to, but those pumping or feeding may not be comfortable doing it in front of others so I'm all for places set up for that. It's really not that hard to do. I work for a rather large corp and we just got a petition going. Guess what? We now have a place for pumpers!

(in reply to LuckyAlbatross)

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 6:44:41 PM

gooddogbenji

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Not being female, and not really knowing about to breastfeed or not to breastfeed, I will still not refrain from commenting.

I think these are all good ideas. I think a quiet break room is a good idea, until 2 people want to use it, or until several people start to talk once inside, or whatever. I think that issue is solvable.

A slightly different perspective on the anywhere thing. A few points:

Let's say a lady is at her desk, in her cubicle, with a breast pump, and a male coworker walks in. How long before someone makes a comment/mishears a comment/invents random facts and the sexual harassment suits start?

Who is respecting my right to not have to look at ugly tits?

What if legislation is introduced that women are allowed to pump milk anywhere, and some waitress decides to do it in front of guests?

I realize these are all immature, extreme points, but knowing American culture and the lawsuits thereof, I know they would come up.

Unfortunately, I don't think North Americans are mature enough for this. But for the private room thing, or a library type large room with "stalls," where everyone can sit alone & in peace, great!

Yours,

benji

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 6:47:09 PM

MySweetSubmssive

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There would be, as others have noted, benefits for the company if mothers had a comfortable, private room to pump in. The tricky part of a room that would be for anyone to relax in would be that the lack of privacy could interfere with milk let-down, getting in the way of a breastfeeding woman benefitting from it. Most women I know who have pumped at work who haven't used the bathroom (yurp!) have simply found an out of the way room to use.

Of course, it would be even better if we had more reasonable maternity leave and support for new families, like in sane countries like the Netherlands.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 7:05:38 PM

MistressWolfen

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MySweetSubmssive
like in sane countries like the Netherlands.

*waves a beaver stuck to a maple twig* or Canada?

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/6/2006 9:29:13 PM

FangsNfeet

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Mothers should always be allowed to "Release the Hounds" to feed that infants whenever needed. I'll never complain. Hell, even if you don't have children, release the hounds anyway.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/14/2006 2:01:54 AM

ExquisteLace

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Yes, the workplace should provide a comfortable private area for those breastfeeding mothers who choose to use the facitlity. In my workplace, we have a breastfeeding room with a recliner, beautifully decorated for our moms and babies. Sometimes I go in there to put my feet up for a few minutes. It's really nice.

But I do have a pet peeve: Indecreet breastfeeding where "the sisters" are completely exposed with no blanket or covering in public, like out in our waiting area or at my desk! I am talking full or partical exposure of most of the breasts, pulled from over the top of the shirt or fully open shirt. By law mothers have the right to breastfeed freely so I don't have the right to ask her to cover up. I indicate that we have a breastfeeding room, but most mother decline as they are comfortable. I don't know. It's just uncomfortable for me sometimes when I am counseling and wham, the " sisters" just appear. Hey baby has to eat and it's a beautiful thing and I don't say anything lol!. And more power to being comfy with one's sexuality. I'm just saying: I personally wouldn't want all mine "out and about". I would need a blanket or something.

Is covering up something a mother just does?
Do lactation consultants encourage mothers to cover themselves?

EQL.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/14/2006 4:56:15 AM

twicehappy

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I breastfed all three of mine when they were hungry, where ever and when ever though i did keep a light blanket to cover up in some places, not due to my modesty but due to the gawking males. I mean come on guys, i was not doing a floor show in public i was feeding my baby.

So yes, a quiet room for moms would be a good thing, at least until we all grow up enough to realize breast feeding is a normal "vanilla" process. Same thing for pumping your breasts, it is very difficult to do in the ladies room.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/14/2006 6:31:06 AM

philosophy

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....special place perhaps, in the sense that a special room might be better than the factory floor or the office space. However, special time? i'm less sure that is a good idea. The timing of breastfeeding is up to the mother and child, not the boss.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/14/2006 6:34:22 AM

twicehappy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

However, special time? i'm less sure that is a good idea. The timing of breastfeeding is up to the mother and child, not the boss.

True, that is why i made no comments on the time to feed the baby.

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RE: Special Time & Place for Breastfeeders? - 9/14/2006 7:28:48 AM

LuckyAlbatross

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quote:

ORIGINAL: twicehappy
True, that is why i made no comments on the time to feed the baby.

That question was more of a "should they be able to take milking breaks and not expected to make up the time?"

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