Special update: We are excited that our blog post has been chosen to be part of September’s Carnival of Breastfeeding! The theme this month is "breastfeeding and work," and there's a lot to talk about. After you read our post, check out the links to other great blogs that are covering this topic. Happy reading!
In our first book, If These Boobs Could Talk, we explored the hilarity of breastfeeding. But one issue we didn't touch on -- which I will cover now -- is the whole pumping-at-work situation.
Invariably, one of the times you go to use the "pumping room" (or whatever your office calls it), the door is locked.
You ask around, looking for help. You are told that you need to see the "facilities guy."
OK, fine. So you hunt him down. And this fellow is a burly man. A manly man. You don't want to be discussing your breastfeeding issues with him, but your boobs are becoming increasingly engorged. You must pump soon! So you dive in.
Things go downhill from there.
And there it is. The "B" word.
The facilities guy becomes extremely flustered. All he can hear is the word "breast" reverberating around him, echoing through his head. Did I just hear the word breast at work?? Who is this young lady?? Can I run away from her?? Someone... help.. me...
This goes on for a while.
A long while. In fact, you don't even know how long because -- mercifully -- the problem is solved by someone else.
As for the facilities guy... well, he'll be traumatized for weeks. But, hey, at least HE doesn't have to shove his boob into a big suction device in hopes of pumping out three ounces of milk.
In fact, you could try telling him that next time. Just make sure he has a soft place to land when he faints.
Other Carnival Breastfeeding Posts:
The Milk Mama: A Job Where Everyone Breastfeeds Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Breastfeeding at My Family Daycare Marshins: Taking Your Working Boobs to Work Strocel.com: Working and Breastfeeding a Toddler The Marketing Mama: Working and Pumping Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Breastfeeding and Working is Possible, and You Can Make it Work Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Do You Really Need a Pump? Vanderbilt Wife: I Think This Officially Makes Me a Mommy Blogger babyREADY: What About Breastfeeding When I Go Back to Work? Stork Stories: My Breast Pump and I Didn't Get Along Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Ask an LC: What About Pumping?
Breastfeeding 1-2-3: Tips for Breastfeeding and Working
Breastfeeding Mums: Breastfeeding and Working in the UK
Blacktating: The 5 Biggest Mistakes Working & Pumping Moms Make
MumUnplugged: This is a Breastfeeding Office
Best for Babes: Beating the Employment "Booby Trap"
My World Edinwild: Nursing Mothers Need Workplace Support
That was too funny. Did you do all those comic drawings?
Posted by: Melodie | September 27, 2009 at 04:49 PM
I am so thankful to have had an office with a LOCKING door to pump behind! Although several times I had to shout, "Come back later!" to my male co-workers through the door.
Posted by: Vanderbilt Wife | September 27, 2009 at 06:16 PM
I'm grateful I've never had to go somewhere else or private to pump. One of the perks of being self-employed I suppose.
Great illustrations!
Posted by: Sam @ babyREADY | September 27, 2009 at 06:58 PM
That? Is hilarious!
Although I will say that I occasionally find breastfeeding allies in the strangest of places. You never know when the Facilities Guy will be the father of breastfed infants, you know? ;)
Posted by: Amber | September 27, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Thanks, all, for the good comments! I did do the drawings. :) That was a great point about occasionally finding breastfeeding allies in the strangest places. That's happened to me too!
Posted by: Adrienne Hedger | September 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM
This is laugh-out-loud funny! I love it. Thankfully I never had to deal with "facilities guy" but based on the ones we have here, it probably would have gone in a similar fashion!
Posted by: Elita | September 28, 2009 at 01:10 PM
What a great post, Adrienne! It put a big smile on my face... The illustrations are fantastic; you should put a few more of these together for a book ;)
Posted by: Sinead at Breastfeeding Mums | September 29, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Oops, I've just realised you've done the book!! Now I'll just have to buy it :)
Posted by: Sinead at Breastfeeding Mums | September 29, 2009 at 11:48 AM
lol the "B" word! I love breastfeeding comics.
Posted by: Lisa C | September 29, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Great post! :)
I've had to have that most uncomfortable conversation with facilities guys before... and even worse is when it's a strange place. I've asked for "a spare office" to pump in before, and had older women and janitors tell me to just "use the bathroom."
At a sports arena one time I had no choice but to use an old smelly locker room. Seriously. I chose that over the bathroom. They locked it from the outside for my privacy and the facilities guy had to come back in 20 minutes to let me out. NO PRESSURE. :)
Posted by: Missy @ The Marketing Mama | September 29, 2009 at 09:15 PM
thank you for the post, i am more than impressed!
Posted by: Padded nursing bras | November 21, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Thank you for the post, you have been more than helpful, keep posting here!
Posted by: Ameda Ultra | November 29, 2009 at 05:06 AM
The illustrations are great and you should put a few more of these together for a book.
Posted by: propane garage heaters | January 25, 2010 at 02:18 PM