Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What do I do when my job is offering unsanitary/non-private space to pump for my 2 month old?
In Texas they have to provide you privacy and break time. Maybe in your vehicle?
At my work, woman use the lunchroom… but work also put up a privacy room… just 4 walls of curtains… federal govermenrt building, so you know they have to do something
Jobs r dime a dozen babe thier gonna say we offered he a place weither it was clean or not is hear say they say. Get that away from u. U or ur babydont need the negative effects that will come.
They have to offer a private place that’s specifically NOT the restroom that’s how pa law is anyway
Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What do I do when my job is offering unsanitary/non-private space to pump for my 2 month old?
Since the bathroom is in your workplace can you clean it, to bring it upto your standards? Then problem solved.
Get freemie cups and use break room. I used to use freemie cups and I would pump at my desk with about 20 other people around. No one even knew I was pumping.
Well clean bathroom or pump keeping yourself covered but they in fact gave you 2 locations to pump and you refused that’s on you
Just get a nursing cover and pump in the break room or pump in your car? Some places don’t have private rooms… I work at a gas station. My options are the office if the boss isn’t there. The back office where there’s a camera, my van, or the cooler but that’s tooo cold.
How long are you at work for?
I would personally pump at h home first then go work … but understand if you are working a full day you would be in pain.
It is the law that you be provided a clean private place to pump that is not a bathroom. Look up your states laws and tell them to provide you those accommodations.
All y’all saying she should’ve used the bathroom to pump how about you go into the bathroom for now on and prepare your food then eat it ! As for saying she shouldve used the breakroom why don’t y’all just go to work without a shirt and let your coworkers see your breasts see how you like it ! If I was her I would’ve turned both of them down also !
Get a cover up for the break room? The world can’t tip toe around you.
Clearly all these people responding are heartless individuals who also likely never were a breastfeeding mom… shame on them… maybe print out rules on what your pumping space can or cant be… maybe ur manager doesnt know so educate them and go from there!!! They may not know how there options are wrong!
Pump in the break room 
what’s it matter if they see your breast or bring a cover.
Are their any offices you could utilize? Ideally it would be a private lockable room.
Elvie!! Get it and never look back.
I know a women who sued a company over not having anywhere to breast feed
They gave u two options. No one said no. U could have put a note on the break room door . I’m sorry but if I need to pump I’m going to pump. I don’t need a five star room to do it in. If bathroom is so dirty then clean it u do work there or tell custodial. U could have went to ur vehicle also but u chose to make a big deal and leave. They had no problem w u doing that either ,but u were being a Karen. I breast fed all three and I know if u are in that much pain and engorged u will pump anywhere. Kinda sounds suspicious. Someone Wouldn’t be trying to cash in on this and stay home w baby , would we??? Looking for a case.
I thought whipping out the tatas to breast feed and pump was the new normal, I didn’t think people cared about others seeing their boobs. IMO I’d prefer privacy myself, but just get something to cover you while in the break room, if you’d prefer a door then you may just have to clean the bathroom before hand…. Unless they want to build an additional space just for breast feeding moms not sure there’s much else they can do for accommodations
i would probably pump in my vehicle and hang up shades on the windows for privacy. i would not pump in a bathroom or an open break room.
I don’t know where you work or what job you do.
But I’ve had jobs where inside the building there was only a small handful of places to go. Break room. Bathroom.
You can’t expect your manager to make a room appear where there isn’t one…or risk getting in trouble for violating any standards the company, osha, or health department holds if you’re wanting to pump in a location where codes/rules don’t allow (like kitchens. Private offices that aren’t yours ECT)
So while you feel like your manager isn’t being reasonable…you also have to be reasonable.
You were given options that you don’t like. So what’s a reasonable next step?
You have choices, if the bathroom is unsanitary in your opinion, ask for additional time to clean before you pump in there.
I pumped in the bathroom with all 3 of my babies and in my car with a cigarette lighter adapter. I put a chair in the bathroom and my assistant complained to my boss. He told her to bug off. 
I don’t see the breakroom as a problem … no diffrent than feeding at a restaurant in full view at a table… requesting a private lockable room seems a bit much to me… 
I used an office and they put up a sign for me and a pull down cover on the window! I just asked and she would leave when needed & i told her I’d need no more than 15 minutes bc i wasn’t going to clean the bottles there. It can be intimidating trying to pump ina. Break room when anyone can come in without notice when you’re still learning the equipment. Maybe you can get a sign for outside the break room to deter people from coming in for a few?
If the restroom is truly unsanitary - report that to the board of health. Offering the restroom for you to attend to yourself is completely acceptable.
Sounds to me like your picky ass needs to just stay home until ur done with this process…They offered you two locations make it work or stay home…Problem solved…
Our work put a curtain up for pumping mothers. It was fast food place and if the curtain was closed you didn’t go in.
When I was pumping for my daughter when I first returned to work I was given various options such as marketing office, pharmacy vaccination office. Both had locked doors. I even pumped in my car sometimes. My daughter is now 8. When I was pregnant with my son, who is now 3, the company had a designated “nursing room”. It was a small room with a built in table, two chairs, and outlets. Also a bench seat to place your bag/purse.
I mean if that’s all they have what are they supposed to do? I can tell you in my place of employment we literally have the bathroom, breakroom, and the main space… Not all places of employment can give you a private room to pump…
That’s messed up they are actually supposed to let you… but you can try the fitting room. ? When I worked for Walmart that’s where I pumped
It’s against the law. Know your rights as a breast feeding mom. By law in all 50 states they are to provide a room that isn’t a bathroom with an outlet and a lock on the door.
Wow pump in your car. Use the bathroom. Come on now.
It’s illegal for them to not offer you a private place to pump that is not a restroom.
Pumping is equivalent to breast feeding. Just pump. That’s not being insensitive at all. Do you expect them to build a room just for you to pump? They gave you options. Bring a feeding cover if you’re concerned about others possibly seeing your breast.
All of you saying the bathroom is an acceptable or sanitary place to pump breastmilk are incorrect. Please do some research and stop making mothers feel bad about this. You wouldnt prepare your lunch or food for customers in the bathroom and you shouldnt be preparing food for an infant in the bathroom. I suggest you all read. What employers need to know | Office on Women's Health
Hi … I’m an ibclc… there are laws to protect you… if the company has more than 50 employees you have to be provided a private space that is not one with a toilet . Even if it is just a curtained off area . Go to hr. Print them a copy of the law. There are options while they figure that out or if they’re a smaller company … there are cups like freemie that you can use very discreetly and depending what kind of work you do you can pump and work at the same time… other options are to use a nursing cover for discretion or even to pump in the car. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Sometimes we just have to get a little crafty to make it work
I wouldn’t listen to bunch of opinions on this subject. Just because some are okay with bathrooms and don’t want privacy doesn’t have merit on law. You need to look up your federal and state laws because many would require an actual reasonable private place.
One common question on US department of Labor
Do employers need to create a permanent, dedicated space for use by nursing mother employees?
No. A space temporarily created or converted into a space for expressing milk or made available when needed by the nursing mother is sufficient provided that the space is shielded from view, and free from any intrusion from co-workers and the public. The location provided must be functional as a space for expressing breast milk. If the space is not dedicated to the nursing mothers’ use, it must be available when needed in order to meet the statutory requirement. Of course, employers may choose to create permanent, dedicated space if they determine that is the best way to meet their obligations under the law.
And for all of you who are saying a restroom is acceptable… first it is not lawful… second… would you like your food prepared by a toilet ??? 
It’s against the law in TN. I don’t know if it’s a federal thing. But you are required to have a sanitary space that’s not a common space that you can have privacy in. If your company has 50people or more in it.
You are also legally allowed time to pump, in TN it’s 20minutes every 3 hrs.
Use a cover to pump, wear a tank under your shirt. I had no private space to pump. I made it work
They have to provide you with “The space provided by the employer cannot be a bathroom and it must be shielded from view and free from intrusion by coworkers or the public.”
They don’t have an office you could borrow for the 15 minutes? Also, I would bring a nursing cover regardless.
Does the manager have an office you can use?
Look up the laws in your state. I’m in PA and location is like the biggest part of our law here. Some states have more laws than here too! So check it out. I wasn’t happy with what my work offered, they actually contacted a lawyer and found out exactly what was required. Check out your legal rights for sure!
Sounds like you should stay home. But im sure it not going hurt you or your milk where you do it at …
You have rights and you are protected. They need to find proper accommodation for you.
Put the company on blast so I know to never go there
I think that’s against the law.
I would speak to hr asap that’s not cool.
Go to your car. Lots of mamas do it.
Ever body got tits all gods children got tits no big deal and thay make blanket to cover them up
I truly understand being a place to pump but did you trying using ones that are wireless so you can still work and pump at the same time? A girl ik who did construction did it that way
Some of y’all are uneducated and insensitive to this subject! Do some research before you comment. This is a law that companies must abide by! She has a right to have a clean and private space to pump! 
That doesn’t mean her company has to remodel, but they do have to accommodate.
For the one asking the question: look up the laws in your state. Print them out for your employer/supervisor and kindly explain them. Ask them what you can do to help accommodate the situation and come to a solution. The sooner the situation is taken care of the better. The employer may not be aware so help them understand and offer to help them help you as best as you are capable.
Can Use a cover and pump in the break room you don’t need a door.
Hang a sign in the door way use the Caution wet floor sign. And tape a sign to it.
Yes a bathroom was not a proper clean space. But can be used in a pinch if needed.
Wow some pretty rude and unfeeling comments here by a bunch of women who should be more understanding. Just because you, or a friend, or a coworker were made to pump in the bathroom or without privacy does not mean someone else has to do it.
Some people are more modest and should absolutely have a private area to pump, that is not a freaking bathroom or open to CO workers or the public.
Women and Especially mothers are extremely disrespected in the workplace.
Some of you women should be ashamed for not supporting other women breastfeeding and needing to pump.
If you don’t have any helpful advice then move along, Don’t leave a condescending remark to a mom already struggling. These nasty comments are getting worse and worse on the daily on this page.
Check your laws and defend your rights to have a clean private area without a toilet to pump.
Can u use manager office or use the staff / dinner room but ask them to jst pop a curtain n rail or somethn up for privacy ? "
I pumped in the bathroom… Its as sanitary as you make it… Wash your hands and equipment well and unless its completely unclean, you should be fine.
There were actually 2 bathrooms in our office. Both unisex, but one was more for the guys and one more for the girls. (Basically cuz the girls worked downstairs and the guys upstairs.)
I ended up using the guys bathroom because they were way more understanding than the women (who would complain about me taking so much time… Taking up the bathroom, etc) they were all raised in formula days and didn’t get the point.
The guys were way more understanding. Didn’t make sense to me at all.
That was 18 years ago tho.
I know in my state, by law, they are required to give you a private place to pump.
I had to get pushy, bring in the laws, and threaten to complain up the chain if I wasn’t given a sanitary , private place with an outlet to pump. (They offered the bathroom or a closet.)
Dude I had to pump in the back of an ambulance when I was breastfeeding to get it done at work. Make do with what they have, it sucks that not every workplace isnt as accommodating but make it work and do it in your car or something, get some curtains for your car and your golden. If you wanna take your grievances to HR for something more private by all means but figure it out in the meantime
I’d ask for a curtain up on the door of the break room and sign saying the break room is off limits until the curtain is open. By law they need to accommodate a private and clean area to pump. Work with them as best as you can but it shouldn’t require much effort on their part.
I don’t understand why you can’t pump in the bathroom? I’ve known several women to do so. I’d understand not wanting to be on camera or a room less door….but I don’t see what the issue with the bathroom is. Depending on where you work….bathrooms are cleaned and sanitized daily, way more than our own homes.
Def speak to hr about it but in mean time I would use managers office.
Legally, they have to offer a private place to pump, and they can get into legal trouble for the bathroom situation.
In bra hands free pump about 60 $ on Amazon
I never had a clean and private space… was offered the toilet, co ed change rooms or my car… i worked in a major emergency centre and was not impressed
Keep working on this. It’s important for you and all who work there
I used to go to my car, hop in the back seat, cover side windows and lay a large towel across head of 2 front seats. Not the most comfortable but it worked. Keep giving your baby mommy milk! Way to go mama! ((Hugs))
What kind of store is it. Do they have a dressing room?
I work in Human Resources- this is against the law. They need to provide you with a sanitary, private area, even if it just a temporary space. I would mention to them that it is against federal law to not provide this space.
Taken directly from the Dept of Labor website:
“A space temporarily created or converted into a space for expressing milk or made available when needed by the nursing mother is sufficient provided that the space is shielded from view, and free from any intrusion from co-workers and the public. The location provided must be functional as a space for expressing breast milk. If the space is not dedicated to the nursing mothers’ use, it must be available when needed in order to meet the statutory requirement.”
“The statute specifically states that the space provided for employees to express breast milk cannot be a bathroom.”
The store manager can give you their office for 20-30 minutes while you pump. If they can’t, go to HR. Not acceptable. I was an executive in retail & this is not okay.
my daughter in law worked at a tire shop…(no accommodations)she just pumped in her car with a nursing cover up not all places can accommodate
Some ideas, get a pumping bra, the ones you put the cups into and it basically holding it in place so you are able to use both hands. After I had my daughter my parents came to stay for 2 weeks and I had one of those bras and pumped and had a sweater over myself in case my dad walked in to use the restroom or something. So that’s something you can do be in the break room have a sweater on someone walks in no one’s going to see you pumping but you’re pumping underneath. Or one thing I did when I started going back to work was I bought myself a wireless rechargeable pump. I will put it on turn it on walk around still do my job but I got to do as I’m pumping and when I’m done I turn it off take the cups out wash everything let it dry and just go by my day till I’m ready to pump again. You just put them in your bra line the holes with your nipples press the button to turn them on they start pumping. And you can control it from an app so you don’t have to actually be pressing buttons on the device. It’s an investment but helps for sure.
I’d just pump in the breakroom and put a sign on the door. Sorry, no breakroom for y’all because the manager can’t accommodate me. Blame her.
Use a nursing cover up too. So what. Someone walks in. Not any different than you feeding the baby in public.
Maybe your boss isn’t aware of the federal law. You must be provided with a a place that is not a bathroom, has a lock, and free from intrusion until your baby is 1.
I remember a co worker pumping in the office
Ignore all the haters. Fact is what they “Think” is acceptable is NOT the law. They have to offer a private & sanitary option for you no matter their BS excuse. Even if it means using someone’s office & locking that door. Look up the specific laws in your state & report them. Fact is some employers won’t bother until they’re actually in trouble for it.
I have no idea what to say I was blindsided the other day when I was about to nurse my daughter - who is about two weeks past her first birthday - and was told I couldn’t do it in my office anymore since she’s over a year old. I didn’t know there was an age limit to the breastfeeding in public law. I mean she’s a small baby, she hardly passes for a year old.
They have to provide a private place to pump.
Where else is there to get privacy? Maybe bring up other places to have it set up or they need to let you excuse yourself to pump
Depending on your location and the size of your company they may or may not be required to provide this.
In the US….If your company employs less than 50 people, there aren’t any protections by law requiring them to provide space to pump. If they have 50 or more people they are required to provide private and sanitary space in which to pump and adequate break time to do so.
If you’re in the first group I suggest asking if you can be allowed to go to your car.
Left my job of 7 years because of this. I was told I could put a shower curtain up in the kitchen next to the pop bag in a boxes. I had an office. But was told I couldn’t pump in there because we weren’t allowed to cover the camera. They have to accommodate you but they don’t have to make it easy. I was going home to pump and turning my day into 12+hours when 9 is required. I got home way later than I should’ve with no clean equipment and my baby already fed. I was in pain. It was a bad day. But I was taught you never quit on a bad day. So I quit the next day & spent time with my baby.
Look into your state’s laws. In CA they have to provide a clean private area that is NOT a bathroom.
Tell them it’s against the law and they have to provide a space.
Depending on where you work there might not be a separate area unfortunately. It almost sounds like a restaurant and generally there is no separate unused rooms or spaces. They can’t create a whole new room in there. I completely understand what you need and want but if that’s the case it’s almost impossible. I’m almost positive the office would have a camera and almost anywhere else in there (if it does happen to be a restaurant)
In Ohio they only have to provide a place to pump if they have 50 or more employees.
If you want to use the break room I would try a shower pole and hang a curtain and sign and say “pumping in progress, please come back in 20 minutes”… I’d also get a cover for the dummies who would probably still walk in. But people I think would stop once they walked in on u at least once lol so wouldn’t think you would still have a problem after that. Or I would use my car just for the sake of argument, cleanliness, and privacy. Good luck hun!
Ask to pump in their office. 1 girl I work with pumps in the bathroom bc places don’t have a space for that and she don’t want to use their office even tho they offered
Maybe not something you want to her but there are breast feeding covers… I used them while pumping
File a suit against them move on there’s jobs everywhere
Just a suggestion: I’ve seen some moms use the breast pumps the you put inside your bra so they can still go about their business doing whatever they want. I understand everyone here is saying “but the law” and such. Just thought I would offer a suggestion about using a more private pump. Best of luck! And congratulations on the baby. 
Take them to court and get a different job. Research places that do support pumping 100%
Seems you are familiar with the job place, what is your solution? Where do you feel would be a reasonable space? Be willing to help with the solution.
Entitled much?.. This is a pathetic post…you are an adult…you absolutely do not need a special room…who are you people on here who think EVERYONE has to cater to your wants?!!