Lactation room

[Cumberland]

My little sis just started taking classes towards a new degree today. She is nursing her six month old. She spoke to the assistant dean for student affairs last week about a lactation room, and this person told her in thirty years no one had ever asked for one but she would try to find something for her. This lady called her back today and suggested- an outdoor public restroom and for my sister to bring a stadium seat with her!! My sister isnt even sure there is a plug in there. She said it was dirty and gross. I was trying to give her advice- like a study room in the library or reserving a conference room but she said she already asked and was told the study rooms have clear glass and the conf rooms are double booked. She lives in FL so pumping quickly in her car would be tough bc of the heat.
Any suggestions for her? I am really appalled for her.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Lactation room

How modest is she? The reason I ask is that I pumped using my nursing cover on several occasions. So if she were to use one of the study rooms with glass windows she could sit with her back to the windows and cover the pump with her nursing cover. That's really all I can think of off the top of my head.

Re: Lactation room

I think she should ask the HR department what they do for their employees. I find it hard to believe that no one else has needed this space - and I know that there are some rules requiring that space be provided for HR.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Lactation room

They have to give her a space!!! I'm outraged for her. My less-than-mature solution would be to show up at the assistant dean for student affairs office and pump with one of those industrial machines in the lobby.

Empty classrooms? Locker room? Come on! They have to do better than restroom with stadium seat.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Lactation room

Jenn has a good point, I bet HR would have a much better solution.

Re: Lactation room

They have to give her a space!!! I'm outraged for her. My less-than-mature solution would be to show up at the assistant dean for student affairs office and pump with one of those industrial machines in the lobby.

Empty classrooms? Locker room? Come on! They have to do better than restroom with stadium seat.

Outdoor restroom? GROSS

Maybe the dean would like to eat lunch in there.

Re: Lactation room

That is just terrible!

[Michele]

Re: Lactation room

I agree with asking HR and I would also ask any professors she knows who have been pregnant. It's likely the unofficial lactation room is near the offices. We had an official one at the vet school over by the attendings' offices.

[MDPhDWife]

Re: Lactation room

That is ! I was working while nursing and although there wasn't a lactation room that was designated, I was able to convince HR to create a "quiet room" with curtains and I used that.

She needs to be persistant and I'm sure they will eventually accomodate her. It's just that she's having to jump through hula hoops.