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I gave birth to twins fairly recently, and will be going back to work soon. I breastfeed my children, which is recommended by most professional medical associations for the first year of life. I am wondering, though, what the best way to go about breast pumping at work will be.
Right now the Army is the only branch of service without a breastfeeding policy. The Navy and Air Force, and even the Marines all encourage breastfeeding and require a room to be provided for the purpose of pumping. Not so with the Army.
So, I'm wondering - do most commands support breastfeeding? What kind of accommodations have you made for your troops? What is the best way to go about pumping at work so that it will be supported? I will inevitably have to pump during work hours, as well as during lunch and other normal breaks, in order to prevent infection.
I am torn between wanting to look like new motherhood has not affected my work ability, and wanting to do the best thing for my children.
http://breastfeedingincombatboots.com/military-policies/
Right now the Army is the only branch of service without a breastfeeding policy. The Navy and Air Force, and even the Marines all encourage breastfeeding and require a room to be provided for the purpose of pumping. Not so with the Army.
So, I'm wondering - do most commands support breastfeeding? What kind of accommodations have you made for your troops? What is the best way to go about pumping at work so that it will be supported? I will inevitably have to pump during work hours, as well as during lunch and other normal breaks, in order to prevent infection.
I am torn between wanting to look like new motherhood has not affected my work ability, and wanting to do the best thing for my children.
http://breastfeedingincombatboots.com/military-policies/
Posted in these groups: 
Army
Women in the Military
Army Women in the Military
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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Non-issue as long as you inform your chain of command that you will need some time throughout the day to do it, and just don't simply go "ghost" when you pump.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Sgt John Burch seriously? You have an issue with breast pumping? Or are you simply going thorugh and down voting all of my posts?
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Absolutely I just don't want to see it....I admit I'm squimish. At one point I had 3 soldiers that needed to be able to pump at work, particularly right before they were going to go on a two week exercise and needed to have a stockpile for their significant others to have.
At lunch time I'd leave my office...they'd put a piece of paper over the window and do their thing. If I was still in the office they'd go down to the women's locker room and do it. Then they'd store it in my mini fridge until the end of the day. As long as they got what I needed them to do done...I was more than happy to support and accommadate their need to do what they needed to do.
At lunch time I'd leave my office...they'd put a piece of paper over the window and do their thing. If I was still in the office they'd go down to the women's locker room and do it. Then they'd store it in my mini fridge until the end of the day. As long as they got what I needed them to do done...I was more than happy to support and accommadate their need to do what they needed to do.
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You have a lot of guts to want this and I mean that is a positive way although it may sound negative. The whole idea of breastfeeding in today's society is all for it until they see someone that needs a special room or God forbid nurse in public. I am a true supporter of anyone who what's to take on the task!
I nursed both my children, one was nine years ago while I was active duty Navy, even then although it really wasn't that long ago didn't have much on way of a policy but boy did I have the support from my command. I was one of the first women in my shop to choose to nurse and pump at work, the guys all teamed up to make a special space just for me with a mini fridge and all to store milk. My second child was only 4 years ago in the civilian world and they where also completely supportive of my choice, they even have specially designed rooms.
The best suggestion that was given to me was let your command know what your intentions are before you return to work so there are no surprises and they can be well prepared, be up front and honest with what you are asking. Lay out your plan and what you need and let them know how this is going to effect your job duties, the last thing anyone wants it's to feel like they where being blind sided.
Good luck and I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your family as well as for you fellow soldiers, they are important too because they are the ones that will be supporting you while you work!
I nursed both my children, one was nine years ago while I was active duty Navy, even then although it really wasn't that long ago didn't have much on way of a policy but boy did I have the support from my command. I was one of the first women in my shop to choose to nurse and pump at work, the guys all teamed up to make a special space just for me with a mini fridge and all to store milk. My second child was only 4 years ago in the civilian world and they where also completely supportive of my choice, they even have specially designed rooms.
The best suggestion that was given to me was let your command know what your intentions are before you return to work so there are no surprises and they can be well prepared, be up front and honest with what you are asking. Lay out your plan and what you need and let them know how this is going to effect your job duties, the last thing anyone wants it's to feel like they where being blind sided.
Good luck and I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your family as well as for you fellow soldiers, they are important too because they are the ones that will be supporting you while you work!
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