Where to Pump?

J.-

You could call ahead and request a spot.

Since you will be on a college campus, there may be a classroom that is empty that will provide you with the privacy you seek.

I had to go on a day trip when I was nursing my daughter and since I wasn't the one driving, I sat in the back seat and pumped while we were on the road. It worked!

Hi J. -

I have pumped in my car many of times. I sit in the back seat behind the driver or passenger. I put a blanket in the window (roll window down and close blanket in the window). I used my car lighter adapter instead of batteries and that worked well. Kind of sucks but at least you are in a familiar place!

I went to Kings Island just a month after my daughter was born. I had the same issue, I didn't know where I was going to pump. Being a first time mom, I worried about my supply if I didn't pump enough, but it turned out fine. I pumped on the way there, one time while I was there, and on the way home. When we were at the park, I pumped in the restroom (in the stall, I know- gross) and had to flush the milk. I didn't have anywhere to store it. That was very difficult for me, since I was storing up for my return to work. If it's convenient to go to your car and you have a battery operated pump, there's no reason you couldn't do that. Just take a small blanket to cover up with. I often had to pull over in my car to BF my baby, so I don't think that's such an odd place to do it. Good Luck

Since you've never been to this place before, ask the person heading the training if there is a private place that you can use. I would assume that being a campus, there has to be someplace.

You might ask if you could borrow an office for 15 minutes. Most people, especially other moms would be happy to help out! If not, I've pumped in the car too.

I have pumped in bathrooms couple of times, but never in the stall. I think there was a chair in the one and maybe I dragged a chair into the other. I look at it this way: being on a college campus, you are a great example to other young women out there who may have never seen a nursing baby or a pumping mom. It shows that breastfeeding is important to you. (only you and other BF moms will know that the pumping is essential when the baby is not around so you don't have milk-missiles in there. lol) Look them in the eye, smile and chat if you feel comfortable. Also being comfortable will help with let-down, if you're not used to pumping.

If the bathrooms are gross there, you might consider a health center, women's counseling center, an empty classroom, or even one of the department offices with a female secretary working.

Be proud of what you are doing.

Good luck,
Laura

My breast pump plugs into the car charger so with my first (and probably with the second) I would sit in my car on my lunch break and pump. I work in the construction industry with an office full of men so that was the most comfortable place for me and even that took some getting used to! I have an office but no lock and lets be honest, those pumps aren't quiet! I didn't like the idea of my office or bathroom with anyone listening!

I think your car should be a good idea, I have pumped 'n' of times in my car that works great, I hate the idea of pumping in the rest rooms, I feel its too unhygenic, also since you are in a campus, find yourself an empty class room or conference room. Hope this helps!. Good Luck!

Call ahead and ask them to make arraingements for you. I ALWAYS did even when I went to a concert at an area arena for its innagural event. Staff was prepaired, iahd names of people Ihad spoken too adn they made sure that I had a noce clean place to pump with electricity for my electric pump so it took less time. Pumping isn;t taboo anymore so don;t allow it to be for you either!

When I was nursing, my husband and I went on a marriage conference together. I had to find places to pump at this huge ordeal, and I was very anxious about this, so I actually called the person in charge of the function and asked for their suggestions. They set me up with the hotel manager or something and they aside a room especially for me to pump during breakout sessions (we were not staying at the hotel, but going back home each day.)

I had other similiar situations when I nearly freaked out, but common sense told me to just 'ask'!
I'd recommend that you call this place ahead of time & let them know what you just asked. Most likely someone will offer to get you an empty office, break-room, classroom, or somewhere for you to pump w/o having to park your car in no-wheres-land ;0)

Best wishes!

I too was nursing and had to go on an all day trip. I contacted the administrative offices and spoke with someone who was nice enough to allow me to use a back office.

As a side note, I had to request options like this quite a few times while I was nursing, and women (believe it or not) are less "friendly" about this than men. I was well respected and treated better, overall, by the men than the women.