Something else I've notices is the women who say 'Yes' (and it's always a woman) are passionate about breastfeeding! They have a vested interest in the initiative, know what breastfeeding has to offer, have used the lactation rooms themselves, or have gone through their own struggles with being able to -- or not being able to pump at work. They also have usually played a hand in organizing and setting up the space -- painting and decorating, and encouraging others by spreading the word. When I come into contact with a male figures and tell them who I am and what I'm doing, I can almost see the question marks lingering over their heads and hear the "And how do I have anything to do with this?" inflection in their voices.
Overall, though, I am really enjoying the experience, and am excitedly learning the ways of each company's services. I am finding many places usually already have some kind of designated space available for an employee to use -- one who feels ill, needs to administer an insulin injection or something of that sort. And though I'm not getting approvals from the places I really want to visit -- those farm and field workers, mines, and other sites where access for these women would seem very challenging -- those marginalized areas, I have walked away in awe of the accommodations of some -- like providing hospital-grade breast pumps in each lactation room for employees that everyone, regardless of rank, has access to. Or infant cribs installed so a child can nap, or a nursling being brought to the mother's work on her lunch break. I still must recognize even though the places I visit (which are all required to have at least 30% hourly-paid workers), are looking awesome so far, there is even privilege in those places. I know many other companies do not have these types of accommodations, or a designated space, and I think about the credentials required of the employee and the role formal education play, and how in spite of a federal law, this affects access and treatment in much of these circumstances. And who can afford and not afford their own breast pump.
The information I have gathered will be up on the national database soon, and I will update this site and provide information on the places I have already and will continue to visit, and hopefully it will provide some uniqe ways to overcome any barriers your company, or another you know of may have faced. Also remember, if you work for or know of a business anywhere in the U.S. that has a lactation station that should be highlighted, visit the Every Mother Website and submit the info!
This GORGEOUS "pumping-in-session" work-site door tag is via itsbetterathome Wordpress blog.
Click to read the inspiration behind it -- Revolutionary Breastfeeding Goddess #8: Finding Space.
