Working and pumping

I recently scored my first official paid gig since starting my own business last month, writing about, of all things, breast pumps. Even better, I was able to say to the project manager with a straight face: “I’m the right woman for the job because I actually have some experience in this area. How do you feel about the word ‘nipple?’ ”

While researching this topic, I thought back to my own experiences pumping at work. I was fortunate enough to work for an employer who provided a lactation room, complete with locking door, breast pump, and refrigerator.

Some of my friends, on the other hand, have shared stories with me about pumping in their car, in the locker room behind a shower curtain, or even in a toilet stall. Come on, how hard is it for a company to provide its nursing mothers with one small office? Or even a converted janitorial closet?

For all you working mamas out there who are pumping at work and in need of inspiration, I recently read a story about a group of women at IBM who shared a lactation room and started a journal to detail their experiences. The journal evolved into several journals and eventually morphed into a book. "The Milk Memos," an informative and encouraging guide to balancing work and motherhood, was published by Penguin last month.

I love the subhead: "How real moms learned to mix business with babies -- and how you can, too."

Do you have a story about pumping at work that you'd like to share? If so, I’d love to hear it.