It's Working Project

"They also sent me to training . . . and placed me in an ammunition room (which is a hazard because of lead exposure) and the training Lt. insisted on coming into the room to get ammo while I was pumping! "

What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?

Take the full 12 weeks of maternity leave. It’s necessary to establish breast feeding.

FOR MOMS: If you breastfed, was there a place for you to pump that met your needs and was conducive to your success? If you breastfed, how did you decide to continue? FOR DADS: What, if any, adjustments did you (or your workplace) make to your schedule after having a baby? Was it specific to your manager or larger, whole work culture?

I didn’t breastfeed my oldest very long and she has digestive problems and allergies. So I was determined to breastfeed my other two to prevent the same issues with them.

How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?

I was out on maternity leave for 12 weeks. However it was unpaid and I had to also pay all of my benefits during that time which have equaled over $2,000.00. That money is now being taken out of my paychecks once I’ve returned so I don’t have much pay now that I’ve returned. It has really been a financial strain on us.

What was your biggest challenge going back to work?

How to continue to breastfeed after returning to work. How to coordinate child care after returning to work. My husband’s job is further away and more demanding so he is unable to help much during the work day.

Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!

How hard it would be to return to work.

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