Get ready for an eye-opening tale from Jamie Smith about her experiences with pumping breastmilk at work and her infamous ‘milk bowl.’ If you’ve ever had to pump at the office, you’ll want to read this Twitter thread. Writer Jamie Smith decided to share her own challenging story, and trust me, it’s a real rollercoaster.
Every working mom who pumps can relate to the frustration of dealing with colleagues who just don’t get it. No matter how progressive we think our society is, there always seems to be that One Guy™ (usually a man) who finds the whole situation “offensive.”
Smith’s experience occurred some time ago, before workplaces were mandated to provide clean, designated areas for breastfeeding employees to pump (spoiler alert: we’re still not there, even in 2023). The essence of her thread, however, resonates deeply.
Ugh, why do employers act like this?
After every lunchtime pumping session, Smith would head to the breakroom sink to clean her supplies and store her milk. Every single day, without fail, she faced complaints about it. It seems some people have serious issues with the concept of breastmilk being visible. Like, come on, it’s not some gross substance; it’s literally nourishment for babies—oh, and also, it’s the reason we have breasts in the first place!
Of course, it’s usually a guy who raises a fuss. When it’s not a pearl-clutching prude, it’s those who seem to harbor disdain for women’s bodies.
Oh boy, prepare yourself for this.
Yes, everyone was aware of the situation.
This story is more precious than gold. Why is it that men often create the most drama about breastfeeding and pumping? Many nursing moms are likely nodding along as they read Smith’s thread—I certainly am. When I returned to work, my supposedly progressive advertising agency offered me the use of a dingy, unkempt handicapped restroom to pump. The issue with that (aside from the filth and lack of privacy) was that this restroom served as the go-to space for every guy in IT.
You can only imagine how annoyed they were when I came back to work. Suddenly, they had to walk to the eight-stall bathroom meant for non-nursing, able-bodied men. But that didn’t stop them from using the handicapped restroom, where I had to pretend that no tiny particles of filth were contaminating my baby’s milk. They harassed me through emails, passive-aggressive comments, and even by putting up signs on the door to deter me from using their precious space. Two years later, the anger still simmers whenever I think about it.
The lesson here?
Sometimes, men can be the absolute worst—especially regarding women’s bodies and the experiences of working mothers. If you’re tempted to respond with “not all men,” consider stepping back like that one guy and reevaluate your perspective.
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In summary, Jamie Smith’s narrative highlights the ongoing challenges mothers face in the workplace, particularly regarding male coworkers who fail to understand the significance of breastfeeding and pumping. It serves as a reminder of the societal hurdles still present for working moms today.
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