Is breastfeeding as a working doctor an impossible task?

I am a new mom to a beautiful 8-month-old girl, and I am breastfeeding. I am also a doctor at a large, well-known academic institution. The hospital where I work delivers several thousand babies a year, and highly encourages their new moms to breastfeed. They offer a postpartum consultation with a lactation consultant, keep the baby in the mom’s room 24/7 while in the hospital, and provide several other pro-breastfeeding initiatives. I delivered my baby at the hospital where I work, and I felt very supported in my efforts to breastfeed. After maternity leave, I returned to work, breast pump in tow, with the resolution to continue pumping and breastfeeding for at least a year, as is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Ironically, this has proven to be one of the most difficult things I have ever attempted. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that women with a child under one year of age should be given reasonable break time to express milk, as well as a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public. However, because I work in health care, I have to ask for help covering my patients when I take breaks. Not only is asking for breaks (especially from male colleagues) at times quite awkward, but asking for breaks is not a common thing, and is often frowned upon amongst doctors. Prior to having my baby, I had never asked for a break! Despite these mental hurdles, I got over my pr...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician OB/GYN Pediatrics Source Type: blogs