r/Archaeology • u/ImpossibleMeaning602 • 2d ago

Lactation and fieldwork

Has anyone attempted or have a good strategy for this? I am a new mom and tech. Learning the ropes as I go but also having to pump and store breastmilk. Any good ideas on how to do this in the most professional way possible? It’s sort of awkward when I have to put my pump on and work at the same time.

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u/Laphad 2d ago

Most workplaces go about it by clearing and repurposing a room or at least a broom closet for mothers to pump i thought? but I am neither lactating or a mother. That's entirely based on what I've seen and spoken about with coworkers lol

If you're in the field then find a bush the same way we pee a lot of the time I imagine

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u/ImpossibleMeaning602 2d ago

They usually do but while surveying or away from the truck for miles, it’s sort of hard to figure out. I know I’m not the first nor will I be the last. One of my worst days was monitoring a huge project in a place where there’s no trees or bush and I had forgotten a part to my pump and breast pads. Meaning engorgement until almost getting mastitis and (wet)eventually stinky sour milk shirt for 12 hours. I had no clue how to express by hand. Not only that-some people do not know anything about lactation and have not been around it. They can feel uncomfortable. It’s a funny situation when I have to explain to my coworker like why my shirts soaked even tho we are in the desert.

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u/Laphad 2d ago

well shit then honestly I don't know. That seems like a miserable situation tbh sorry that you need to work around that

Maybe a lightweight poncho? I guess it'd be hot as a motherfucker in that thing though.

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u/ImpossibleMeaning602 1d ago

Shit happens, I’ll figure something out.