To hand express in toilets at work

[Cleo2628]

Second day back at work, have 1yo at home who barely feeds anymore so didn’t think this would happen.

It’s so sore!! I’ve never hand expressed before.

Unsure what to do - I won’t get home until 7 earliest :(

I would!

Make sort of a c shape round your areola and squeeze towards the front

The front being your nipple god knows why I said front

I would too if you'll be in agony later! Just do a little to Take the edge off

Don’t employers have to legally provide a private room/unused office to breastfeed?

Isn't your employer obliged to provide somewhere where you can express that's not a toilet?

To express I mean, not breastfeed. Might be worth asking for a nicer place to do it!

I once had to hand express into the sink in the staff toilet because the pain was so bad. You have my sympathies OP

As others have said there might be somewhere more relaxing / pleasant than the loos -we have a relaxation/prayer room at work that I've used before.

If you are going to try to hand express, make sure you're as relaxed as possible, drop shoulders, try and make sure you're warm too. Massage the breast tissue first. It also often helps if you look at a picture of your little one.

This video is helpful. Ignore that it's for neonatal unit mums. Techniques are the same. From 1.45 onwards.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=j4SsHHSOaWk&t=3s

Thanks everyone - I’ll ask about a room 👍🏼 Bit embarrassed even though I know I shouldn’t be!

Using a warm wide necked glass jar is meant to work too? As it cools you get a suction. I bet a small amount will take the edge off - you’ll have extra hormones with being separated.

Isn't your employer obliged to provide somewhere where you can express that's not a toilet?

No. It's considered best practice to do so but they're not legally obliged. What if they didn't have anywhere? It wouldn't be reasonable to expect a company to move offices or build an extension.

I think they legally have to allow you time to express but they don’t have to legally provide a set area for you to do it in.