Does a conference have to provide somewhere for me to pump?

[ButterPie]

I'm off to the Fabian Society conference at the weekend, lots of prominent lefties etc about so you would think I won't have a problem, but still no reply to the email I sent yesterday to the organiser asking for somewhere to use my breastpump.

Should I send another specifying that it just has to be a relatively private and clean room, ideally with a power point and comfy chair? All I need is two or three ten minute slots in someone's office or something...

I would imagine that they haven't replied because it's just a few days before the conference and the organisers are running around like headless chickens, rather than because they are trying to stop you pumping.

Also, whoever received your email might not have the first clue about what kind of place might be suitable for pumping, and so I would definitely send your description (as in your post above) about what a suitable venue might be. If you haven't breastfed (eg if you are a man! Or don't have children! Or FF!) then the whole thing can be a bit of a mystery.

Hope they can find you somewhere!

I read that and thought 'Powerpoint? Why does she need Powerpoint?'

I would agree that the person receiving your e-mail might not have a clue what pumping involves.

Perhaps say that any place that would be suitable to breast feed would be suitable to pump?
Or just ask to book out a small room for 20 minutes where you can lock the door.I did this, I work for the NHS. No-one needs to know what it's for or what you're doing.

As for "having to provide you...." well, that's like having to provide you with somewhere to BF and we all know what that can be like!

Seriously, all the best, hope you find somewhere suitable and htat the conference goes well.

I just emailed saying:

It just occurred to me that it may not be clear what is needed. I just need use of a relatively private room (possibly an office or something?) for about 10 or 15 minutes each time. A comfy chair and a plug would be a bonus.

Then emailed again saying:

Hiya, me again!
I don't mind if anyone else is using the room, as long as they are not bothered by my boob and a quite noisy machine. If it helps, the milk is for a baby named after Emmeline Pankhurst, who I believe was a Fabian herself...

Do you reckon that covers it? This never arose with DD1 somehow.

I think you should phone the venue, not the conference organisers.

FWIW I can see myself having this problem imminently too, so I'm interested in the outcome. good luck.

Honestly? I think it's tmi. You just needed to keep the request simple, clear and professional. "For medical reasons it would be helpful if I could have the use of a relatively private room for three 15 min periods during the day. If possible a power point would welcomed too." In that sort of environment I personally wouldn't have mentioned that the purpose was for breastfeeding unless absolutely essential. And I wouldn't have thought they 'had' to provide you with any facilities at all.

But I do sympathise, I pumped at work for a couple of months when my son was a year old. It was rarely in ideal circumstances and usually in the (lockable) disabled shower room on our floor.