Expressing at Uni?

[naebie]

Hi everyone, I'm returning to uni this semester and my DD is still breastfed. I had my orientation yesterday and found myself having to express in my car because I was too shy to ask someone to pump in their office.

Does anyone have any experience with expressing while at uni? In particular does anyone know if there is anywhere on the Bankstown Campus of University of Western Sydney where I can go to express? I was sure that when I went there 18 months ago for orientation before I found out I was pregnant that there was a 'Womens Room' but it isn't there any more!

Sorry for the rant, and sorry if this is in the wrong section! Maybe I should just be more assertive and ask to pump in an office somewhere!

[RHJ]

I wouldn't know, but maybe if you are uncomfortable asking, maybe you could email them and ask them that way, without having to ask face to face? That way they may be able to email you a map of where you can go to do it? Or maybe the first aid rooms would allow you to express there?

[naebie]

Thanks for that. I'm going to ask via email, or on the tudent site for mature aged students- Perhaps another student has been in a similar situation. I expressed in my car again today:rolleyes:.

[Chickadee]

I haven't been there, but I googled, lol... the campus map (http://www.uws.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/finding_your_way_around/campuses/bankstown) shows a baby changing room in Building 1, though that may just be a drop down table in a toilet.

At my office the women use the first aid room.

Good luck.

[moof3]

I was bf DD4mths old when I went back to uni once a week. Luckily for me I had her on campus with me in an onsite daycare centre. If there is a daycare centre on campus or near by that may be the nicest place to express as this is where babies are the 'norm' better than the car park or baby change room. hth

[gymmummy]

i was wondering to if they had a parent room, there would be a demand for one.
i was at uni last semseter and the number of preggie ladies and mums with bubs on them i was amazed at.

[naebie]

Thanks everyone!
I am sure that there would be a demand for a parents room (and I'm pretty sure that the map online needs to be updated- There is definitely some errors, such as the apparent 'childcare centre' in building 6 which doesn't exist!).
I think I might take it up with the Student Association.

[bigglet]

There should be a room for you to breastfeed which has a couch/sofa and a fridge and the room is lockable.

All uni's that I have been to offer this facility - just ask at the information counter/student support services.

And you can also breastfeed at the children's centre.

[Gabi]

The student association/union would either provide a room or at least know where one is. If they don't there would probably be a women's group on campus who would be happy to make it a priority to get one for the university.

My university provides several (not exactly great ones though) and the parents room is down a series of stairs! Makes it hard to take bub down in the pram.:rolleyes:

[naebie]

I emailed the student association who in turn emailed the student welfare officer. Apparently there is no dedicated room, but I have gotten "special permission" to use the First Aid room. I have to go to security first, tell them that chief of secuity has given me special permission, and get them to unlock it for me.
I wonder what people would do if I just pulled out my pump, popped out a boob and pumped in the cafeteria? :laughing: