How could you climb the corporate ladder higher or secure your job if you were exclusively pumping Mom who need to pump 3-4 hourly? You still need to dl your high-need baby afterwork and she may wake up every 1-2hour for comfort sucking at night? Sorry being so negative as recently was forced to quit my job by company. I did my job well too just not as efficiency as before. I can't do as late as before as I need to back home on time. I can't put more effort and more focus on work as I need to pump exclusively. Should gov do something to support breastfeeding mummy such as having more flexible time and encourage those company hire breastfeeding mummy? Really feel helpless and depressed. Why mummy have to scarify lots especially their career path?

Currently there have been steps taken to encourage companies to support breastfeeding mothers. In fact, there are even monetary funds that are given out to companies who support work-life balance. However, it is up to every company to decide if they want to support breastfeeding. Interestingly, I have always seen that it's not the logistics of the company that helps a mother balance work and family. It's the individual supervisor in each case. A supportive supervisor (who has a great trusting relationship with the employee) is usually the best scenario. Climbing the corporate ladder takes years. Breastfeeding does not go past 5 years old. As the children grow up, their needs are different. The amount of time they need from you is also different (As mothers of 7 months old vs mothers of 17 yrs old). Likewise each work situation is different - so it is possible for mothers to climb the corporate ladder AND have a family. But it's on a case-by-case basis. Some mothers are blessed with an excellent support system (Grandparents to help, nanny available, good childcare nearby), some mothers have less support. Some mothers have a very understanding boss, who promote them based on their merits and work performance. Other mothers have more demanding bosses that may take things personally and not view them the same because they are mummies. "Motherhood penalty" has been something that has been around since the day women started working. It has improved over the years, but it's the nature of society. Sometimes, some women ask me - why can't the husband sacrifice too? Why can't he stay at home while I build my career (Especially if I earn more)? So it's something that is very unique to every situation as well. I have seen MANY women balance work and family successfully. But I have also seen MANY women put their career on hold to bring up their kids. In both scenarios, some women are happy with their decisions. Some are not. In the end,we have to decide what matters to us at that time. Nothing lasts forever - the kids will grow up. The jobs available to us will change. So, more importantly, it's to ask yourself - what do you and your family need/ want at this moment? Hope this helps you a bit. Good luck! And I strongly believe that every mother is doing her best, so stay positive - remember that your kid(s) love you! And that's the most important thing,right? :)

If I were you, I'd take a few months or even years to concentrate on my child. I've seen plenty of colleagues who take sabbaticals or no pay leave for months on end just to be there for the formative years. After that, some choose to leave their jobs while some are even more geared up than before and they go on to build wonderful careers for themselves, climbing their professional ladders. Previously, I worked in the civil service and worked shifts at a time. The supervisors and bosses were very supportive to mothers. I, myself, was in a supervisory role, and I don't think I've ever deprived a mother from going on a "pumping break". If your employers are understanding, they will be supportive and as long as your work isn't affected, climbing the ladder will be okay, albeit at a slower pace. I'm currently based in Sweden and mothers here climb their "ladders" just fine with babies in tow because of the pro family stance they have here.

Personally i wouldnt climb the ladder. It really depends very much in what you want and prioritise. If the company is unable to accept that you need to do whats best for youraelf, i would leave. To me, a company should nit just care about their job. If yiu care about the staff and their well being they will in return do more for you. Without the staffs there will be no company. It is perfectly understandable that you may have to pump milk etc, we are all humans, we need time to go toilet too. So for me, pumping milk is like going to the toilet. Am i not entitled to that? This being said, of course it applies only if you have completed your job. Neither parties should be compromised. If you have chosen your childs well being, then let it go, there will be better opportunities out there for you. Dont feel bad, press on dear!! You are not alone. Mutual point if view, sorry if i sounded rude or too direct.

I fully agree with you on every point. Women are always at the losing end, and employers always see those working late as working harder than those who don't work late. In my previous job, I felt I had been the subject of discrimination and was deprived of equal opportunities. I left with hard feelings when they stagnated my salary and coincidentally i was headhunted. I am now at a much better place with very flexible timing and do not always need to work late. On pumping, I once had to pump every 2 hours and it was highly stressful for me. I lessened the frequency to every 3-4 hours, and eventually reduced it to pumping only once or twice at work. As for climbing the corporate ladder, i am also working on it but I would say focus on your young child first who needs your attention. You can pursue your career ambitions when your child is slightly older.