The Expressing Challenge

When I first started work after the 2-month maternity leave, I was determined to exclusively nurse Lil Cub for as long as I could. So, geared with my so-called 'camera bag' and a no-nonsense blue coleman cooler, I braved the daily knowing smiles and cliched jokes of 'what-organ-did-you-bring-today' I get in the elevators proudly. The first day, I came to the harsh reality that there was no 'proper' place for me to express!

Some suggested (through their experience) to use the handicapped toilet. Went in, but decided I just couldn't. I mean, talk about hygiene...what is the use of sterilising everything if you're gonna contaminate it that way right? So after scouting around for the best place, I ended up in the filing room. Filled with ancient files and empty boxes, I sat in between them 3 times a day. Sometimes I imagine myself as someone in hiding in some mystic place, trying to block the rest of the world out. I say this because I used to lock the door, and often when people needed files, they would try opening the doors repeatedly (and loudly). My buddy Emm (who was then just married) labelled me as a homeless bum because I lived in boxes, which was kinda true. I did look like one.

Although I have stopped breasfeeding Lil Cub for almost a year now, imagine my excitement when I was told my new OPU has a room especially for feeding moms. Apparently a lady Management Staff was also nursing, but in the comfort of her room. She saw how some of her staff, some of them new mothers, faced difficulty going thru motions and finding a private place to do so, hence proposing to the management create a room for this. They decided to split the smoking room for that purpose.

The intent was great. It is a small room, quipped with a small fridge and a table. It is not great, but a good start. But after a while, people started using the place as a surau due to a small number of nursing mom using it. It is rather small, and I don't think it would be very condusive for anyone to express comfortably in that confined area together with others. I was informed that since there are currently no nursing moms around, it became a temp surau.

Personally, I think it shouldnt. I think it should be a proper room not just for the use of a certain OPU, but any nursing moms within 5-6 floors. After all, it is all under FMSU and PETRONAS right?

Whatever it is, I salute PGB for getting the ball rolling. And may it improve in time.