Breastfeeding Mother Does Not Get Extra Time During Exam To Pump Milk For Daughter
Sophie Currier is a Harvard medical student who asked for longer breaks during her medical exams so that she could pump breast milk for her four month old daughter. The National Board of Medical Examiners initially refused her request, saying that all students must receive equal treatment when taking the exams. She then decided to sue.
Yesterday a judge rejected her request for longer breaks saying that she does not deserve extra breaks during the nine hour test. Sophie had already asked for and received special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act for her dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, allowing her to take the one-day test over two days. The board has also offered her to take the test in a separate room so she could pump right there.
Interesting how a medical school, where I assume they teach people how to become doctors, who in turn promote breastfeeding and the benefits of it to both mom and baby are quite negative about a mom pumping milk for her baby. Should she have to wait until she is done nursing her child to take the test thereby putting her career on hold?
Do you think the judge is right in this case?
breastfeeding, Sophie Currier, infants, parenting, moms, working mothers, pumping breast milk, mother’s rights
September 21st, 2007 at 11:52 am
Yes, I think it’s fair. If she already getting her test broken up across two days I think they’ve been more than fair. Nine hours straight without pumping or feeding can be painful but it’s not impossible to bear for one time.
September 22nd, 2007 at 10:53 am
That was absolutely wrong of the judge, and the student should appeal and/or make whatever stink she can if possible. In order to maintain breastmilk supply, you need to pump often and on time. Pumping every four hours is average and going without pumping is really painful. In addition, it can lead (first hand experience talking here) to breast infection and clogging, and I kid you not, you don’t want that. That judge should be sued. What kind of regressive situation is this! Regressive and backward! The worse part is that it is a bad precedent for other mothers whol might need to pump. About 30-35minute is all it takes to pump, and that is not too much to ask for the well-being of mother and baby.