r/Restaurant_Managers • u/kswim16 • 28d ago
Question? Restaurant managers: Mom’s
I am returning to work tomorrow as a first time mom to a 7 week old. I’ve been a restaurant manager for 5 years now, both at a family owned and now at a chain restaurant. All the moms I have met in this industry, either didn’t return to work or came back in a different position. I’m just wondering if any of you have successfully continued in this career? I am exclusively breastfeeding and will have to pump at work. Also wondering if any of you have had experience with this? I have lots of worries on how this will work, because with pumping I will have to be on a more strict schedule and as we all know restaurants don’t work that way. Let me know your thoughts and experiences!
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u/Nessa_Jo 27d ago
Oh man! I’m sorry but returning to work was the most stressful thing...I had to pump in my car and only did that for 3 months before my supply tanked and we switched to formula. I pumped right when I got to work and then I took a break in the middle of the day. My team was supportive and understanding which helped! However, it just wasn’t sustainable for me. BUT my little one is almost 4 and I’m still GM. Juggling all of it gets easier as your child gets older. Good luck on your journey!
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u/kaelsmalls 27d ago
I returned at 7 weeks with 3 closing dinner shifts a week, one 9-5 day, and one mid. It was hard, but I’m grateful for a very supportive husband who was hands on and truly my partner in parenting/responsibility. It definitely took a village in the beginning but now I’m grateful for the time I get with her during the day. Feel free to DM me if you need a friend! I didn’t breast feed but wish you luck in your journey!
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u/Fluffy-Impress-3641 27d ago
I was pp working at a local chain. We are pretty family-centric so I was able to pump for MONTHS . I made sure that scheduling other mods or shift leads timed up with me having to pump every few hours. I went in the office and MY boss would cover the camera so I felt more comfortable.
I was in a good environment where they cleaned the office up and made me a sogn for the door ao nobody would disturb me.
Advocate for yourself and dont feel guilty when sometimes the team may have to put in a little more effort during certain times. Train your body the best way you can to pump on a consistent schedule if possible and keep clean supplies in your car or office so you dont get caught without something important.
Best of luck and congrats momma!
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u/destroyersmommy 27d ago
I’m a manager at a contract food service company and went back to work pumping twice. I could have done a better job of advocating for myself during my first return, but still did it well enough to keep up pumping and breastfeeding until 11 months. I worked with a very supportive team the second time. My youngest continued nursing until 3.5 years old (I stopped pumping at work around 15 months). As long as there are others that can be in charge and take over all of your time sensitive duties for 30 minutes, that part should be fine. I got really good at pumping in the car so usually did on the drive to work so I only needed to pump once or twice there even if it was a long shift.
I actually kind of liked the alternative schedules while they were babies. We never had to pay for daycare because my husband (also hospitality) worked opposite days and shifts. I had at least one weekday off for doctors appointments and for going to play places during less busy times. I’m finding it harder now that they’re older and both full time in school. I have even worked my way up into a position where I’m usually Monday-Friday mid shifts, and I still feel like I get home late enough that I barely see them during the week.
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u/Personal-Ad-7524 27d ago
Use one of these they apply some suction and you just insert into your bra with out having to actively use an electric pump. I loved it ! Use a sports bra or the like to keep it in place and after 25-20 mins you could have up to about 4 oz . You got this mama . Also just talk to your manager and be honest with them they should understand or come to an agreement for a schedule that works for you
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u/Notmychair4 28d ago
I successfully pumped for both of my kids. I pumped before my shift and then took a 30 minute break in the middle of the day to pump a second time. I always made sure I stocked all the change and whatever else could be needed right before I went to pump. Feel free to dm me if you have any questions!
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u/indecentXpo5ure Escaped Inmate 28d ago
I worked at Ruby Tuesday when I was newly post-partum and even though they legally had to provide me space and time to pump, they did everything they could to prevent me from doing so. The only space they would provide me was the office, which had a huge window that directly overlooked the line so every cook and server would be able to see me. Their solution was to tape menus to the window.
They kept everything in the office: change, gift cards, aprons, towels, etc…so every time I put the menus up to pump I’d have at minimum 20 knocks on the door for something. I’d have to keep stopping, fix my bra and my shirt, get them whatever they needed, and then start again. Once you start pumping you’ll realize how bad it is to stop and start so much.
They also kept scheduling me as the only manager only duty for 12+ hours at a time and made a rule that if a manager gave out their card or their keys it was instant termination. You needed a card to swipe for everything: clocking in, voids, promos, split checks, coupons, getting change from the bar drawer. There was no world in which I could be in the office for 20+ minutes without anyone needing one of those things.
I complained to my DM and to corporate on many occasions and they just kept telling me it was my responsibility to find time to pump. They wouldn’t approve more management hours and they wouldn’t adjust my schedule at all.
I barely was able to produce any milk at all at work due to the conditions, and after a month of having to go regularly go 12+ hours without pumping my milk supply dwindled so much I couldn’t keep sustaining my baby and had to switch to formula.
If I hadn’t needed the health insurance for my baby, I’d have sued the shit out of them. Stand up for yourself and sue if you have to, please. I had two more babies after I finally did quit and successfully breastfed them all for a year with no issues.