Real moms sound off.

A woman in Santa Clara, CA wrote in to "Dear Abby" about having to pump in public. The new mom works at a corporation that does not provide a "mother's room" and subsequently has taken to pumping her breast milk in the public restroom. She feels uncomfortable about "the weird noise" and isn't sure how to respond to women when they come in.

Well, we asked our momlogic community members to weigh in and share their thoughts:

Do you think pumping in public is okay? Should companies be required to have mother's rooms? Where do you pump?

Sara said: Companies should not be required to have mother's rooms -- but should allow breastfeeding mothers to have access to another non-bathroom room. I have an office now, but when I was pumping for Woodstock, I had to use the bathroom or my car. I chose my car, parked in the corner of the lot, as I felt it was more sanitary. It was discreet -- no one passing by could tell what I was doing.

JackieMac said: A bathroom is not public to me. If she is in a stall and doing her thing, she should feel proud that she's doing what she has to. Anyone who has a problem with that... well, can suck it. Pun intended. ;)

Essence said: Where I work, they do have a room for the public and myself to pump ... A public restroom is fine -- just cover yourself. All jobs should provide that. If not, go on to the restroom stall!

Andrea said: I pumped at my job when i was breastfeeding. Luckily I had my own office. It was my first day of work (my baby was 3 months old and at home with my husband) I closed my office door and started pumping and my new boss walked in!! I almost had to throw myself up against the door. He came in because he heard the breast pump motor and wanted to know what it is. I was so embarrassed. I stopped breastfeeding that day.

Melissa said: Really the bathroom is an unsanitary place to have to pump in the first place. I've had to do it but looking back I could have asked if there was a room that I was allowed to use. People are generally just curious. They may think it's strange at first, but everyone just gets used to it after a while. Fantastic for pumping regardless! It was really hard to keep going once I went back to work.

Malia said: I pumped at work for all three of my kids. In both cases, I spoke to my bosses and explained the situation (one a high-tech start up & one a law firm). There wasn't a designated place for this, so they made one and were very accomodating. In the start-up, "the place" was the decked out bathroom my bosses (the CEO/President) shared. Sure, it was a little strange having these discussions with male bosses ... but hey, it's life! Sorry the situation didn't go so well for the Santa Clara mom.

What do YOU think?