NBC’s Hallie Jackson Breast-Pumps In Car While Covering Trump's COVID-19 Story

On the way back from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday, during reporting the story on President Donald Trump's hospitalisation due to COVID-19, NBC's correspondent Hallie Jackson was seen proudly breast pumping. NBC Chief White House correspondent and MSNBC anchor, Jackson welcomed her first child in March. On Sunday, she took to her Instagram account to post a powerful photo of her pumping milk for her daughter Monroe.

"This happened on the way back from Walter Reed Sunday, during the president's hospitalization, in a van carrying the small group of reporters who travel with the president. It was my turn that day. I hadn’t pumped since 7 that morning, and by the time we set up the live shot at the hospital, held a news conference with the president's doctors, and then - the dagger - hit traffic on the Beltway, it was 12:30 and now or never," she wrote while riding in a van with other reporters.

Here's her latest post:

View this post on Instagram

me, my Spectra, and the White House press corps...  This happened on the way back from Walter Reed Sunday, during the president's hospitalization, in a van carrying the small group of reporters who travel with the president. It was my turn that day. I hadn’t pumped since 7 that morning, and by the time we set up the live shot at the hospital, held a news conference with the president's doctors, and then - the dagger - hit traffic on the Beltway, it was 12:30 and now or never. So after I fired off a pool note letting everyone know we were headed back to the White House, I pulled out my trusty pumping bag. @jacquelynmartin asked to take a photo. (She thought @frankthorpv would appreciate it.)  It's just a picture, but to me it's a snapshot in time: on day 3 of nonstop coverage, on about 6 hours of sleep total, during one of the most intense weeks in my professional life. Not a day went by this week where I didn't miss at least one pumping session. All the things you're supposed to do to keep up your milk supply went out the window: regular removal, hydration, plenty of rest (lololololol)  But you know what? It's okay. Yep, I sure did struggle with guilt and anxiety about the absolute avalanche at work consuming my life. But a little self-compassion goes a long way: I'm doing my best. Most moms are. And it's going to be okay.  I've been lucky to be able to lean on a lot of people this week for help, like the women journalists in the press corps who have been through the new-mom crush-of-news wringer before. And I'm lucky to have Frank, who ended the week as exhausted as me. Home full-time with Ro right now, he cooked breakfast in the morning, did tummy time in the afternoon, and baked cookies for dinner after I finally collapsed through the door at night. He picked up my slack, and my mess. And he cheered me on every minute of our round-the-clock coverage. Superman. Anyway. That's the story behind the photo. After a break today, and @meetthepress tomorrow, we're down to the 3-week sprint to Election Day. It may've been #mamasfirstpoolpump - but I doubt it'll be the last. 📸: @jacquelynmartin 🙏

A post shared by Hallie Jackson (@hallie_gram) on Oct 10, 2020 at 7:45am PDT

Jackson, 36, is tasked with covering the Trump campaign and now the White House. Her latest photo also became an inspiration for nursing mothers. "It's just a picture, but to me it's a snapshot in time: on day 3 of nonstop coverage, on about 6 hours of sleep total, during one of the most intense weeks in my professional life," Jackson continued. "Not a day went by this week where I didn't miss at least one pumping session. All the things you're supposed to do to keep up your milk supply went out the window: regular removal, hydration, plenty of rest (lololololol) But you know what? It's okay," she added.

Eradicating the stigma around breast pumping in public, she went on to explain that she "sure did struggle with guilt and anxiety about the absolute avalanche at work consuming my life. But a little self-compassion goes a long way: I'm doing my best. Most moms are. And it's going to be okay. I've been lucky to be able to lean on a lot of people this week for help, like the women journalists in the press corps who have been through the new-mom crush-of-news wringer before."

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this week’s #SundayTODAY mug shot, feat. a small baby and a massive cup. Thanks to @williegeist for the from-vaca shoutout, and to the @todayshow team for making the maternity leave re-entry a pleasure! 😎☀️📺

A post shared by Hallie Jackson (@hallie_gram) on Aug 16, 2020 at 6:21am PDT

New moms around the world are cheering for Jackson and her partner and Monroe's father, Frank Thorp, who is a producer at NBC News. "I'm lucky to have Frank, who ended the week as exhausted as me. Home full-time with Ro right now, he cooked breakfast in the morning, did tummy time in the afternoon, and baked cookies for dinner after I finally collapsed through the door at night. He picked up my slack, and my mess. And he cheered me on every minute of our round-the-clock coverage. Superman."

Jackson returned from maternity leave in August and brought her little baby on set with her.

Feature Image Credit: Hallie Jackson/Instagram

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