Breastfeeding teachers

I want to breastfeed and hope that my body will let me, but i was wondering how diffiicult it is to breastfeed when ur a teacher...how often do we really need to pump while at work? i know i'll have 1 to 2 breaks each day...1 lunch and 2nd a resource, though we don't have resources everyday in my district in fl. will this be feasible?

thanks

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

I'm a teacher who plans on breastfeeding, so I can't say how it'll work exactly just yet....but I'm going to give it a shot. I know there are a few women in my school who did breastfeed upon returning to work. And, I believe, according to some law, your school (or any job) must provide you with a place to breastfeed besides a bathroom, as that usually isn't all that comfortable.
I think you generally need to breastfeed every 2-3 hours, so I'm guessing pumping would follow along the same schedule.

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

See my post at the bottom of the page about a website I was referred to about working and breastfeeding.

It talks about how to schedule pumping sessions as well as building up your supply in preparation of going back to work.

I'll be going to work in a school when she is about 10 weeks old and plan to pump at work. Thankfully, it seems that of ALL the work settings to be in, the school setting is most open to and orepared to work with nursing mothers.


Link to post:link

Message edited 5/27/2007 12:04:59 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

pumping at school is what I am most worried about. I have no clue what my schedule will be next year - if my prep & lunch end up back-to-back, I don't know how it is going to work! I am praying for a free period in the morning and afternoon.

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

I have a week under my belt as a breasfeeding mom/teacher. I initially was going to wean DD, but decided that I wanted to try this, and it's only for five weeks.

I have my own classroom, so that helped, and I pump at lunch. It is nerve-wracking because so many people have keys to my room. But the layout of the room helps- there are closets next to the doors so I open the closet doors and then no one can see in, and if someone should unlock the door it gives me time to cover up. I was going to put a sign on the door but one of the teachers I work with is nuts and very spiteful and if she saw a "do not disturb" sign she'd come in.

I have an electric pump, but I decided to buy a hand pump, so that I don't have to lug it in every day. Also, I have only 45 minutes, but in that time I have to take my kids down to lunch, wash my hands, get my lunch, etc. The hand pump is small and does a good job.

My pumping schedule is: 4:30 am, 11:15, then around 4 when I get home. Then I nurse whenever she wants from there.

Hope this helps!

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

the girl i work with pumped in a room attached to our office during one of her preps everyday - I plan on doing the same thing

Re: Breastfeeding teachers

thank you ladies. i was worried by the original breastfeeding/work link so I wanted to get a true schedule. It seemed like on that link I would have to pump at least 3 times during the working day and I'm not sure if that is possible. I guess I'll have to wait and see how my schedule is. I am moving to a new school w/ a new principal so I'm sure it will be interesting.

I like the idea of the hand pump, but not sure if it would be too slow. We get only 1/2 hour off for lunch, including bringing kids to and from - so really it's like 15 mins.

FL su cks in that regard...well, and the pay as well..