Middle/High School Teachers Come In...

Re: Middle/High School Teachers Come In...

• mommatotwo2 member

  April 2014

  That's a tough situation. I would not count on being able to pump during class. It will take closer to 30 minutes from start to finish with pumping. 3 times a day is good in a 8 hour day. Many moms arrive early at work to pump before the day begins, then on lunch or prep and again at the end of the day before you go home. Another option or addittion is to feed LO one one side while pumping the other because milk production tends to be highest then.

  

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• blackberryJam member

  April 2014

  I teach elementary school. I pump in the morning before leaving and then have to go a 4 hour stretch until my lunch break to pump. Then I pump again during my conference time 3 hours later. I'm getting enough for the next day's bottles so it can work to only pump at your scheduled breaks, it's just not ideal!

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• tahloulah10 member

  April 2014

  I teach elementary, but thought I could share my situation. I pump 3 times and I'm away from DD for about 8 hours. I pump before students arrive, during my planning time or lunch, and then again in the afternoon.
  
  2 days a week I have a colleague cover my class for 15 minutes. I emailed my principal first to let her know I would need time a few days per week outside of the classroom, and she told me to send out an email to the staff to ask for volunteers. I offered that I would take an extra recess duty in return. Those pumping sessions are quick! I try to give my students something independent to do (usually writing) while the volunteer teacher is there. It has been working out well. I think it does impact their instruction a bit since I am out of the room, but I need to do this for my daughter - she is most important and I have a legal right to pump milk for her at work.
  
  Maybe a colleague of yours has 15-20 minutes to spare at a time you need to pump? If you could even get that 2-3 days out of the week it would help keep your supply up.

  
  

           
  

          
  

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• bluebird0521 member

  April 2014

  Right now I am at an elementary school and it wouldn't be too difficult to pump. We have assistants who are with us all day, so it wouldn't be a big deal to step out. However, I was wanting to transition to middle/high school this year, but I think it would be very difficult. I may just stay where I am because it is closer to home, and administration would be completely supportive of me pumping at work and just having my assistant cover the class. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

          
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• laurafish member

  April 2014

  I teach 7th grade and had to manage this as well. I was afraid my administration would be unhelpful but I was pleasantly surprised by their helpfulness. I have had two routines this school year. I went back to work in November. My schedule then was:
  6:30 nurse LO
  9:45-pump during planning
  1:00 pump 15 min while another teacher watches class (did it as quick as I could so went 10 min sometimes
  3:30 pump after school
  
  After a few months it became hard to keep this up because my relief teacher (a rotation of people) might not show up and then I would be unable to pump. I'm not good at confrontation so I figured out a new plan where I didn't need someone to watch my class.
  
  So now this is my schedule:
  6:30 nurse LO
  9:45 pump during planning
  11:20 pump during lunch
  3:30 pump after school
  
  I have been doing this new schedule for the past two and a half months and I have still been able to keep up. I don't pump extra but I've been able to make what LO needs. So I don't have 2-3 hours between every pump but it still works.
  
  Try not to stress too much and be flexible to see what works for you. And if it's not working, don't be afraid to change. I know relying on others is hard but it could work out awesomely for you. Good luck.

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• bluebird0521 member

  April 2014

  Thank you for sharing your schedule, it is really helpful seeing that I can pump at different intervals and still have the ability to produce what baby needs. My biggest concern is my supply dropping because of going 2 hours and then sometimes 3 or 4 throughout the day. Its nice to see that you are able to have those differences and still be successful at breast feeding.

  
  

  
  

  
  

          
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• beesquar3d member

  April 2014

  I teach high school. I nurse LO before 6 am. I pump 3x while at work: before school, during lunch, and after school. I've talked to other teachers and they said that they used to pump once or twice and leave right after school got out to nurse their LO. Good luck.

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