Teachers - discussing pumping times with principal. Help!

rtv3 · August 2014

I'm pretty sure there's already a thread on this but my frazzled brain can't find it.

So back in the spring my principal shared the proposed schedule and I was going to get a 30-45 min special every day starting at 11. I was counting on pumping then plus 15 min at 2nd recess. I spoke to her about not having any recess duties that recess so I could pump and how I'd use my prep time for the other pumping session. She agreed.

Now, I just got the updated schedule and I have no specials Mon, Wed, Thurs. instead I have an hour straight on Tuesdays and an hour straight plus another half hour later on Fridays.

Both of our recesses are 15 min (10-10:15 and 2:00-2:15) with a 30 min lunch (11:50-12:10) and all teachers are scheduled for 2-4 recesses a week.

What do I do!?! This is making me so anxious. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow but I don't even know what to suggest...

Help! (Sorry for the novel).

allyandmike24 · August 2014

Eesh @rtv3 that's tough. I'd ask to stick to the agreed upon schedule and if it's not possible, she needs to propose an alternative that better meets your needs. I know it's especially hard with less than full staffing. Hopefully you're able to come to a solution that works for you both.

I'm sure you know, but here is a brief run down of the laws governing pumping: https://alphamom.com/your-life/postpartum/workplace-breast-milk-pumping-laws/

My school is exempt, but I'm hoping that I can figure out a schedule that works with my co-teacher taking over when I'm out of the classroom. It's causing me quite a bit of anxiety thinking about how it all will work.

speechie517 · August 2014

Well, she HAS to work with you...so you have that on your side. Can you offer to do an AM or PM duty instead of recess? or pump when you get there and have a specials teacher/ counselor etc. in your room during arrival and dismissal so you can pump at those times? Can she switch any of your specials to make it more convenient?

smushi · August 2014

I'm back to 'work' at the school during inservices, and I'm pumping at 10am and 1pm (feeding at 6am). I think pumping at 10 and 1:30 or 2 would be fine. It takes me about 10-15 minutes with my Medela electric pump (plus a little set up and clear away time). Just make sure your principal understands it as maternity time (Mommy Pumping: Important Do Not Disturb!). Mine has been very cool about me leaving training and coming back late due to pumping (and even offered his office). Just remember, find a calm spot you can relax in. Get a mini fridge there and just be chill about the whole thing.

nicole mackenzie · August 2014

Check your state law to see if you have additional protection.

There's a poster in my break room that states I have three years I'm allowed to pump!

I have to clock out. I nurse first thing, then pump on arrival. I work at a vet hospital so I try to space things to be helpful. Ill pump early if it means I'm available to work when I'm needed.

Look at your schedule and come up with your own plan to pump every 2-4 hours that makes you available as much as possible when really needed and takes advantage of down times for pumping.

If you come with a plan that would be good for both parties they should go with it. ( I'd hope )

If they still aren't accomedating then bring up the law

rtv3 · August 2014

Thank you so much for your super speedy responses ladies!

Specials are pretty much impossible to change because she has to work the schedule for all the elementary (K-6 share Music, Art, P.E., and Library teachers).

It's a private Christian school so I'm not sure how closely they have to stick to those rules, but she (principal) is usually very supportive of all of her teachers so hopefully it won't be an issue.

I'm really hoping that she just forgot and will work with me once I bring it up. I'm thinking asking to be exempted from recess duty will be the easiest solution. That way I'll hopefully have two 15 min and one 30 min pumping sessions.

So 6:45 - nurse
10:00 - pump 10 min (5 min for set-up/put away)
11:50 - pump 20 min (10 min grabbing out lunch and set-up/take down)
2:00 - pump 10 min (5 min for set-up/put away)
4:30 - nurse/pump depending on when DD last ate.

I have my own classroom and I'll get a mini-fridge for it and hopefully everything will work out.

I just hate last-minute changes! So stressfull!

Dixon813 · August 2014

Ugh! I would be stressed, too!!

Good that you have a proposal to offer when you go to talk to your principal tomorrow. Keep us updated on how the conversation goes!

smushi · August 2014

I've found I get more with just two pumping sessions (3 solid hours in between), and just telling my principal (this is when I'm going) lets them know there is no alternative. They can work around it (and you can find alternatives for classroom time/leading). Give yourself a decent amount of time so you're not rushed, or else you won't have a productive session. Can you do a trial run of pumping sessions this week at all? Where/when you'll pump? That way your body gets the message and you can get used to and feel comfortable with the surroundings and everything? I think pumping is not so fun, I feel like a cow lol but it helped me to practice this week during inservice.

rtv3 · August 2014

Good luck with your first real day back @jenniferb123006‌!
DD eats every 2ish hrs still and usually takes 4oz. So I'm counting on needing about 16 oz a day. I have no clue how I'm going to pump that much

Thankfully I have a freezer stash so hopefully that'll help me stretch out BFing as long as possible!

speechie517 · August 2014

@rtv That is about how much B has been eating at daycare. Seesh, it's a lot.

My principals are very flexible too and as an SLP I have more flexibility in scheduling. One principal is a new mom too, so she understands my situation.

So far, my daily schedule has been:

6:35-7:00 nurse

9:00- 9:20 pump

12:00-12:20 pump

2:40-3:00 pump

5:00 nurse

7:00 nurse

9:30 nurse

It is going to have to change since I'm covering a school 2x a week that has different hours. Hope your principal is understanding tomorrow

chichi589 · August 2014

I'm not a teacher but I work a similar shift. I've been back to work since the end of May so were on a schedule now. This is my day..
5:30 am: nurse one side pump the other
7:00 am: nurse before I leave for work
10:00 am: pump for 15 mins I get 5oz
3:00pm: pump for 15 mins I get 5 oz
4:30 nurse when I get home and off and on all night. I was pumping at 12:30 too but I realize I wasn't pumping very much more with the extra session and he's been taking 3 bottles a day while I'm at work. Make sure your eating enough because if your bottles are all water baby will need more bottles as they digest faster. It's scary but you'll find a routine soon

smushi · August 2014

If it helps, my LO eats around 16oz during his daycare day too. I get a solid 10oz from my two school day pumping sessions, but I also pump once around 3-4am if he wakes up then (he eats from one side while I pump the other) to get the other 5 ounces, then I do another quick pump while I feed him before he goes to daycare (that one yields 2-3 oz). Hopefully on the weekends I can continue a 5 ounce early morning pump each day, and then split that into 2.5 oz bags to freeze and send along with his fresh bottles as a just in case during the week.

Want a personalized experience?

Teachers - discussing pumping times with principal. Help!

Re: Teachers - discussing pumping times with principal. Help!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards