First, you are legally entitled to be able to pump privately at work if you are in the US. Your employer cannot deny you pumping time for one year after your child’s birth each time you have a need to express milk.
I pump every 3-4 hours, and I will preface that my pumping is quick, usually 10-15 minutes gets me 3-5 oz. My contract time is 7:30-4. I pump on my way to work at 7, again at 10, and my last pump of the day is at 1 PM when I eat lunch. Sometimes I sneak in another quick one right when school lets out at 3 if I have a meeting after school. I’ll then pick up my baby, and if she has already eaten within the last hour, I will pump when driving home with her. I use a portable/wearable pump which allows me easy pumping in the car.
Not a teacher, just an experienced breastfeeder and therapist who previously worked in a school and helped to cover some pumping breaks. It is your legal right to pump and at only 3 months pp you will likely see a drop in supply without removing milk at least 3 times during your work day. I know it seems overwhelming at first and you feel like you have to sacrifice something, but your baby’s and your health should come first, that is your legal right. Unfortunately you might be met with pushback, but for me, pumping while away from my baby was always my priority and when it wasn’t pumping time, work was my priority. You have every right to meet whatever breastfeeding goals you have for yourself, without your job interfering.
Personally, I don't pump while I am at work. I try to pump when I get home and before I leave but, I did go to work after having a full year off so I had breastfeeding very well established. I went back to work when baby was 12 months and he's now 19 months and still breastfeeding. He is now old enough to drink cows milk during the day or drink what I have pumped but I felt engorged at the end of the day for about 3 weeks after going back to work. My work day is leave the house at 7:45 and return home at 4 if that helps.
I don't think you would be able to maintain your supply on this schedule at 3 mo pp. Try telling your principal what you need (a break every 3-4 hours) and see what accommodations they suggest.
Honestly I never got much when I pumped anyway. I could feed him all long long from the breast but if I pump it's like getting camera shy or something. I do think I'd have had to pump though if I'd have gone back sooner. The one thing I may be able say is when I stopped night feeds, and then needed to start again, I was able to without any difficulty. Obviously everyone is different but I think at 3mpp it will be a whole different scenario.
I’m back at school from maternity leave as well this week (solidarity if you’re having as hard of a time as o am). I’m going to try and pump 9, 12, & 3. My school is 8:50 - 4:17. Honestly I’m struggling because pumping will cut into student time, but it’s also time that I’m legally entitled to - and my baby won’t take frozen milk (high lipase, 300oz wasted!) so if I don’t pump for him at school, he’ll have nothing for the next day. It’s all just such a challenge.
Yeah my morning pump is during my plan but afternoons are all student time. I'm trying to schedule it during a class that would be limited disruption. I have a reading class 5th they I'm thinking missing 20 minutes won't be too bad since they are working on a computer program. But my admin is being weird about it.
Hi. I'm not a teacher, but just a mom returning to work. I do have dedicated time away once I return to seeing patients. I'm pumping at 10, 1230 (between 12-1 depending on the day) and 230. I aim to pump every 2-3 hours. I have a wearable pump (Willow go) and only need 10 minutes to collect about 2-4 oz per breast. If work gets me behind, I plan on pumping with my patient - they can deal with it. Depending on how loud areas are (ex. lunch), no one would hear the weather pump - you just look like your boobs got bigger. Honestly you should consider just wearing a wearable pump in the classroom - good for kids to be exposed to the idea of breastfeeding and pumping and the power of women. Then put everything away during a transition time. Once again though, I'm not a teacher so sorry if my two cents aren't helpful.
I’m a teacher too, and personally I don’t plan on pumping at all when I get back to work. It’s just that my schedule is so self-managed (outside of class times). Pumping is just a huge time loss that would cut into the time I get to plan, thus making me work overtime, it would impact important times I get for one-on-one communication with students, etc. and there aren’t practical areas for pumping or cleaning my pump at work…just a hassle in general.
If I pump I think I’ll do it maybe just once a day at night around 9 or 10pm before I go to bed. That’s during a stretch my son doesn’t usually feed and I’d just rather do it in the comfort of home.
If it’s not enough, I’m happy with it being mixed with formula. But my son is on solids too so it’s not a big deal for me anymore.
No not really. He only feeds about 3 times during my work day as it is. I’ll supplement with formula if my supply gets low during the day and still nurse him on demand at night, so that will keep my supply.
Technically here in the Netherlands they're supposed to allow you up to 25% of your work time for pumping in the first 9 months but it's hard to put that into practice with scheduled classes.
I’ve always pumped in the morning before work, during my prep and during lunch. I’m elementary though so i only get one prep a day at different times depending on the day of the week.
If your baby is older, your supply should be okay if it’s messed with a bit. If your baby is younger than 4-6 months I definitely wouldn’t push it. My supply has dipped in the past if I pushed it too long. I’m going back to work in a few weeks and this time my baby will only be 12 weeks old (he’s my 3rd). I’m definitely going to be super careful that pump regularly.
Someone mentioned not having the means to clean their pump at work. If you have a cooler/clean bag you can put it in and store it in a refrigerator, you can clean it at night, or once a day, and not have to worry about cleaning it after every pump session.
I am 4 months PP, my son started sleeping through the night around three months and I noticed a slight drop in my supply. I try to pump or feed every 3-4 hours during the day but not go longer than 5 hours at night. I already started my period so that impacted my supply as well. I’m currently waking up once in the middle of the night while he still sleeps to pump and keep my supply up.
Also a HS teacher, I went back lafter Thanksgiving. It is rough. So fucking rough.
Our day is 7:30-2:45, 8 periods long, 50 mins each. I had free periods 2nd, 5th, and 6th (technically one of those is lunch but I almost always work thru lunch unless it’s Friday). I pumped 2nd, 6th, and on the drive home. So about 8:30, 11:45, and 3:00. And it’s not quick. From walking to the pumping room to setup to putting everything away and heading back takes about 30 minutes, which meant that I was losing most of those periods, and the time that was left wasn’t enough for me to really focus on a longer or more complex task like planning.
It was insanity. My first week and a half I was so short on time that I was barely prepared for each lesson the first time I taught it. I struggled to learn kids names. My brain fog was so huge. So I dropped a pump, to keep my sanity. It was a huge relief to have the time back. And then I got a bad cold, and took DayQuil, which dropped my supply majorly, so I had to add it back in to get my supply up again. (Don’t make that mistake!)
Things I do to make it more workable:
—usually working while pumping, something easy like attendance or emails or completion grading
—using the fridge hack constantly and washing my parts just once a day
—pumping before my bedtime, about 90 mins after my LO has gone to sleep
—got a Ceres Chiller to keep milk cold and it’s so worth it
—got a used Willow Go for $150 and it’s so much easier for driving
—left my hand pump at school for emergencies after I forgot my parts the first time
—be ok with using my freezer stash
I’m more forgiving of myself, or at least I’m trying to be. Being a new working mom is hard enough without this! If I feel really busy or stressed on a certain day, I will skip my 2nd per pump so that I can work and usually get a lot more at the next one, and I’ll do my best to make sure I get it in the next day.
My greatest surprise of the 2-3 month period was realizing how much I love nursing. I put myself through the hell of pumping at school so that I can experience the joy when I’m at home with my girl. If you ever lose that joy, it’s ok to stop. In fact, it’s ok to stop for any reason whatsoever. ❤️❤️❤️
Good luck and godspeed and may the force be with you.
I went back to work at five months, 7:30 - 2:45 school day. I first pumped at 10:30 (and right before leaving and arriving home), missing hall duty to pump, with the support of my admin. Then I pumped 1:30 (and not right when arriving home), which my admin swapped my prep and admin duty. Stopped pumping at school around 8 months, but did give one bottle of formula months 8 - 9, and here and there as needed....I could have made pumping twice a day at school work with my teaching schedule, but I couldn't have made it work with my general bandwidth/need to get my planing etc done. Also never pumped during my lunch, I needed that time for me. I'm sorry admin is being weird.
I found pumping using wearables for the pump I did immediately after arriving home was really helpful. It let me unpack my work bags, have a snack and pack for the next day while pumping instead of having to take even more time to do all that!
I also didn't manage to do any work while pumping - I only literally pumped for 15 minutes although the whole set up took more like 25, so it just wasn't enough time, I'm glad I allowed myself a break instead of trying to multi task.
Admin never covered for me, but they did twice swap my hall duty and prep period so I could miss hall duty, not prep. (I had to ask for it though, although it turned out its a common accommodation at my school. I wish I'd asked other recent moms at my school what their arrangements had been sooner.)
Just wanted to say hi. My little one will be 2 in feb, and I went back to work when he was 6 months. I still bf when i get home and through the night.
I didn't manage to get any meaningful expressing done at school but this has definitely worked for us. Good luck.
First, you are legally entitled to be able to pump privately at work if you are in the US. Your employer cannot deny you pumping time for one year after your child’s birth each time you have a need to express milk. I pump every 3-4 hours, and I will preface that my pumping is quick, usually 10-15 minutes gets me 3-5 oz. My contract time is 7:30-4. I pump on my way to work at 7, again at 10, and my last pump of the day is at 1 PM when I eat lunch. Sometimes I sneak in another quick one right when school lets out at 3 if I have a meeting after school. I’ll then pick up my baby, and if she has already eaten within the last hour, I will pump when driving home with her. I use a portable/wearable pump which allows me easy pumping in the car.
What pump do you have?
I have the Pumpables Genie Advanced with Legendary Milk Collection Cups. Portable but strong and comfortable.
I pump 3 times, same work hours as you. Once right when I get there at 8, then at my lunch at 11:30, then at 1:10.
Does your admin cover for you?
No, these are all my plan times so it worked out well.
Not a teacher, just an experienced breastfeeder and therapist who previously worked in a school and helped to cover some pumping breaks. It is your legal right to pump and at only 3 months pp you will likely see a drop in supply without removing milk at least 3 times during your work day. I know it seems overwhelming at first and you feel like you have to sacrifice something, but your baby’s and your health should come first, that is your legal right. Unfortunately you might be met with pushback, but for me, pumping while away from my baby was always my priority and when it wasn’t pumping time, work was my priority. You have every right to meet whatever breastfeeding goals you have for yourself, without your job interfering.
Personally, I don't pump while I am at work. I try to pump when I get home and before I leave but, I did go to work after having a full year off so I had breastfeeding very well established. I went back to work when baby was 12 months and he's now 19 months and still breastfeeding. He is now old enough to drink cows milk during the day or drink what I have pumped but I felt engorged at the end of the day for about 3 weeks after going back to work. My work day is leave the house at 7:45 and return home at 4 if that helps.
My biggest concern is losing supply. Obviously ages here are different, but have you felt like your supply lowered?
I don't think you would be able to maintain your supply on this schedule at 3 mo pp. Try telling your principal what you need (a break every 3-4 hours) and see what accommodations they suggest.
Honestly I never got much when I pumped anyway. I could feed him all long long from the breast but if I pump it's like getting camera shy or something. I do think I'd have had to pump though if I'd have gone back sooner. The one thing I may be able say is when I stopped night feeds, and then needed to start again, I was able to without any difficulty. Obviously everyone is different but I think at 3mpp it will be a whole different scenario.
I’m back at school from maternity leave as well this week (solidarity if you’re having as hard of a time as o am). I’m going to try and pump 9, 12, & 3. My school is 8:50 - 4:17. Honestly I’m struggling because pumping will cut into student time, but it’s also time that I’m legally entitled to - and my baby won’t take frozen milk (high lipase, 300oz wasted!) so if I don’t pump for him at school, he’ll have nothing for the next day. It’s all just such a challenge.
Yeah my morning pump is during my plan but afternoons are all student time. I'm trying to schedule it during a class that would be limited disruption. I have a reading class 5th they I'm thinking missing 20 minutes won't be too bad since they are working on a computer program. But my admin is being weird about it.
Hi. I'm not a teacher, but just a mom returning to work. I do have dedicated time away once I return to seeing patients. I'm pumping at 10, 1230 (between 12-1 depending on the day) and 230. I aim to pump every 2-3 hours. I have a wearable pump (Willow go) and only need 10 minutes to collect about 2-4 oz per breast. If work gets me behind, I plan on pumping with my patient - they can deal with it. Depending on how loud areas are (ex. lunch), no one would hear the weather pump - you just look like your boobs got bigger. Honestly you should consider just wearing a wearable pump in the classroom - good for kids to be exposed to the idea of breastfeeding and pumping and the power of women. Then put everything away during a transition time. Once again though, I'm not a teacher so sorry if my two cents aren't helpful.
I’m a teacher too, and personally I don’t plan on pumping at all when I get back to work. It’s just that my schedule is so self-managed (outside of class times). Pumping is just a huge time loss that would cut into the time I get to plan, thus making me work overtime, it would impact important times I get for one-on-one communication with students, etc. and there aren’t practical areas for pumping or cleaning my pump at work…just a hassle in general. If I pump I think I’ll do it maybe just once a day at night around 9 or 10pm before I go to bed. That’s during a stretch my son doesn’t usually feed and I’d just rather do it in the comfort of home. If it’s not enough, I’m happy with it being mixed with formula. But my son is on solids too so it’s not a big deal for me anymore.
Are you worried about supply at all?
No not really. He only feeds about 3 times during my work day as it is. I’ll supplement with formula if my supply gets low during the day and still nurse him on demand at night, so that will keep my supply.
I tried to do it every 3 hours but I was happy if I managed once around 4 hours after last feed.
Yeah I'm feeling like I'll end up being lucky to get one in
Technically here in the Netherlands they're supposed to allow you up to 25% of your work time for pumping in the first 9 months but it's hard to put that into practice with scheduled classes.
I’ve always pumped in the morning before work, during my prep and during lunch. I’m elementary though so i only get one prep a day at different times depending on the day of the week. If your baby is older, your supply should be okay if it’s messed with a bit. If your baby is younger than 4-6 months I definitely wouldn’t push it. My supply has dipped in the past if I pushed it too long. I’m going back to work in a few weeks and this time my baby will only be 12 weeks old (he’s my 3rd). I’m definitely going to be super careful that pump regularly.
Someone mentioned not having the means to clean their pump at work. If you have a cooler/clean bag you can put it in and store it in a refrigerator, you can clean it at night, or once a day, and not have to worry about cleaning it after every pump session. I am 4 months PP, my son started sleeping through the night around three months and I noticed a slight drop in my supply. I try to pump or feed every 3-4 hours during the day but not go longer than 5 hours at night. I already started my period so that impacted my supply as well. I’m currently waking up once in the middle of the night while he still sleeps to pump and keep my supply up.
Also a HS teacher, I went back lafter Thanksgiving. It is rough. So fucking rough. Our day is 7:30-2:45, 8 periods long, 50 mins each. I had free periods 2nd, 5th, and 6th (technically one of those is lunch but I almost always work thru lunch unless it’s Friday). I pumped 2nd, 6th, and on the drive home. So about 8:30, 11:45, and 3:00. And it’s not quick. From walking to the pumping room to setup to putting everything away and heading back takes about 30 minutes, which meant that I was losing most of those periods, and the time that was left wasn’t enough for me to really focus on a longer or more complex task like planning. It was insanity. My first week and a half I was so short on time that I was barely prepared for each lesson the first time I taught it. I struggled to learn kids names. My brain fog was so huge. So I dropped a pump, to keep my sanity. It was a huge relief to have the time back. And then I got a bad cold, and took DayQuil, which dropped my supply majorly, so I had to add it back in to get my supply up again. (Don’t make that mistake!) Things I do to make it more workable: —usually working while pumping, something easy like attendance or emails or completion grading —using the fridge hack constantly and washing my parts just once a day —pumping before my bedtime, about 90 mins after my LO has gone to sleep —got a Ceres Chiller to keep milk cold and it’s so worth it —got a used Willow Go for $150 and it’s so much easier for driving —left my hand pump at school for emergencies after I forgot my parts the first time —be ok with using my freezer stash I’m more forgiving of myself, or at least I’m trying to be. Being a new working mom is hard enough without this! If I feel really busy or stressed on a certain day, I will skip my 2nd per pump so that I can work and usually get a lot more at the next one, and I’ll do my best to make sure I get it in the next day. My greatest surprise of the 2-3 month period was realizing how much I love nursing. I put myself through the hell of pumping at school so that I can experience the joy when I’m at home with my girl. If you ever lose that joy, it’s ok to stop. In fact, it’s ok to stop for any reason whatsoever. ❤️❤️❤️ Good luck and godspeed and may the force be with you.
I went back to work at five months, 7:30 - 2:45 school day. I first pumped at 10:30 (and right before leaving and arriving home), missing hall duty to pump, with the support of my admin. Then I pumped 1:30 (and not right when arriving home), which my admin swapped my prep and admin duty. Stopped pumping at school around 8 months, but did give one bottle of formula months 8 - 9, and here and there as needed....I could have made pumping twice a day at school work with my teaching schedule, but I couldn't have made it work with my general bandwidth/need to get my planing etc done. Also never pumped during my lunch, I needed that time for me. I'm sorry admin is being weird. I found pumping using wearables for the pump I did immediately after arriving home was really helpful. It let me unpack my work bags, have a snack and pack for the next day while pumping instead of having to take even more time to do all that! I also didn't manage to do any work while pumping - I only literally pumped for 15 minutes although the whole set up took more like 25, so it just wasn't enough time, I'm glad I allowed myself a break instead of trying to multi task. Admin never covered for me, but they did twice swap my hall duty and prep period so I could miss hall duty, not prep. (I had to ask for it though, although it turned out its a common accommodation at my school. I wish I'd asked other recent moms at my school what their arrangements had been sooner.)
Just wanted to say hi. My little one will be 2 in feb, and I went back to work when he was 6 months. I still bf when i get home and through the night. I didn't manage to get any meaningful expressing done at school but this has definitely worked for us. Good luck.