ES teachers: pumping?

[janetplanet20]

I'm leaving my current job as a teacher coach and returning to the classroom next week and I'm wondering how elementary school teachers have handled pumping. Right now my schedule allows me to pump anytime I want, but once I'm back in the classroom I will only have a 20 minute recess (have to walk the kids to and from the classroom) and 30 minute lunch (again, have to walk the kids to and from).
Do I just need to accept that we're going to need to start supplementing with formula or can I make this work? My first baby was formula fed, so I'm not opposed to it, but bf is going so well this time, I'd like to be able to continue.

[janetplanet20]

Jan 26, 2016 13:47:31 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

Do you get a third break for special (PE, art, music, library, etc.)?

I don't think so. They have a second recess in the afternoon, but it's only 10 minutes.

[balletofangels]

In my classroom, lights off, window on door covered with a DO NOT ENTER sign. Wasn't ideal, but it worked. I made it to a year pumping at work, mostly out of stubbornness lol

[janetplanet20]

Jan 26, 2016 13:48:31 GMT -5 balletofangels said:

In my classroom, lights off, window on door covered with a DO NOT ENTER sign. Wasn't ideal, but it worked. I made it to a year pumping at work, mostly out of stubbornness lol

Was it difficult missing "social time" bc you were pumping? My other concern is coming in mid-year and then spending all break time in my room pumping, so I won't get a chance to know the other teachers.

[balletofangels]

Jan 26, 2016 13:50:55 GMT -5 janetplanet20 said:

Jan 26, 2016 13:48:31 GMT -5 balletofangels said:

In my classroom, lights off, window on door covered with a DO NOT ENTER sign. Wasn't ideal, but it worked. I made it to a year pumping at work, mostly out of stubbornness lol

Was it difficult missing "social time" bc you were pumping? My other concern is coming in mid-year and then spending all break time in my room pumping, so I won't get a chance to know the other teachers.

Well I'd been here quite awhile already, but it was kind of nice to have "me time" and not be part of the teacher room whining and complaining. I got a hands free bra so I could eat lunch, check email, plan, etc. I was teaching Kindergarten at the time.

[mekia]

I've pretty much spent the last two years being alone in my classroom because of pumping.

I think you should ask the principal or other teachers who are working with you if you can work out something. Like having them take over the walks for you.

[janetplanet20]

Jan 26, 2016 14:14:11 GMT -5 mekia said:

I've pretty much spent the last two years being alone in my classroom because of pumping.

I think you should ask the principal or other teachers who are working with you if you can work out something. Like having them take over the walks for you.

Good idea! The principal is a friend of mine and knows I'm BFing, so she'll hopefully be open to this.

I'm really excited about this job though! I'm going to be teaching 2nd grade and I'm changing districts so I'll be so much closer to home now (changing from a 35 mile commute to 5 miles).

[hopecounts]

Definitely ask.
My mom (ES counselor) would walk classes to and from for teachers were pumping and needed the extra time.
It's worth asking about it as other teachers on your team or staff may be able and willing to help out.
If not you are no worse off.

[janetplanet20]

Jan 26, 2016 14:57:14 GMT -5 @trapeze said:

I'm not s teacher but can empathize with the limitations you have. If I were you, I'd pump while driving. Morning and afternoon. Is it possible? I know a bunch of women who use Freemies.

I don't know what freemies are, but I could pump and drive. I am planning to eventually bike to work since it's only a few miles, but I could hold off until next school year. I'll probably pump after school gets out too, as I'm able.

[wildfloweragain]

I pumped after the 5am feeding (I always had trouble getting enough milk)
Then nursed again around 7 before going into work.

Pumped around 10:30 (took 15-20 min.)

Pumped on lunch around 12-1 (3 different years, different schedules, 3 kids)

Went right home to nurse or pumped again by 4:00 if I had to stay.

My best situation was in my classroom, so I could use my computer and still do work. Other situations I had were administrator's office and nurse's office.

Ha, yes, your social life will suffer.


It was such a pain and difficult to schedule meetings during my planning periods, I stopped pumping and supplemented with formula during the school day at around 9 months with each, still nursed at night and on weekends. Strangely I still could nurse without supplementing during those times even though I have not ever been someone to make much extra.

[joenali]

No planning time? Yikes! I agree with the poster that said ask someone to take the kids for you. You are going to need adequate time to get in your pumping.

[Doggy Mommy]

You don't have specials?? I've never heard of an elementary school without specials and plan time. I would talk to your principal and teammates and see what ideas they have since they know more about the schedule and the school. Maybe there's an aide who can walk the kids to recess or something so you can have enough time.

[spk926]

I teach first and my schedule is like this:

7:45-8:30 before school prep/meetings
Kids in classroom
11:40-12:10 lunch
Kids in classroom
2-2:55 prep
Kids in classroom
3:20 school ends
3:40 I leave and go straight to daycare and then 15 minutes home.

So knowing that, here's what I did. There wasn't much time between lunch and prep so I didn't see the need to pump again on my prep. I woke up extra early so I could pump before showering, getting ready or DD waking up. That was my largest pump of the day. Then I pumped on my lunch break. As the kids were getting ready for recess I would close my curtains, get out my pump, and get the bottles and stuff all set up (behind my desk) so that when I came back from dropping them off at recess all I had to do was put on my hands-free pump bra and start pumping. I was able to get 2 bottles worth during that time. Then I nursed right when getting home at 4:15.

So I only pumped 2x a day and only once at work and it was fine. I will say I had a decent supply and was able to get a full 4 bottles a day that way and sometimes a 5th.

[joenali]

Jan 26, 2016 21:53:59 GMT -5 spk926 said:

I teach first and my schedule is like this:

7:45-8:30 before school prep/meetings
Kids in classroom
11:40-12:10 lunch
Kids in classroom
2-2:55 prep
Kids in classroom
3:20 school ends
3:40 I leave and go straight to daycare and then 15 minutes home.

So knowing that, here's what I did. There wasn't much time between lunch and prep so I didn't see the need to pump again on my prep. I woke up extra early so I could pump before showering, getting ready or DD waking up. That was my largest pump of the day. Then I pumped on my lunch break. As the kids were getting ready for recess I would close my curtains, get out my pump, and get the bottles and stuff all set up (behind my desk) so that when I came back from dropping them off at recess all I had to do was put on my hands-free pump bra and start pumping. I was able to get 2 bottles worth during that time. Then I nursed right when getting home at 4:15.

So I only pumped 2x a day and only once at work and it was fine. I will say I had a decent supply and was able to get a full 4 bottles a day that way and sometimes a 5th.

Jealous of your 55 minute prep!

[spk926]

Jan 26, 2016 21:58:52 GMT -5 joenali said:

Jan 26, 2016 21:53:59 GMT -5 spk926 said:

I teach first and my schedule is like this:

7:45-8:30 before school prep/meetings
Kids in classroom
11:40-12:10 lunch
Kids in classroom
2-2:55 prep
Kids in classroom
3:20 school ends
3:40 I leave and go straight to daycare and then 15 minutes home.

So knowing that, here's what I did. There wasn't much time between lunch and prep so I didn't see the need to pump again on my prep. I woke up extra early so I could pump before showering, getting ready or DD waking up. That was my largest pump of the day. Then I pumped on my lunch break. As the kids were getting ready for recess I would close my curtains, get out my pump, and get the bottles and stuff all set up (behind my desk) so that when I came back from dropping them off at recess all I had to do was put on my hands-free pump bra and start pumping. I was able to get 2 bottles worth during that time. Then I nursed right when getting home at 4:15.

So I only pumped 2x a day and only once at work and it was fine. I will say I had a decent supply and was able to get a full 4 bottles a day that way and sometimes a 5th.

Jealous of your 55 minute prep!

Yeah we are really lucky! It kind of stinks for the specialists because they only get 5 minutes between grade levels (all 4th grade prep is 9-9:55, all 3rd is 10-10:55, and so on). They get 11:55-1 for lunch and part of their prep, plus all those 5 minutes between grades count though.