Teacher Pumping at work

[lelide]

I just had an extreamly uncomfortable conversation with my principal. This is his first year as a principal, and he's not too much older than I am. He's married, but no kids, so he was in unfamilar territory, I believe. My planning period is 4.5 hours into the school day, and H nurses/takes a bottle every three hours. After I mentioned that I was to be granted time as often as I needed by law, and shared Fact Sheet 73 with him, he said he would have to talk with the school board because he didn't see how he could make it work. He was very open to hearing me and nice about it (we were both a bit embarrassed, I think). I'm asking for two pump breaks, one earlier in the school day and one later. At my school, teachers have on 55 minute planning period.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Any teachers who have navigated this before?

[ambernicole531]

first off, he is new, not really familiar with this, which is why he is probably wanting to talk to the board, for suggestions!!!  second of all, He is a manager (in my mind, I know they do way more)  I was once told if you are going to aproach a manager with a problem you should also come with a suggestion for a solution. I am sure you know how it works! I know at the schools I have subbed at, I got a break at specials, possibly lunch/recesses depending on who had duty. If I were nursing I would simply ask to be relieved on one duty for the break. Then also on lunch if the timing was possible! Good Luck! and Congrats!

[SherriPie]

Here's a suggestion that I've found to get the most milk while only pumping once at work:

If you're not nursing in the middle of the night or pumping in the middle of the night, then get up in the morning and pump first thing.  You SHOULD get much more milk at this time than any other time.  Then before you leave, nurse the baby.  Don't worry, your boobs won't be out of milk because baby can get more out than a pump.  Plus, this will increase your morning supply and you'll be able to pump more.  What you get in the morning should be able to go with your one pump session from the day before (two bottles total) so you don't have to pump twice at work.

It's not really that you have to pump twice at work because he gets two bottles while you're gone...it's that you need to increase your supply during other times (e.g. morning) when you pump so that you can send that to the caregiver.  I hope that makes sense.  (I pumped for a year with both kids).

[cathte]

When I returned to work after 2 months, I had to pump in the bathroom stall in the teacher 's bathroom at lunch. and breaks! Sad but true. And this is also the same school which wouldn't give me an elevator key at 8 months pregnant and carrying all in the front ( and I gained about 50 lbs)
without a note from the dr. stating I need one!!

[mjande4]

Quoting flowersmama:

so far i think your best option is to have someone cover for a few minutes while you pump. maybe the teacher next door or down the hall who is in their planning period?

That's not fair to the other teacher. They have contracted time to plan, etc. essentially you are asking them to give up that time to do HER job. She's going to have to pump at lunch and on HER prep period. It's one thing if a friend "volunteers", but you can't expect someone to cover a class for you.

[mjande4]

Here's the reason I said the former. We just had a similar situation in our dept/school. A brand new teacher demanded that someone cover her class so that she could pump. It went over like a lead balloon. The entire dept hates her now. It's the first week and she's being avoided like the plague. She has a prep hour and lunch so the expectation that others should take on HER responsibilities did NOT go over well. I should add that legally there is NO requirement that others cover for you on the job.

[flowersmama]

im sorry maybe i was not clear. i meant for her to ask someone to help her out, not make someone do it. and this if for if she needs the time and help, not so she can get more time off.

Quoting mjande4:

Quoting flowersmama:

so far i think your best option is to have someone cover for a few minutes while you pump. maybe the teacher next door or down the hall who is in their planning period?

That's not fair to the other teacher. They have contracted time to plan, etc. essentially you are asking them to give up that time to do HER job. She's going to have to pump at lunch and on HER prep period. It's one thing if a friend "volunteers", but you can't expect someone to cover a class for you.

[TheMrs407]

I sadly didn't do this, I wish I had.  My coworkers simply have another teacher (usually a special ed who doesn't have a student at the time) come in and take over the class for a bit.  An old custodians office has been designated as the "Pumping Room". No issue.

I agree, he's in unfamiliar territory.  Is there someone he can talk to?

[TheMrs407]

Quoting mjande4:

Quoting flowersmama:

so far i think your best option is to have someone cover for a few minutes while you pump. maybe the teacher next door or down the hall who is in their planning period?

That's not fair to the other teacher. They have contracted time to plan, etc. essentially you are asking them to give up that time to do HER job. She's going to have to pump at lunch and on HER prep period. It's one thing if a friend "volunteers", but you can't expect someone to cover a class for you.

An aide with enough college hours can cover.  It's really not that big of a deal.

[Hapsand123]

LOL. I know I know, I wasnt thinking, I just couldnt imagine having to pump at work ya know.

Quoting JocelynsMama1:

lol what?! shes pumping BECAUSE her baby isn't with her....you pump so they have milk when they are away form you.....you store the milk for future days? what are you confused about...if the baby was with her she would jsut nurse lol

Quoting Hapsand123:

Im confused. I was at home when I had mine, no work. But My question is, why pumping if your working. Your baby isnt with you are they. 

Just a question, I have no idea. lol. 

[JocelynsMama1]

oh I can imagine it i did it for 15 months

Quoting Hapsand123:

LOL. I know I know, I wasnt thinking, I just couldnt imagine having to pump at work ya know.

Quoting JocelynsMama1:

lol what?! shes pumping BECAUSE her baby isn't with her....you pump so they have milk when they are away form you.....you store the milk for future days? what are you confused about...if the baby was with her she would jsut nurse lol

Quoting Hapsand123:

Im confused. I was at home when I had mine, no work. But My question is, why pumping if your working. Your baby isnt with you are they. 

Just a question, I have no idea. lol.