Breastfeeding in Nursing School

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Hi everyone!

I applied to JDCC for spring of '16 ADN program, and was accepted! I am so excited! But I also found out that I am expecting again, and bottle-feeding (formula) is NOT an option for me. I am due June 23 so I'm going to be taking the summer off to have the baby. Has anyone ever breastfed exclusively and successfully while in nursing school? Obviously by pumping. The baby will also be in daycare.

Thanks a lot!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Yes it can be done.

And not to sound crass but you might want to reduce your expectations. Babies have a way of changing plans. I didn't want a c section or to use formula but both of those things saved my and my child's life.

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I've exclusively nursed both my kids through a demanding full time job and now a full time student. I know I'm not in nursing school, but my advice from my experience in school would be to plan out pumping as close to when your little one will be getting a bottle and most importantly find out if there's a place for you to pump at your school. I pumped in the bathroom or my car because I didn't have time between classes to do anything other than than (find the health center etc). But I would hope in nursing school they can provide you somewhere decent to pump!! Good luck!

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Best advice for nursing school - be flexible! Some things will HAVE to be an option for you. Whether the option be attending nursing school or breastfeeding.

Really depends on how motivated you are. Make friends with your OB instructor and maybe you can pump/BF in their office

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I exclusively pumped for my now one year old during pre reqs. My classes were all short enough I managed to not have to pump while I was there. I did talk to my school about it just in case and they were very supportive and told me to come to the office for the keys to a private spare room they use for pumping staff. Work was actually harder to pump at because there were times I couldn't get away.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

It can be done, but remember that stress can decrease your supply. My advice would be to pump a lot while you are home and store up milk as you are able. Then you will have a fall back supply if things go awry.

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