Breastfeeding/pumping and 1st yr nursing school

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I will have a 3mon old when I start Fundamentals this fall. Breastfeeding is non-negotiable, and I know that I have a right to pump, depending on my state (SD), but I want to hear from people who have actually done this, or who have supported it and seen it done successfully.

Please, no shaming or telling me to just go on formula :)

I'm not even exactly sure what the days in classes/clinicals are going to look like, what facilities or breaks I'll have, so any and all insights are really helpful to me right now.

Thanks in advance!

It's one of those things that you have to find the time in-between. I have breastfed 5 kids and pumped during pre-reqs which was easy. But you may have to pump during lunch/breaks. If you have a really good double electric pump you should be able to pump in 5 to 10 min. Ask your professors if they can let you have 10 before or 10 just before class ends. Most are very understanding.

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Specializes in Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula.

Yes- please keep me (us) updated. I want to hear how pumping during clinicals go. My understanding and assumption is that there are lactation rooms in most medical facilites, and there's probably some sort of space other than the bathroom at any educational institution, due to the new "breastfeeding in the workplace" initiatives.

I also plan on pumping after each feeding at home. It's going to be a lot of sleeplessness, but I'm hoping I'll be through the brunt of it by the time school gets really intense. The nice thing is that I don't also have to go to a job. I have NO idea how I'd make it work if I had to do that.

And throwing in the towel is not an option. But I have thought about what I would do if it doesn't work or my supply craps out, and I'll probably find donor milk. I am super intentional about a whole/real foods lifestyle (I hate that word "lifestyle".. it's just deeply rooted in my values) so formula is just not an option for us (no shame on any mamas here). But that's worst case scenario for us. I'm pretty determined to just DO IT.

wileynurse- have you checked out your local La Leche League groups? Do you have local lactation consultants or counselors? You probably have local resources you don't know about yet. Let me know what you find- I'm a transplant to the Black Hills, so I'm starting to investigate. And I'll do the same, checking back here and letting y'all know how it goes :)

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Speaking of pumping after feeding, I always had a great pump right before bed. It was the LAST thing I wanted to do LOL but I'd hook up and watch some TV just so I could have extra in the freezer. I think if you have a good supply (which it sounds like you will) and the determination to do it, you'll be fine!!!

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Hi,

Congratulations! I started NS last fall and my second son was 3 months old. He is 9 months old now and I am still pumping. I am in an a "part-time" program and have talked with my instructors about pumping. They have all been great about it. They are nurses and should be understanding and supportive!

When I have a long school day- I pump or feed right before leaving the house. Then I pump on break from class and pump or feed as soon as I get home. My clinical days were 4 hours the first quarter so I didn't pump at clinical. I just fed/pumped right before leaving and as soon as I got home.

This quarter my clinical day is much longer so I will have to take a break and pump at the hospital. I talked with my nursing program advisor about it and she said they will work it in so that I can do it.

Oh, and I DON'T pump in the bathroom at school. My instructor said, "Ew, no, that is your babies food. We will find a place for you to pump." They find an empty room that has blinds on it that can be closed and I lock the door and pump in there. Usually a small classroom.

I'm sure they have had to work around this before, you won't be the first. Congrats on being determined to keep up with your milk. I am planning on BF until he self weans.

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YES!! Thank you, thank you THANK YOU, GrnTea. That is exactly the advice I was looking for. Luckily, this ISN'T my first rodeo (I bf'ed my first until he was 2.5yo) and I struggled with oversupply issues then, so I know these girls work!

Unfortunately, bringing her to class with me will not be practical- I live 75 miles from campus. But I plan on getting hooked up with local LLL mamas, and that will be my sanity-saver. I also have a breastfeeding peer counselor through WIC, so that will help.

I'm pretty freaking determined to make this work. Do you recommend a particular pump? I used a Medela double pump with my first. I'm going to look into how much of it I can get covered by insurance, if at all.

I know WIC in Ca will give you a pump if your in school. The pump-n-style or something?

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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