Nursing mothers in nursing school

TRINI_RN · Oct 8, 2005

Clinicals!!!! WOW!!! I dont think thats allowed!!!!

LOL. Now THAT's a little bit too far. :roll

hospitalstaph · Oct 8, 2005

Well I am a woman and a mother of an 8 month old and I also find it to be ridiculous. I think that it would be very distracting, not only for the mother but her classmates. How can one concentrate on the material being taught if they have to also care for their newborn? As posted in other threads of this nature I have strong opinions about the time needed to care for and nurture a young baby and I just don't see how that time could be taken while sitting in a 6 hour long lecture with your baby.
I would go with pumping as most everyone has suggested. I also second the Pump in Style. Someone posted that these are not meant to be used by multiple users but they can be as long as you have your own works ie: tubing, breast shields and collection containers which you can purchase for about $50. The milk itself never comes in contact with the pump portion. How do you think that hospitals can rent pumps? Also the idea of having your husband bring in the baby on your breaks is a great idea. It is easier to keep up your supply if your baby is actually feeding at the breast more, plus it will give you that extra mommy time that I am sure you will want.

The internal parts of the Pump N Style are not sealed. Check with your local Medela rep and they will also tell you that they are not intended to be passed around, reguardless of the fact that a mother purchases a new collection kit. Pump N Style's are not rented by hospital or pump stations for this very reason and also because they are designed to last about a year with full time pumping. (yes I they often last ALOT longer) I have also heard that Medela will not sell collection kits to the public for the Pump N Style to discourage multiple users. I do not know this first hand but have heard from more than one person. I would imagine that individual pump stations set their own guidelines.

Tracy

Fun2, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

I really don't care who breastfeeds where, although I don't think children belong in the classroom unless it's an emergency situation.

...And for pete's sake, if you breast feed, cover yourself up! Not all mom's want their children seeing other people's breast! I don't even walk around naked in front of my own children, why would I want them seeing yours?

I did breastfeed, but I did go to the bathroom if I was at church. I've been told of a lady breastfeeding in the middle of the service & NOT bothering to cover herself up. That is a lack of respect for others.

IMO

nursemommyof3 · Oct 8, 2005

I'm due in December with child #3, and did BF my other 2 children. I have bought a kit for my medela PIS, and bought it used, and it will now be used for a 4th child, and the motor is just fine. But you already have a pump, so you are ok there. I personally wouldn't bring my child to class to BF, or have my husband bring him, as we only get 15 minute breaks, not near enough time to pump/feed. As for taking your child to the bathroom to go feed, would you like to eat your lunch in the bathroom? Good luck with whichever route you choose.

austin heart, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

The internal parts of the Pump N Style are not sealed. Check with your local Medela rep and they will also tell you that they are not intended to be passed around, reguardless of the fact that a mother purchases a new collection kit. Pump N Style's are not rented by hospital or pump stations for this very reason and also because they are designed to last about a year with full time pumping. (yes I they often last ALOT longer) I have also heard that Medela will not sell collection kits to the public for the Pump N Style to discourage multiple users. I do not know this first hand but have heard from more than one person. I would imagine that individual pump stations set their own guidelines though.
Tracy

I bought a collection kit from a hospital here in town for $45 and then used a friend's Pump In Style. Had no problems but neither I nor my friend where heavy pumpers (LOL, that sounds funny :)). I personaly would not purchase a used pump from someone I do not know. I trust my friend and know that she kept the equipment clean and had no infections or such while using it. I do agree with you that individual pump stations would probably set their own guidelines.

I really don't care who breastfeeds where, although I don't think children belong in the classroom unless it's an emergency situation.
...And for pete's sake, if you breast feed, cover yourself up! Not all mom's want their children seeing other people's breast! I don't even walk around naked in front of my own children, why would I want them seeing yours?
I did breastfeed, but I did go to the bathroom if I was at church. I've been told of a lady breastfeeding in the middle of the service & NOT bothering to cover herself up. That is a lack of respect for others.
IMO

What does this post have to do with the OP's question?

mstigerlily · Oct 8, 2005

I am a postpartum nurse and breastfed three babies, one for only a few months but one for 16 months, the other I'm still nursing and he's 18 months. I nursed the 2nd through prerequisites and had the 3rd after 3rd semester (took a semester off and went back when he was around 5 months old). So I have some ideas for you.

Luckily, my clinicals were two days a week from 3-7. However, we needed to get there early and the hospital was half an hour away so I was gone from 1:30 to 7:30. However, at 5-6 months I only missed one feeding. I'd feed at 1:30 then feed when I got home. Generally I would try to pump if I had time during clinicals in the bathroom but I was never a good pumper and could only get 3-4 oz max. We have plenty of breastfeeding moms at work who pump and some are good pumpers but still it's not the same as having the baby nurse. Try to nurse as much as possible when you are home, including night feedings.

I started working 12 hr shifts as an RN when he was 11 months old. My husband would bring him once during the day at lunchtime and I would pump once and that was it. We worked 2 12 hr shifts a week and had 1 8 hr class a week as a new grad. Then after orientation I switched to nights which worked better for me as far as childcare and seeing my family. Of course I don't need to pump now as my son only nurses a few times a day.

Your baby will be really young and will be tough on your milk supply, they eat so often then. Hopefully you will be a good pumper, Medela has some good ones, try Ebay for cheaper prices on new sealed pumps. If your husband or family member has flexible schedules and are nearby your classes, see if they can pop by once when you have breaks, teachers generally give breaks around the same time.

As far as having baby in the classroom when they are really small, just a few weeks old it wouldn't be a problem as babies on the breast are quiet. I would bring my son to movies and just nurse him and he would conk out. Generally no one would know we had an infant. But this stopped around 5-6 months and this would stop even earlier if you were in class with people around, lights on, etc. Plus the bigger they are, the harder to be discreet while nursing as they twist around, twiddle your nipples, pull covers off their head, yank their head away to look at stuff, thus leaving you exposed, etc. Very hard to nurse discreetly in public with a wide awake 5+ month old baby. I know because I have tried many times. That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with nursing in public, it has to be done, babies get hungry. No one is ashamed to let people see them holding a bottle for a baby, no one should be ashamed of their breasts either. Sure, don't HANG them out, try to be discreet but things happen, an accidental flash of the nipple should be no big deal to anyone, including children. Children only make it a big deal if their parents do, they are open, relaxed and matter of fact about their bodies and bodily functions, we should be too.

Melissa

I will begin my nursing school classes right around when I have a 5-6 week old baby. Some of my evening classes will be 6 hours long. For mothers in nursing school with infants, and more specifically, mothers who nurse their newborns, how do you do it? Thanks!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

I bought a collection kit from a hospital here in town for $45 and then used a friend's Pump In Style. Had no problems but neither I nor my friend where heavy pumpers (LOL, that sounds funny :)). I personaly would not purchase a used pump from someone I do not know. I trust my friend and know that she kept the equipment clean and had no infections or such while using it. I do agree with you that individual pump stations would probably set their own guidelines.
What does this post have to do with the OP's question?

Wow, bite my head off! :eek:

What does YOUR post have to do with the OP's question?

The OP's question was dealing with how to breastfeed her infant while attending nursing school. My reply was where ever she does it, make sure she covers herself up.

She was not asking about where to buy breastpumps.

I do agree, this post has gone way off topic, but one thought leads to another thought. I guess that's why we are now talking about brands of breastpumps & where to buy them, instead of helping the OP with suggestions to allow her breastfeed while in school.

If I offended you, it sure wasn't meant that way.

austin heart, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

Wow, bite my head off!
What does YOUR post have to do with the OP's question?
The OP's question was dealing with how to breastfeed her infant while attending nursing school. My reply was where ever she does it, make sure she covers herself up.
She was not asking about where to buy breastpumps.

UMMMMMM, was not aware that my post constituted bighting your head off, I was just asking a question. OP was not asking for advice on how to discretely breastfeed in public or at least that is not how I read her post. I just personally found your post offensive and off topic. As far as the breast pump issue if you have read the whole thread someone else had brought up the topic of whether used breast pumps where safe or not.

Edited to say I was typing my post as you where editing yours. Truce! :)

PedsRN&momto5girls · Oct 8, 2005

People today generally see more breast with a woman in a bikini than with a mom who is breastfeeding her infant without a cover up. I think it's funny that most people don't mind seeing some skin on a woman in general, but when she's breastfeeeding her baby we better not see ANYTHING?! I actually am extremely modest and always cover up and don't even like to NIP, but sometimes I don't have a choice. My dd HAS to eat and if there isn't a place to feed her in private, then I'll do it in public (covered up). She does try to throw the blanket off, kick around and do all kinds of things to make it obvious which I can't stand but she's getting what she needs and that's really all that matters. I'm not bashing anyone on here about the cover up comment because I understand where you're coming from. I'm just saying I think it's funny how a big majority of people see nothing wrong with bikinis(not saying anyone here is condoning bikini) and yet can't stand seeing a woman breastfeeding who is generally (I know not always) showing less than a bikini would. Oh, I have 5 daughters (4 of them breastfed) and I have yet to feed them in a bathroom. I would never want to eat in a bathroom and I'm sure not going to have my children do it.

OP....I am actually postponing clinicals two whole semesters because I have a baby breastfeeding. I nurse my babies until 12 months. Unfortunately, wether it's a 7 or 12 hour clinical we only get one 30 minute break. I HAVE to eat and I just don't think I'll have time to do both. I'm sure it can be done, but our school makes no exceptions to the 30 minute break.

Melissa, mom to Kaylee 9/14/97, Megan 12/13/99, Chelsea 8/9/01, Hannah 6/3/03, Sarah Grace 4/23/05, & 3 Angels In Heaven