There is a never-ending list of tasks to do when you are expecting a baby. Returning to work after maternity leave? You have another task on your list…figuring out breastfeeding and pumping as a working teacher mamma. As a teacher, your schedule is often dictated by others and it often leads to little to no private time. This can make pumping at school feel overwhelming and impossible.
Return to work with confidence as a breastfeeding and pumping teacher.
If breasting your baby is important to you and you want to pump at school I’m proof it can work. I don’t know about you, but I tend to overthink new things. I hate when I don’t know how things are going to work. Pumping at school can feel like a crazy new world. My hope is that I can help make the process less overwhelming with a few helpful products and tips.
When it comes to pumping at work there are definitely some must-have products. So, when you begin to create your baby registry do not forget about all the stuff you will need. You can also make the transition smoother and start laying the groundwork before you leave on maternity leave.
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Must-Have Breastfeeding and Pumping Products
This is a list of items that I found valuable as I navigated pumping at work as a teacher.
Pump and Pump Bag
After doing some research, I decided on the Medela Pump in Style Advanced with On the Go Tote, because it includes everything needed to get started. There is a cooler with an ice pack that fits in the bag along with pump parts. It keeps the milk cold without having to keep it in the crowded teacher’s lounge refrigerator. The On the Go Tote is also subtle and doesn’t scream pump bag.
Keep your pump bag clean and transport dirty bottles back and forth with a wet-dry bag like Skip Hop’s Waterproof Wet Dry Bag, Grab & Go. I started out using Ziploc bags, but these quickly got smelly and were a pain to clean. This bag can go in the washer, is easy to wipe down with a wipe, and limits the number of plastic bags used.
Hands-Free Pumping Bra
Having a hands-free pumping bra allows you to pump during your planning and lunch break. The Medela Bra is a great choice and even fit my curvy figure. It does a great job keeping the breast shields in place for a better fit and more efficient milk output. Another option is a hands-free pump bra from Simple Wishes that is more adjustable. The ability to adjust the size of the bra helps ensure a comfortable fit, especially at the beginning.
Extra Pump Parts
A fabulous mom friend suggested having extra pump parts to eliminate the need to clean a set at school. This saves time and ensures a clean set for each pumping session. I found I could set up and break things down in five minutes each. I suggest having four total sets, so you can have two sets per day and not have to wash them each night.
On top of the set that often comes with the breast pump find some great extra parts on Amazon.com. Maymom Pump Part comes with extras for each part needed. The Maymom breast shield is in one piece versus the two separate pieces that Medela has. If you like having two pieces you can also buy extra sets of Medela breast shield connectors and pump shields. The Medela breast shields do come in different sizes which is great to find the best fit!
Small Desk Fan
Are you going to be pumping during the warmer months? Is your school not air-conditioned? If you just experienced a sigh of dread, then a fan like this one will be a lifesaver. It ended up making my time pumping the best part of my day because it felt so good to sit with a fan on those super hot days.
Milk Storage
There are a variety of ways to store breast milk, these are the ones that I had the best success with. If most of the breast milk is going to be used the next day it is more efficient to pump directly into a bottle versus a bag. This eliminates transfers and helps prepare for the next day. When freezing breastmilk I found Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are the best option because the bags are easy to label and take up less space. These Medela Breastmilk Storage Bags are also handy if you want to pump directly into the bag.
When it comes to bottles you’ll have to find what works for your baby, because each baby is different. I used Medela bottles in the beginning and the bottles were great for pumping into. But my daughter refused to drink from them (whomp, whomp). Fellow parents came to the rescue and suggested Dr. Brown Bottles and Anne finally started taking a bottle. A major bonus to using the Dr. Brown Bottles is that they work with the Medala pump parts. Win-Win! (Don’t forget caps to transport pumped milk.)
Breast Care and Comfort
At the hospital, a nurse gave me cooling gel nursing pads and I naively thought I wouldn’t need them. In the first few weeks of nursing, they were vital to my comfort. The same is true as you get into the groove of pumping. I also needed to take more care when my daughter started getting teeth. These items below have greatly helped make each new transition during breastfeeding and pumping less cringe-worthy. 🙂
*Breast Hot or Cold Packs: Lansinoh TeraPearl 3 in 1 Breast Therapy
*Nipple Cream: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream or Medela Tender Care Nipple Cream
*Soothing Gel Pads: Medela Soothing Gel Pads or Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads
*Disposable Nursing Pads: Medela Nursing Pads (Increased comfort and prevents leakage)
Related: Pumping Friendly Work Clothes for Teachers
Tracking App
I use an app on my phone to keep track of how much breast milk I am pumping, where I store the milk, and when to use the milk. The app I use is called Milk Stash.
It quickly allows you to see how much milk you have stored in each storage location and if any of it is close to expiring. Within the app, you can also transfer milk from one storage place to another. The app keeps track of the milk’s expiration date and changes it based on where you store the milk. Milk Stash does the calculations for you when you transfer breast milk from the freezer to the refrigerator. That way you can see at a glance how long the milk will be safe to use.
Milk Stash also allows you to track how much milk you are producing during each pumping session. This can help you see if your milk production is dropping. The app saves you time because you only have to enter the amount of milk produced once. You enter the amounts after you finish pumping and then the app adds it to the storage location you choose.
Get a FREE planning guide for breastfeeding and pumping as a teacher here!
Lay the Groundwork
Getting ready to go on maternity leave? Then add figuring out the how, when, and where for pumping at school should be towards the top of your to-do list. Pumping is a solitary activity, but for it to work smoothly in a school you will need others to help you make it happen.
It would be better if all teachers were treated equally as new moms, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Each state, school district, and individual school has their own procedures and expectations. Check with other teachers or staff members that have recently had a baby and pumped at work. These colleagues can be a fountain of knowledge. I was lucky to have a few other teachers in my building that had made pumping work at school.
I hope and pray you will be as a lucky. They showed me where I could pump, shared helpful tips and products, and encouraged me to stand up for my time to pump. They had also already laid much of the groundwork with our building principal. He was used to the routine and was willing to help make pumping at school work. (Keep reading to learn some great tips from experienced teacher moms.)
If you do not have fellow new or recent moms on staff with you then you have the honor of being a trailblazer. To lay the groundwork you will need to figure a few key things out such as where and when you will pump.
Where to Pump
Make sure it is private. You’ll want to find a place that you are not likely to be interrupted in. A lock would also be super beneficial for your comfort and ability to relax. I did not have a lock and found that a note on the door or letting other staff members know what I was doing worked great.
If your pump isn’t battery-powered make sure that your location has an accessible electrical outlet. It also helps if there is a table or other object to set your pump on versus on the floor.
When looking for a good location you will also need to think about security cameras. We have security cameras all over our school building and there are very few rooms without a camera. Even the small office I pump in has a camera. I was able to gain permission from my administrator to cover the camera to ensure my privacy. I’ve found most people are willing to help make pumping at work possible.
The federal law, that protects breastfeeding (hourly) employees, stipulates that it cannot be in a bathroom. If you do not want to pump in a school bathroom I strongly encourage you to stand up against any suggestion that you do. Set a precedence for how breastfeeding employees should be treated and you will help pave the way for future, new moms.
When to Pump
Having a plan for when you will pump is a major component of your ability to be successful with the process. The goal is to pump each time your baby would normally eat. A school schedule is not always conducive to making that work.
By the time I returned from my maternity leave I would miss two feedings with our daughter Anne. Looking at my class schedule I found that I could pump during my planning and lunchtime. This plan limited the amount of time I was out of the classroom. During these times other teachers or staff members were free if I needed them to cover my class for a few minutes.
Get a FREE planning guide for breastfeeding and pumping as a teacher here!
There are pros and cons for whenever you are going to pump. I had less planning time and missed out on spending time with others during my lunch break. If you pump during class time you’ll need someone to cover your class and something for students to do independently.
If you will need to rely on others it is best to start working with them before you leave to have your baby. This will help ensure a smooth transition back to work with everyone on the same page.
As the federal law is written for hourly employees, some people suggest that teachers are not protected under that law. Certain states have more extensive laws protecting all breastfeeding employees. To find out more about your state’s breastfeeding laws check out the mamava website. Find out what policies your school district has by checking with your union or human resources representatives. Especially if you are getting push back from your administrator.
Helpful Tips
- Create a bright, visible but non-specific sign for the room you will use. My sign said, “Room in Use, Knock Before Entering.”
- Pack an extra shirt or even a change of clothes. This is great in case of leaks or milk spills. Or if you’re like me and pump during lunch you may spill half a cup of yogurt on your shirt. 😛
- Spread the news. Make sure that the adults that work with and around you know what you are doing and when. They can help protect your time and keep others from looking for you.
- Strategically place a bag, chair, etc. in front of you to give yourself more privacy. That way if someone doesn’t read the sign and barges in you’re covered. Yep…been there experienced that.
- Email or call ahead in the case of field trips or professional developments. I took my students on a week long, all day field trip to a nature center. I was worried that it would be difficult, but everyone I worked with was very supportive. I found this to be true everywhere I went and needed to find a safe place to pump.
Related: Overcome Mom Brain Forgetfulness
Related: 4 Reasons Why Amazon Baby Registry Rocks!
There are a lot of unknowns as a new mom and pumping at work is yet another adjustment. Breastfeeding and pumping as a teacher is possible. Make a list of the gear you’ll need and add some to your registry. Then lay the groundwork at school and have a plan for when you return to work. Taking these steps will give you the best possible chance for success.
Remind yourself to go with the flow and that you have tomorrow as a day made fresh! You will find a system that works best for you, your baby, and your schedule. It may be nursing and pumping and it may not be and that is ok.
Wondering more about my process or need help thinking through your plan please reach out. I’d love to hear from other pumping, teacher moms!
Need help figuring out your schedule? Download a free breastfeeding and pumping as a teacher planning guide below!
