Students with nursling, current or former--need help

[JTA Mom]

I'm currently taking one science course, Anatomy. It's a 5 hr class twice a week with a 10 minute break in between, no time to pump. I feel like my supply has dropped, & I posted a thread in Breastfeeding for help.

The thing is, I am looking to take a summer science course. Either way, it's 5 hours, 4 times a week. Another lab & lecture combo with little/no break. Is this possible with a nursling? If so, any tips, btdt?

Baby won't be 1 until late September & I don't want to wean him before then--or even at that time--but how do I do this?

Ami

[Sfcmama]

Can babe be brought to you to nurse? Either during lecture or on break? My dd can nurse much more in 10min than I can pump? Or... Are there other classes you can take and put this off till the fall?

[OnEarth]

I started classes when DD was 3 months old, I had 6 hours of class with a 15 minute break. BUT the first class was a lab and routinely got out early so I would go pump in the bathroom. Not ideal, but we made it. It depends on how much volume you get. What was really frustrating was that sometimes I would get 2 oz, and other times 10 oz, and no way to predict how much I would end up with. That may have been because my pump sucked

You could talk to your professors, they would probably be understanding about you taking a longer break, leaving early or come back later between classes.

[t2009]

I agree with Sfcmama - If someone can bring baby to nurse during that 10 min break, it would be ideal because it would save you the hassle of having to figure out how to pump.

If it's not possible,are there other times during the day that you can pump? That way you can build up a supply to leave at home for the times you are in class. I was often unsuccessful when I pumped between classes, so I usually also pumped 1st thing in the morning & also before bed (& sometimes at other times) -- that way, I always had enough to leave DS during the days when I was gone.

And if you can pump for even 5 or 7 minutes during the break, that would help you keep up your supply (& maybe get an extra couple of ounces). If you talk to your professor, too, you might be able to be excused if you run a little longer every once in a while.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Yeah, talk to the prof, and talk to the disabilities coordinator at your school (I know, you aren't disabled, but that person will be the one to get you excused from class for 5 minutes while you pump on break).  My school had a specific room that was designated as the "lactation" room and had a fridge and everything inside, and it was passworded so that there were only a few people who could get in.

You could also talk to the dean of students.

[sweetest]

Depending on how approchable your prof is, let him/her know you need an extra 5-10 minutes. I had to do this in one of my classes ( 4 hour night class) I told the prof I was lactating and expressing breast milk during the break, so I needed 15 minutes. I also kept the pump as put together as possible and I sat near the door ( for a quick getaway and an easy return) Also, pump right before and right after.