https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:41:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856869 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 16:08:42 +0000 AmandaB8 1856869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also - considering the sound issue - I put my pump in an insulated soft sided cooler. It works SO much better than my pump bag! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856749 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 15:04:09 +0000 PawPrints 1856749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're in the US, your employer is required to provide you with a space that is "functional [useable] as a space for expressing breast milk." It sounds like when the table is cluttered, it's not functional for you. Tell that to your principal and see if they can come up with a superior space for you to use, or communicate with the special ed classroom that they need to be respectful of the space you have. It's the law. <a href="http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinFederalLaw/SpaceRequirements/tabid/364/Default.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinFederalLaw/SpaceRequirements/tabid/364/Default.aspx</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856737 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:56:11 +0000 anandam 1856737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd also consider reporting the principal to PTA and mother/women's groups at the local Catholic churches. This issue is bigger than you. If I knew my kids' schools were treating teachers this way, especially at a Catholic school that promotes "family values" and relies on tuition money to run, I would raise hell about it. I think you and other teachers would find powerful advocates there.</p> <p>ETA: maybe even try priests and the bishop! Seriously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856712 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:40:02 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1856712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: I would just do it and not say anything. And then if you get reprimanded, fight back. It's stupid (IMO) to have a private locked space that has all of your things in it that you can't use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856653 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:11:02 +0000 snowjewelz 1856653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would def be persistent and try to ask for another place! Maybe you can team up with the other pumping mom to do it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856645 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:06:08 +0000 Mrs. J 1856645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: unfortunately, no! The kids go to the deans' office when they feel ill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856600 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:48:47 +0000 mamimami 1856600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have an infirmary? That's where I always pumped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856534 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:22:54 +0000 Mrs. J 1856534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @looch: my coworker who was reprimanded only got an email that said pumping was not allowed in classrooms (which is kind of how our principal operates). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856514 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:18:17 +0000 avivoca 1856514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would very nicely ask for the area to be kept clear, and even ask if you could pump in your classroom. I had to ask twice for my area to be kept clear in the storage closet when I was pumping there. If you are given the green light to pump in your room, you may want to post a "Do not Disturb" sign on your door while you are pumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856448 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:51:02 +0000 Mrs. J 1856448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I believe that was it. I've pumped in my room surreptitiously before, but I was always anxious about someone walking in on me and me getting in trouble.<br /> @Mrs Green Grass: I know! I think he was very embarrassed, but still.<br /> @Mrs. High Heels: Yes--I'm sure the director of that dept would be very nice about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856438 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:46:24 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1856438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: Uh... He should've apologized not gotten the teacher reprimanded! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856435 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:45:10 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1856435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: I would ask. I would also want to know why I couldn't pump in my room! (I pumped in my room at a public high school.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856421 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:40:08 +0000 looch 1856421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reprimanded how, as in, just told not to pump in her classroom? </p> <p>I'd inform them that i am using my classroom to pump unless they have a legitimate reason against it, but I am ballsy like that when it comes to what I need, especially at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856413 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:38:28 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1856413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: agree. Just ask. </p> <p>People often don't realize how their behavior effects others, so you might as well bring it to their attention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856393 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:32:55 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1856393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would say something in a nice way - "Do you think it would be possible if...", "Would you mind....", etc. Approach makes a big difference.</p> <p>I'm always of the mindset that it doesn't hurt to ask, and "if you don't ask you don't get". The worst they can say is no... and if they do say no you're just left where you're currently at anyway. So there's nowhere for you to go but up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856390 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:31:48 +0000 Anagram 1856390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: I pumped last school year and asked to be able to use a closet off the library (I'm a school librarian). Even though most people don't even know that room exists, there would be days when I would go to pump and a teacher would have student in there doing a make up test or something!</p> <p>Schools are just ridiculous when it comes to pumping at work, which is very sad considering so many teachers are women. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856371 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:27:43 +0000 Vegmama 1856371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry I don't have the resources, but I believe employers are required to give time and space for pumping mothers. Working at a private school, though, I'm not sure how they are governed. Good luck mama!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856290 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:54:01 +0000 Mrs. J 1856290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: I suppose if they needed to use it for something? Two years ago when a fellow teacher was pumping, she tried to use her room instead. She locked the door, put paper on the window, and used a cover, and one of the IT guys used his key, walked in, and complained to his mom who works in the main office. The teacher got reprimanded and was told she couldn't use her room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856284 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:52:22 +0000 nana87 1856284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's the rationale for not using your classroom if it would be empty then anyway? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856282 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:52:09 +0000 Mrs. J 1856282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Panda: No real teachers' lounge...there's a lunchroom and a "lounge" that was a couch inside of the mailroom but has since been replaced by copiers and computers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856269 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:48:24 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1856269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there not a teachers lounge you can pump in our even an unused office? They should have a safe and clean place for you to pump! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-what-would-you-do-am-i-just-being-whiny#post-1856254 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:36:01 +0000 Mrs. J 1856254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, this might be a little long/rambly, so bear with me. </p> <p>The current pumping situation at work is less than desirable. I teach at a Catholic HS, so we don't have a nice little room for pumping. We are not permitted to pump in our classrooms (even though I don't share mine). </p> <p>I pump in a closet inside our special ed/resource center. There is one tiny table with a microwave that takes most of the space on the table. When I am in here, I can hear everything going on in the outer room, especially when students are there, some of whom are mine. They know I'm in here, and it can be awkward. I've had issues with one of the male teachers talking about my pumping. </p> <p>(They used to make mom pump in the locker room, which was gross, so I suppose this is an upgrade).</p> <p>Anyway, I understand that the special ed dept is being accommodating by letting me be in here (or not fighting the principal), but many times when I come in, I have to rearrange the furniture/clear off the tiny table so that there's space for me to pump/eat. I should add that some of my frustration comes from the fact that I have a limited window to pump--that specific period. I teach before it, I supervise after it, and so there's a very set amount of time.</p> <p>I'll be done in 1-2 months, but there's another teacher who uses it later in the day, so the mess I cleaned will become her mess when I no longer pump.</p> <p>Is it even worth it for me to mention to the special ed dept that it would be very nice if they didn't put stuff on the microwave table/ that kids shouldn't put their crap on there? Or should I just suck it up until I'm done? I don't think they'll let me pump anywhere else, and I would have to pump here again with subsequent LOs.</p> <p>PS it's like a freezer in here!!! BRRR.<br /> Thoughts? </p>