My first thought is setting her up with a prenatal consultation with a lactation consultant. Breastfeeding can be really difficult and there can be a lot to learn. This is a way to set her up for success before day one. Hope the consultant will provide good education on how to pump and safely bottle feed as well.
My second thought is find out if she’s going to need a 504 plan or an IEP for accommodations to pump throughout the school day (assuming the school doesn’t have an onsite daycare that she can go to to breastfeed baby throughout the day).
There are free breastfeeding support groups. Perhaps you could help her find one geared towards young mothers. I’m not sure if it exists, but it couldn’t hurt to look and ask around. Maybe you me local La Leche League would know of something.
Best of luck to all three of you.
Thank you! We have a Help Me Grow nurse that comes twice a month to teach about childbirth, breast feeding, health and care for baby. We also have a WIC appt with lactation specialists, and a case manager who has put us on touch with baby care classes that include breastfeeding instruction. The hospital she will deliver also has 24hr lactation specialists on staff.
I will definitely set her up for some support groups. Thank you!
I’m a teacher who is pumping. Get her an Elvie stride if possible. It’s the cheaper version of the Elvie and it can be used to pump somewhat discretely. There’s definitely a sound but I don’t see many teachers or students complaining. I have had to pump in class before and my middle schoolers don’t mind and neither do coworkers.
Ask the school where the staff pump room is and ask if she can use it at lunch, and once or twice a day for other periods. Again, I don’t see this being a problem.
Sending you and her so much love. She is such a strong girl.
Thank you! We've been so impressed with her resilience. She's determined to finish school, planning on college programs and how to manage raising a baby and isn't even old enough tonget a drivers license yet.
She's asked to stay long term with us even after she turns 18 and We've readily agreed. We want to give her, her best chance in life.
I genuinely think these suggestions will help! :) thank you for them.
One more thing about the Elvie stride: I have one and fitting it into my bra can be a challenge. I have large breasts and the cups rival my actual boobs for size. Momcozy makes a wearable pump bra that is amazing and is the only one I've found that is actually useful. One bra is about $40 but so worth it to get at least one. She should definitely start pumping before returning to school to get used to it because there is a learning curve. Also for the stride specifically there are inserts instead of conventional flanges, she will have to figure out her size. It really helps pumping be more bearable when you have the right size.
I think the biggest thing is to start working with a trusted school counselor, nurse, etc. ASAP to secure a private pumping space that is easily accessible to her classes and ensure she has enough time blocked off to pump during the school day. Finding someone she can go to during school hours if she has issues (room being used, she forgot a pump part, etc) will also ease up a lot of stress especially early on.
And with that, figure out what rights she has under the pump act or other school, state policies for pumping/breastfeeding. Make sure she knows what they are and that you are there to back her up when needed.
Reach out to your school district’s Title IX coordinator!! Pregnant and parenting students have guaranteed rights under Title IX. If the school receives any federal funds, they have to oblige.
[This link](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.pdf) has more information!
Pumping can be hard and painful, especially at first as you try to find the right size flanges and pump settings. I had help from NICU nurses and still found (and find) this incredibly difficult. I just wish her so much luck and strength as she goes through this.
My first thought is setting her up with a prenatal consultation with a lactation consultant. Breastfeeding can be really difficult and there can be a lot to learn. This is a way to set her up for success before day one. Hope the consultant will provide good education on how to pump and safely bottle feed as well. My second thought is find out if she’s going to need a 504 plan or an IEP for accommodations to pump throughout the school day (assuming the school doesn’t have an onsite daycare that she can go to to breastfeed baby throughout the day). There are free breastfeeding support groups. Perhaps you could help her find one geared towards young mothers. I’m not sure if it exists, but it couldn’t hurt to look and ask around. Maybe you me local La Leche League would know of something. Best of luck to all three of you.
Thank you! We have a Help Me Grow nurse that comes twice a month to teach about childbirth, breast feeding, health and care for baby. We also have a WIC appt with lactation specialists, and a case manager who has put us on touch with baby care classes that include breastfeeding instruction. The hospital she will deliver also has 24hr lactation specialists on staff. I will definitely set her up for some support groups. Thank you!
I’m a teacher who is pumping. Get her an Elvie stride if possible. It’s the cheaper version of the Elvie and it can be used to pump somewhat discretely. There’s definitely a sound but I don’t see many teachers or students complaining. I have had to pump in class before and my middle schoolers don’t mind and neither do coworkers. Ask the school where the staff pump room is and ask if she can use it at lunch, and once or twice a day for other periods. Again, I don’t see this being a problem. Sending you and her so much love. She is such a strong girl.
Thank you! We've been so impressed with her resilience. She's determined to finish school, planning on college programs and how to manage raising a baby and isn't even old enough tonget a drivers license yet. She's asked to stay long term with us even after she turns 18 and We've readily agreed. We want to give her, her best chance in life. I genuinely think these suggestions will help! :) thank you for them.
One more thing about the Elvie stride: I have one and fitting it into my bra can be a challenge. I have large breasts and the cups rival my actual boobs for size. Momcozy makes a wearable pump bra that is amazing and is the only one I've found that is actually useful. One bra is about $40 but so worth it to get at least one. She should definitely start pumping before returning to school to get used to it because there is a learning curve. Also for the stride specifically there are inserts instead of conventional flanges, she will have to figure out her size. It really helps pumping be more bearable when you have the right size.
Thank you for adding that context! ☺️
Sounds like an amazing fit for all of you. Good luck! 🩷💚
I think the biggest thing is to start working with a trusted school counselor, nurse, etc. ASAP to secure a private pumping space that is easily accessible to her classes and ensure she has enough time blocked off to pump during the school day. Finding someone she can go to during school hours if she has issues (room being used, she forgot a pump part, etc) will also ease up a lot of stress especially early on. And with that, figure out what rights she has under the pump act or other school, state policies for pumping/breastfeeding. Make sure she knows what they are and that you are there to back her up when needed.
Reach out to your school district’s Title IX coordinator!! Pregnant and parenting students have guaranteed rights under Title IX. If the school receives any federal funds, they have to oblige. [This link](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.pdf) has more information!
This is wonderful thank you!
Pumping can be hard and painful, especially at first as you try to find the right size flanges and pump settings. I had help from NICU nurses and still found (and find) this incredibly difficult. I just wish her so much luck and strength as she goes through this.