Breastfeeding: Returning to Work

Many people think they cannot breastfeed because they are returning to work full or part-time. This is not true. There are several ways to maintain a milk supply and continue to breast feed. As a matter of fact, employees who continue to breastfeed miss less work because they have healthier babies.

If possible, plan to stay at home with your new baby for at least 4 to 6 weeks or longer. The extra time spent with your baby could be helpful in many ways. You can establish a good milk supply, develop a good relationship with your baby, and allow your body to rest and recover from pregnancy and childbirth.

Maintaining your milk supply

There are several ways you can maintain your milk supply after returning to work. The method that you choose should be decided by what works best for you based on:

• The demands of your job, and the needs of your baby.
• The availability of a private area at work for pumping or hand expression, with access to an electrical outlet, and a door lock.

If there is no area at work set aside for pumping, you might discuss this with management. Keep in mind that companies benefit from employees who breast feed:

• Less work absenteeism due to less illness for baby and mother.
• Lower health care costs for the company. =
• Employee satisfaction is higher which may lead to greater productivity and less job turnover.

Feeding choices

The approaches below are examples of what you might choose. You might want to discuss other approaches with your doctor, lactation consultant, and employer.

• You may choose to pump or hand express while at work. A good double electric breast pump is preferable when working full-time.
  • Feed your baby before you leave for work. Feed the baby when you first wake up and then again right before you leave.
  • Pump or hand express about every 3 hours during the 8-hour work day, or if possible as often as your baby feeds. When you plan how often to pump, remember to add your travel time to and from work. Frequent pumping or hand expression will help you maintain a good milk supply.
  • Feed your baby as soon as you return home from work. Tell your child care provider not to feed your baby just before you come home. That way your baby will be hungry and will latch right away.
  • Feed on demand throughout the evening and night. Some babies will take only a small amount of milk during the day and will want to feed frequently at night.
  • On your days off from work, feed at the times you would usually pump.
• If you work close to home, you may choose to:
  • Have your child care provider bring your baby to work for you to feed during your breaks and lunch.
  • Go home to feed you baby during your breaks and lunch.
• Talk with your employer about a flexible schedule that might include:
  • Working part-time (4 hours per day), or job-sharing with another working mother.
  • Starting back to work part-time for a few weeks before you return to work full-time.

Keep in mind that parenting and working outside the home are two jobs! Ask your family to help with housework or, if possible, hire someone to help you. Take time to network with other working parents and share ideas.

Works Cited

Lawrence, Ruth A. & Lawrence, Robert M. “Breastfeeding, A Guide for the Medical Professional”, Ninth edition, ELSEVIER, 2022.

Wambach, Karen and Spencer, Becky “Breastfeeding and Human Lactation”, Sixth edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2021.

The Office on Women’s Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, What the law says about breastfeeding and work. Retrieved 06/01/24.