Breastfeeding and Working

Congratulations on breastfeeding your baby! Your baby gets important health benefits from breastfeeding, and you can keep giving your baby breast milk when you go back to work. Continuing to breastfeed can keep your baby healthy so that you miss less work.

There are several things you might do just as you start back working to make breastfeeding easier. It might help to work part-time hours for a short time before going back to work full-time. It also can help if you can work from home for some of your work hours. Check to see if there are hours you can work that you could bring your baby to work. Start back to work on a Thursday or Friday so you and your baby have a few days to adjust before you start a full work week. If you can find child care close to your work, you can nurse your baby during your lunch break.

Get everything you need for pumping your breasts and storing breast milk together the night before you go to work. Pack your bag and the supplies you will need to pump as well as the baby's bag. You can also thaw the amount of breast milk you will need for the next day by putting it in the refrigerator the night before. Lay out clothes for both of you the night before so you have extra time in the morning to nurse your baby before going to work.

Start talking to your supervisor about your plan to breastfeed before you have your baby. Find out if your workplace has a program to help provide support for breastfeeding. If not, talk to them about creating such a program. Get tips from others in your company who have successfully breastfed while they returned to work. It might help to remind your supervisor that you may miss fewer days of work due to a sick child and have less health care costs if you keep breastfeeding. Ask if there is a place to pump and store breastmilk. Law requires most employers to provide break time and a private space to pump.

Your most important goal after the baby is born is to have enough breast milk. Feed your baby at least 8 to 12 times a day. After you have a good supply of breast milk for your baby, start pumping milk at least once a day at about the same time each day. This will help increase your milk supply and give you extra breast milk in the freezer for other times you want to give your baby a bottle. Pump after the feeding. Late at night and early in the morning usually provide the most milk. Don't worry if you get little or no milk at first. Your breasts will make more milk over time as you continue to pump. Start introducing a bottle to your baby at least a week or two before you return to work.

A high-quality double-sided electric breast pump is the best type of breast pump for those who work. You will be able to pump both breasts in 10 to 15 minutes. You can buy or rent your pump. The cost will be small compared to the cost of formula. Your local WIC office, health department, hospital, or health care provider can help you learn where to buy or rent your pump. Check with your health insurance because most pay for breast pumps if you have a prescription from your health care provider.

Plan to pump when your baby would normally breastfeed. This is usually every 2 to 3 hours. Ideally you will pump about 3 times during an 8-hour day. Pumping this many times will allow you to store enough breast milk to replace what your baby drinks while you are gone. If you can't take enough breaks to pump every 3 hours, you can still make a good milk supply by just pumping during your lunch break. In this case, your baby's care provider may have to give your baby some formula during the day.

You will need a cold place to store your milk. A refrigerator or small cooler will work. Some breast pumps come with a container and freezer bag that will keep the milk you pump cold during the time it takes you to get home from work. Be sure to label your milk with your name and the date you collected it, especially if you are storing it in a refrigerator that other workers also use. You need to store your milk safely in order to keep it safe for your baby.

Approved April 2024. This handout replaces “Breastfeeding and Working” published in Volume 58, Issue 6, November/December 2013.

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