Returning To Work While Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Preparation

Returning to work as a breastfeeding parent after MAT leave can be overwhelming, but it is helpful to break it down into manageable steps you can do throughout pregnancy and postpartum. During pregnancy, the last thing you are probably thinking about is your return to work but with so many parents having to return to work much earlier than is ideal (thanks to our country's abysmal parental leave protection), it is important to consider how to meet your breastfeeding goals during this time.

1️⃣ The first step is to ask yourself: how long do I hope to breastfeed? Do I want to exclusively breastfeed, or am I interested in combination feeding with formula? Combination feeding can be a great option for parents who would like flexibility and not to have to rely on their pump so often at work, but it can lead to a reduced supply and does not have the same health benefits for parent and baby as exclusive breastfeeding. Identifying your goals is an important first step.
2️⃣ Request a meeting with your employer to understand company policies around breastfeeding. Prior to this meeting, know your legal rights as a breastfeeding parent! In the U.S., all employers are required to provide a private place (other than a bathroom) and break time for nursing parents. This website is helpful for more information on your state's laws: https://www.ncsl.org/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.
3️⃣ Tour the pumping room and milk storage space at work. Are you comfortable storing your milk in the staff fridge, or would you prefer to bring your own mini cooler instead? Is it possible to request a small fridge in the pumping room so you can store your milk there?
4️⃣ Get a pump through your insurance, WIC, Buy Nothing groups, etc. Closed system pumps (ex. Spectra S1) are safe to reuse as long as pump accessories are purchased new.

Two Weeks Before

1️⃣ The best time to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby is 4-6 weeks postpartum, once breastfeeding has been established. Every baby will prefer a different bottle, but it is ideal to choose a bottle that is slow flow and has a gradual, tapered nipple that encourages a wide gape. Use responsive bottle feeding to simulate feeding at the breast. Aim to practice with a bottle at least 1x a day, ideally with someone other than the breastfeeding parent.
2️⃣ If you haven't started pumping, now would be a good time to get familiar with your pump and ensure that everything is working properly. The best time to pump is in the morning after baby feeds because your supply is likely to be highest.
3️⃣ Set up a time to speak with your childcare provider about your breastfeeding goals and ensure that they use proper milk storage and incorporate responsive feeding feeding when offer a bottle. Most reputable daycare providers should be familiar with these practices, but you may need to provide some education if baby will be staying with grandparents or someone else.
4️⃣ It is ideal to have 3-5 days worth of milk stored in the freezer (about 9-15 bottles of 3-5 oz, depending how many hours you will be gone) by the time you return back to work, but at the very least you just need milk for the first day! There is no need to have a massive freezer stash like you might see on Instagram, but a small stash can be helpful as insurance just in case.

One Day Before

Well, you made it to the day before you return to work! At this point you are probably feeling a lot of nerves about navigating the new schedule and leaving your little one. It is normal to feel a LOT of emotions when returning to work. It is a huge transition and it is okay to feel sad, scared, and stressed. Over time you will get back in your groove and it will feel normal! Here are some tips for the day before to ease your transition:

1️⃣ At the minimum, you need to have enough milk stored for the first day back at work. If you are working a typical 9-5, this will likely be around 3 4-6oz bottles. If they have been frozen, this is a good time to thaw them in the fridge (note: thawed milk should only be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hrs, so keep in mind the timing).
2️⃣ Pack your pumping bag - here are some supplies I recommend:
Change of clothes 👚
Disinfectant wipes 🧼
Pump 🍼
Pump parts + 1 extra set 🍼
Bottles 🍼
Pumping bra 👙
Cooler and ice pack ❄️
Plenty of snacks and water 🍌
3️⃣ Lastly, take some time to take some deep breaths and cuddle your baby! If you haven't done skin to skin in a while, this could be a good opportunity to use the power of oxytocin to relax and regulate with your little one. ❤️

I hope that this series was helpful! I would love to know if you have any must know tips for breastfeeding parents returning to work.

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