{"id":111664,"date":"2020-08-22T12:51:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T16:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111664\/continuing-to-breastfeed-when-going-back-to-work-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T12:50:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T17:50:16","slug":"continue-to-breastfeed-when-going-back-to-work-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111664\/continue-to-breastfeed-when-going-back-to-work-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Continuing to breastfeed when\u00a0going back to work"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your family is formula-feeding, the transition back to work can be pretty straightforward and Baby<\/span>\u2019s feedings can continue on much like before. But if you’ve been breastfeeding, there\u2019s a little more that you\u2019ll need to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re breastfeeding and happen to work close to where Baby<\/span> will be cared for \u2014 whether at home or at daycare \u2014 or enjoy the benefit of in-house daycare where you work, you might find it relatively straightforward to keep up with regular nursing sessions. You might just need to zoom back home or to the daycare a few times a day for additional feeding. But for most breastfeeding moms, this isn\u2019t an option \u2014 and so returning to work will mean pumping and expressing breast milk at work. This does mean that there\u2019s one more thing on your \u201cback to work\u201d plate, but there\u2019s a lot you can do to ensure a successful transition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a \u201cpump at work\u201d plan <\/strong><\/h4>\n

A few things that will set you up for success include working out the details of pumping \u2014 including exactly where you will pump \u2014 with your employer prior to your return. Will you use a dedicated lactation room? A temporary pumping space? And will you have access to an electrical outlet or a fridge? <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to set a schedule for when you\u2019ll pump so that all of your coworkers understand that you\u2019ll be unavailable when taking breaks to do so. This will help to set up clear expectations in advance of your return, which is helpful for everyone involved. Having this sort of info will allow you to know just what sort of pumping equipment and accessories you\u2019ll need to bring and even what you may want to wear to make pumping at work as easy and comfortable as possible. And do make sure that you get familiar with all of your pumping equipment beforehand \u2014 you\u2019ll want to practice with it so that you\u2019re comfortable using it all. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pump often!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Something else to keep in mind when returning is that you\u2019ll want to make sure that you\u2019re able to pump often enough at work to keep up your milk supply and meet Baby<\/span>\u2019s feeding needs. When you first return, you\u2019ll essentially want to be pumping just about as regularly as they would be nursing if you were home \u2014 so every few hours. Obviously, your little one\u2019s needs will change over time, as will your milk supply, so eventually you may pump a bit less at work. But initially, if you\u2019re pumping less than Baby<\/span> would feed at home, your milk supply could decrease. And if you go too long between expressing milk \u2014 say, by skipping a pumping session at work \u2014 you may suffer from breast engorgement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many moms find it helpful to nurse their little ones right before leaving for work and right after returning home to help keep up their milk supply, especially if you\u2019d rather pump a bit less while at work \u2014 or if you <\/span>have<\/span><\/em> to pump a little less than would be ideal based on your job responsibilities or what your lactation space is like. <\/span><\/p>\n

But just how much expressed milk will Baby<\/span> need?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If Baby<\/span> has been feeding on demand, you may have a good sense of just how often they\u2019ll likely feed during the day when you\u2019re apart, but they may also adjust their feeding a bit once you don\u2019t spend all day with them. Moms who haven\u2019t been pumping and feeding from a bottle already may also be not quite sure of just how much their little ones will eat in terms of ounces and bottles. It can help your peace of mind to have some extra breast milk stored at home before you return to work. And remember that detail about getting comfortable with pumping before returning to work? It can be helpful to pump a bit between feedings before you return to work not only to get familiar with the pumping process, but also to build up extra stored milk.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can store breast milk in the fridge for 3-8 days \u2014 and in a standard freezer for up to 6 months \u2014 so even with just a small dedicated space in your fridge and freezer, you can still stock up! If you have a small supply at home for Baby<\/span> before you go back, you\u2019ll feel good knowing that they\u2019ll have the milk they need. But don\u2019t feel pressure to have a freezer full of milk to get started. Most working moms might start with 2-3 days worth of milk when they first return to work and will then replenish that supply with pumped milk from their workday. <\/span><\/p>\n

Call in backup if necessary<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some moms also decide that while they would like to continue to breastfeed and pump, they would also like to supplement that breast milk with formula. Just remember that if you do want to keep up your milk supply, you should continue to breastfeed and pump consistently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning to work is a major transition, but there are ways to continue breastfeeding and make the transition a successful one. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
Breastfeeding Bootcamp videos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/h5>\n\n\n\n