Happy World Breastfeeding Week 2023! 🥳 As we celebrate this global initiative that promotes and supports breastfeeding, we acknowledge the importance of creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment for all mums, including those returning to work. This week is all about empowering mothers to embrace the journey of breastfeeding while navigating the demands of their work lives.
Congratulations, mumma! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey of balancing work and breastfeeding. Returning to work after maternity leave is a significant transition, and as a breastfeeding mum, you might be wondering, “should I breastfeed after returning to work or study?” or “how do I breastfeed when returning to work?”. It’s natural to have questions and concerns, but don’t worry! In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the reasons to keep breastfeeding when you go back to work, the various breastfeeding options when returning to work, your rights at work (in Australia), and practical tips for creating a return-to-work plan that ensures a seamless breastfeeding experience.
Why Keep Breastfeeding When Returning to Work
Breastfeeding is more than just providing nutrition; it’s a special bonding experience between you and your baby. It can also help you reconnect with your baby when you’ve been away from them. The emotional and physical benefits extend beyond babyhood, promoting the best possible health and development for your baby. Continuing to breastfeed after returning to work allows you to maintain this bond while providing your baby with the best start in life.
The big positives for your baby:
- Breastfed babies have less chance of getting gastrointestinal, respiratory and ear infections compared to formula fed babies or toddlers no longer breastfeeding.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to need to go to hospital because of the above illnesses.
- Breastmilk contains lots of anti-infective factors that can help strengthen your baby’s immune system and protect them from the dreaded daycare sicknesses.
The big positives for you:
- Less time and stress having to look after a sick baby.
- Less doctor visits.
- Less time off work caring for your sick baby.
If you decrease the amount of breastfeeds your baby gets or stop breastfeeding altogether before your baby is 12 months old, you’ll need to replace those breastfeeds with donor breastmilk or formula feeds. This is an extra expense to think about when you’re making your plans.
Your Breastfeeding Rights at Work (in Australia)
It’s important to understand your rights in your workplace as a breastfeeding mum so you can advocate for you and your baby. The Fair Work Act protects you from discrimination and mandates flexible work arrangements to accommodate breastfeeding needs.
It’s against the law for your employer to refuse to make arrangements to help you continue breastfeeding when you return to work as long as your requests are reasonable. You may be experiencing discrimination if your employer:
- refuses to provide you with suitable facilities for pumping.
- doesn’t allow you to be flexible with your work breaks to make breastfeeding or pumping possible.
- demands you work only certain shifts that make breastfeeding difficult when there are other shifts available that would allow you to keep breastfeeding.
- Insists that you wean your baby and stop breastfeeding before returning to work.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) has a great factsheet about your rights at work here.
Your Breastfeeding Options When Returning to Work
So, how do I keep breastfeeding when I go back to work? There are lots of different possibilities. As with many things breastfeeding related, what works for one mum and baby might not work for another. Choose what suits you and your baby best.
Option 1: Pumping at work
Invest in a high-quality breast pump and familiarise yourself with expressing breast milk before you go back to work. Also look into the breastfeeding practices and policies at your workplace. Some companies offer designated lactation rooms for pumping mums which is amazing and should be considered by more organisations.
You’ll need:
- a private room to pump in
- a comfortable chair
- access to a fridge where you can store your pumped milk
- a safe place to keep your pump and equipment
- a cooler bag with ice bricks for transporting your pumped milk between work and home.
- time during your workday to pump
Option 2: Breastfeed your baby at work
If a caregiver can bring your baby to you, consider breastfeeding your baby at work during your breaks. This works best if your workplace is close to where your baby is being cared for,
Option 3: Going to your baby to breastfeed
If your workplace is close to your baby’s daycare or you have onsite childcare, you can breastfeed your baby during your breaks instead of pumping.
Option 4: Combining breastfeeding with other feeding options
Combining breastfeeding with offering pumped milk, solid foods, or water when appropriate for baby’s age can work well for both you and your baby. For babies older than 12 months, you can not worry about replacing feeds while you’re away and go back to your usual breastfeeding pattern when you’re together again, or you can offer some cow’s milk in a cup if you want to.
For babies younger than 9-12 months, the feeds your baby would usually have while you’re away from them will need to be replaced with pumped milk, donor breastmilk or formula. It’s completely possible to have your baby’s carer give these replacement feeds while you’re at work and then go back to your normal breastfeeding pattern when you’re together again.
While it’s ideal for your baby to have only breastmilk (and solid food if they’re 6 months or older), you might decide that you’ll give formula while you’re away from bub. This doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding altogether if you don’t want to. Remember, breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Any breastmilk your baby gets is amazing for them in so many ways.
The Essentials of Combining Breastfeeding and Work
You’ll need:
A private and comfortable space
Advocate for a clean, private, and comfortable space to express breast milk without interruptions (and is not in a toilet!). A quiet and relaxing environment can help your milk flow more easily, especially when you’re away from your baby.
Time during your workday to breastfeed or pump
Communicate your breastfeeding schedule with your employer to make sure you have enough time for pumping or breastfeeding during the workday.
A supportive workplace culture
Open communication and education about breastfeeding among colleagues and employers can create a supportive workplace culture that helps and encourages mums to continue breastfeeding their babies when they return to work. The ABA has great resources to help workplaces become more supportive of breastfeeding in their Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces program. You might like to pass this info onto your employer so they can support you as much as possible.
Do I Need to Pump a Milk Stash?
The photos all over socials of freezers filled to the brim with frozen breastmilk might make you panic that you don’t have enough when you’re coming up to your return to work. While having a milk stash in your freezer can feel reassuring, it’s not necessary for all breastfeeding mums. Focus on pumping enough milk for your baby’s immediate needs (this will usually be just the next day) and consider gradually building a stash only if it works for you.
Help! My Baby Won’t Take a Bottle
Some babies just don’t love having their milk in a bottle instead of your warm cozy cuddles when they’re feeding at the breast. You can try introducing the bottle gently, trying different types of teats, and having someone else offer the bottle when you’re not present. Be patient; it may take time for your baby to adjust. If your baby flat our refuses the bottle, giving your baby milk in a bottle isn’t your only option. You can use a sippy cup or an open cup instead. This blog post goes into more detail about what to do when your baby won’t take a bottle.
Will My Supply Drop If I Don’t Pump at Work?
Lots of breastfeeding mums worry that their milk supply might decrease if they don’t pump at work. This really depends on your baby’s age and how much milk you’re making before you go back to work. The good news is that every mother’s body is unique, and supply regulation is often quite adaptable.
When baby’s still very young
If your baby’s quite young (under 9 months) your baby still breastfeeds every few hours (remember every baby is different with this!), your baby will miss a few feeds if you work a full day. If you work full time and choose not to pump at work, your supply probably will drop. If you only work 1-3 days per week, you might find your supply dips a little but picks back up again when you breastfeed your baby as normal when you’re with them for the rest of the week. Remember, even if you don’t pump at work, your baby will still need pumped milk, donor milk or formula while you’re apart.
If your baby’s a bit older
If your baby is older than 9 months, you can be a lot more flexible! Your supply may dip and rise but will adjust to what your baby needs when feed according to your baby’s need when you’re together. By 12 months of age, your baby should be eating a variety of solid foods and your baby might be able to have food and water while you’re away and breastfeed as normal when you’re together again.
However, these are very general guidelines, and every mum is different when it comes to their milk supply. If you notice any decrease in supply, consider adjusting your breastfeeding routine or expressing schedule. Adding an extra pumping session during your workday or offering breastfeeds more often at home can help maintain milk production. If you’re worried about your supply drop, get in touch with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help you work out a plan that works for you and your baby.
Blocked ducts and mastitis
The other thing to consider if you choose not to pump while at work is that your breasts will probably get very full and maybe even uncomfortable. This can put you at risk of developing blocked ducts and mastitis. You can read about how to treat blocked ducts and mastitis here.
You might find that you need to pump a little when you first start back at work, even if it’s just a small amount so that you don’t feel full and sore. Over time your breasts will adjust, and you might be able to get away with not pumping at not have any issues.
Making a Return-to-Work Plan
It’s best to start making a return to work plan really early on, like before you go on maternity leave if possible, but definitely well before you will be going back to work. There are a few things to think about:
- Discuss Your Needs and Plans: Initiate a conversation with your employer in advance to discuss your breastfeeding needs and create a tailored return-to-work plan.
- Test the Breastfeeding Routine: Before your first day back, practice your breastfeeding routine, expressing, and bottle-feeding if applicable.
- Communicate with Caregivers: Maintain open communication with your baby’s caregivers about feeding preferences and routines.
- Be Flexible and Patient: Remember, transitions take time. Be patient with yourself and your baby as you adjust to this new phase.
The ABA has fantastic information on creating return to work plans here.
As you celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2023 and return to work while breastfeeding, remember that you’re a superhero, balancing the demands of both motherhood and your work life. It’s not always easy, but armed with all this knowledge, as well as support, and preparation, you can navigate this journey with confidence. Embrace the opportunity to continue breastfeeding while pursuing your career, knowing that you are providing your baby with the best nourishment and love possible. Trust yourself and enjoy this new phase of your breastfeeding journey!
If you found this helpful, pop on over to instagram and let me know. I’d love to know what you took away from all this info!
If you have questions or concerns, you might like to get in touch with an IBCLC to help you to work out what’s going on and develop a plan that suits your individual situation. You can book a home visit or online consultation with me below.
References:
Returning to work – your breastfeeding options: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/returning-work-options
Your breastfeeding and work plan: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/breastfeeding-and-work-plan
Pumping at work – what do I need?: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/pumping-work
Returning to work? Why keep breastfeeding? https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/returning-work-why-breastfeed
How your workplace can support you: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/how-your-workplace-can-support-you
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