How to manage breastfeeding when you return to work

You’ve spent months getting to know your baby and settling into a routine and before you know it, you’ve got to return to work. The end of maternity leave can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you’re not used to being separated from your baby. You may think you need to give up on breastfeeding, but this isn’t necessarily the case and plenty of mums continue to breastfeed even when they’re not at home. Continuing to breastfeed when you're with your baby can help with feeling connected to them - you can also leave milk for your baby when you are at work.

Breastmilk supply and demand

If you’re breastfeeding and want to continue, you’ll need to think about how you’ll maintain your milk supply. Your milk supply depends on a supply and demand system, so the more you breastfeed or pump, the more milk you make.

If you work from home, you may be able to breastfeed as often as you’d like to. If there is a workplace nursery or other childcare very close to your work, you may be able to visit your baby during the working day and breastfeed as normal. Another option is to ask your employer for flexible working hours arranged around your breastfeeding needs.

But if you work in an office or elsewhere, you’ll need to express milk while you are away from your baby, so your milk supply doesn’t drop. You’ll also need to be able to store and transport it safely, so your caregiver can give it to your baby while you’re away.

Laura, whose son is now 2, breastfed him in the mornings and evenings when she was at home. He was given formula at nursery, when she was in the office. "Doing combination feeding worked best for us," she says. "I was able to get back into my job knowing that he was happy and being fed."

Expressing milk

If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll typically need to express milk several times during an eight-hour shift. Exactly how often you express will depend on a few factors, including how easy you find it, the demands of your job, and how much breastmilk your baby normally has.

Speak to your boss

It’s usual for women to need to express milk at work, so talk to your employer about your needs. Speak to your manager about where you can express milk and when. Some workplaces might have a specific room, or a spare office with a locked door. It’s good practice for your employer to provide an appropriate space to do so - a toilet isn’t a suitable space.

You could discuss with your employer how they will support you in continuing to breastfeed. It’s also good to make sure your colleagues are aware that you’re breastfeeding or expressing at work so you have their support.

Having access to a quiet, private space to breastfeed or express your breastmilk at work is essential. It is preferable if the room has a lock or, if that’s not possible, put up a sign to keep others at bay. If there is no fridge at your workplace, then a cool bag with sufficient ice packs will ensure your breastmilk remains safe to be used.

Make sure you label and date expressed breast milk before putting it in the fridge or freezer so your childminder knows which one to use first.

Speak to your nursery

Discuss your baby’s feeding habits and share information on storing and using breastmilk with your nursery or childminder. Sorting out a plan before you go back to work will help put your mind at ease - and give you one less thing to worry about.

Practice expressing breastmilk

Learning to express breastmilk can take practice, so it’s best to start before you go back to work. Encourage family and friends to bottle-feed your baby expressed breast milk so they get used to being fed by other people, which may make it easier when you aren’t around.

You also need to work out the best expressing choice for you, whether it’s by hand, a manual, or electric breast pump. If you’re unsure, try several ways of doing it and think about the efficiency, cost and how portable the pump is.

Keep a supply of expressed milk at home

Not everyone is able to express breastmilk at work, but there are other options. If you’re not able to express at work you could build up a supply of expressed milk in the freezer before returning to work. Also you could express at other times of day or give your baby some formula until you are home.

Employers are legally required to provide a space for parents who are breastfeeding to lie down and rest if they need to. However, there is no legal right for your employer to provide breastfeeding breaks at work. Even so, your employer must still abide by health and safety, discrimination, and flexible working laws, which means they should ensure you don't feel unfairly treated because you're breastfeeding or expressing milk.

Yellow box

Here is a quick summary of what is legally reuired from your employer when you return to work and are breastfeeding. Before returning to work you should inform your employer in writing that you will need adjustments for breastfeeding.

Your legal rights

You have the right to a breastfeeding‑specific risk assessment once you tell your employer in writing.

• Your employer must make sure your work is safe for you to breastfeed.

• If risks can’t be removed, they must offer alternative duties or paid suspension.

What your employer must provide

• A private, clean room - not a toilet - where you can express milk.

• A safe, clean fridge to store expressed milk.

• A place to rest if you need it.

Protection from unfair treatment

• It’s illegal for your employer to treat you badly because you’re breastfeeding.

• They must not make negative comments or block reasonable adjustments.