If you plan to continue breastfeeding when you return to work or school, you can express or pump your breast milk. Your breasts will continue to produce enough breast milk as long as you breastfeed, express or pump often.
Any amount of breast milk is good for your baby. When you and your baby are together, you can breastfeed as much as you like. Breastfeeding your baby when you arrive home from work or school is a great way to bond.
10 tips to help you breastfeed and return to work or school
- Discuss your plans with your employer. The Ontario Human Rights Commission states that employers are required to accommodate women who are breastfeeding.
- Practice expressing or pumping your breast milk before returning to work or school.
- Choose a caregiver who shares your beliefs about breastfeeding. Expressed or pumped breast milk may be given to your baby in a small cup when you are away from home.
- Find a quiet place to express your breast milk or breastfeed your baby while at work or at school.
- Begin to store breast milk before returning to work or school. The number of times you will need to pump or express your breast milk while you are away from home will depend on the length of time you’re away.
- Wear clothes with patterns to help to hide leaks.
- Don’t worry about changes in breast milk supply; changes are normal from day to day.
- Pump both breasts at the same time to decrease your pumping time.
- Store expressed breast milk in a refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs.
- Talk to other women who have combined work and breastfeeding to find out what worked for them.
Continuing to breastfeed when you return to work or school has many benefits for you and your baby. At any time, if you’re having difficulty breastfeeding, contact your health care provider or visit a breastfeeding clinic.
