How to Continue Breastfeeding When You Return to Work

Jan 6

By: Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links in which we may earn a compensation. However, this does not influence our opinions or recommendations.

Your maternity leave is coming to an end and you are uncertain what going back to work and breastfeeding will look like. Know that most women have the right to pump at work because they are protected under the PUMP Act (1). Read on for more details and for tips on maintaining a pumping schedule and how to care for your pump and expressed milk at and after work.

Your Rights

Under the PUMP Act, most employees are guaranteed by law to have a break for pumping (1). This includes salaried employees and teachers who were previously excluded from laws protecting pump breaks for women. Unfortunately, some airline, railroad, and motorcoach employees are still not covered under this act. This pumping break should be a “reasonable amount of time” and is allowed to happen as often as you need until your child is one year old. You should also be given access to a private place that is not a bathroom where you can pump. This pumping space should be protected from intrusion from other people and should be shielded from the view of others. In order to maintain your breast milk supply while you are away from your baby, you should pump as often as your baby eats. This frequency will vary depending on your baby’s age and will likely fluctuate over time.

You should discuss with your employer your need to pump as early as possible. Discuss where you will pump, how pumping can fit into your work schedule, where you will store your milk, and where you can clean your pump parts (2). Make sure your employer is aware it may take up to 30 minutes for you to pump, clean up, store your milk, and return to your workspace.

How to Pump

Once you have developed a pumping schedule that is similar to your baby’s eating schedule, you should try to stick to it as closely as possible. You should pump each breast for 15-20 minutes. Using a double electric pump can make this process go quicker. Using a pumping bra can also allow you to be hands-free, so you are able to do other things while you pump, if needed. If you find you are producing much more than you need when pumping this long, try decreasing your pumping sessions to 10-12 minutes. While you pump it can be beneficial to watch videos or look at pictures of your baby to help the milk-making hormones flow. Even though it can be difficult to do, try not to focus on how much milk you are getting. It can be helpful to cover up the bottles while you are pumping, so you are not watching the output.

After Pumping

You should wash your pump parts in a clean basin and with a dedicated bottle brush and leave them to air dry after each use. Do not wash pump parts or bottles directly in the sink. If you do not have enough time or a space to clean your pump parts after each use, you could purchase enough sets of parts for the number of times you pump at work and then take them all home and wash them at the end of the day. You could also rinse your pump parts in water and sterilize them in a microwave steam bag, if you have access to a microwave. The CDC does not recommend storing pump parts in the fridge between uses.

Before you store your breast milk, make sure to clearly label containers with your name and the date the milk was pumped. You can store your milk in a refrigerator or an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs once you are done pumping. Milk is a food product and can be stored in any fridge that is safe for food. Milk is good for up to four days in the fridge and for 24 hours in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs, as long as the ice packs stay frozen. Upon returning home, make sure to quickly use the expressed milk, refrigerate it, or freeze it, so it does not go to waste.

Traveling with Breast Milk

If you need to travel for work, you are allowed to fly with fresh or frozen breast milk, since it is considered a medically necessary liquid. Even though you are limited to the amount of liquids you can bring in your carry-on luggage, any amount of milk is allowed (3). You are also allowed to take ice packs or frozen gel packs, regardless of the presence of milk. Be sure to inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying greater than 3.4 fluid ounces of breast milk. You will need to remove the milk from your bag to be screened separately. TSA officers may need to test the milk for explosives or other banned items. Even if milk is tested separately, nothing will be inserted into the milk. Remember that milk is good for 24 hours in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs, but the sooner you can use, refrigerate, or freeze it the better.

If you need help creating a pumping schedule that works for you or need help boosting your milk supply, schedule an appointment today!

Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC is the lactation consultant Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition in Cary, NC. Natalie specializes in empowering lactating parents during their breastfeeding journey, while helping to minimize any breastfeeding difficulties. Schedule an appointment today.