Article: Breastfeeding and returning to work: A practical guide for working moms!

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Photograph of a mother carrying her child, wearing a 23 Mai Paris nursing shirt.

Apr. 2, 2025

Breastfeeding and returning to work: A practical guide for working moms!

Returning to work after maternity leave is an important step for young mothers, and many want to continue breastfeeding while taking on their professional responsibilities. Here's some practical advice on how to reconcile breastfeeding and returning to work with peace of mind.

Anticipating and organizing the transition between breastfeeding and returning to work

Preparing baby and childcare

A few weeks before you go back to work, gradually get your baby used to taking milk other than at the breast (bottle, sippy cup, spoon). Try this out with your baby-sitter to ensure a smooth transition.

Create a milk reserve

If you wish to express your milk, start building up a small reserve about 2 to 3 weeks before you wish to resume. Freeze the portions in suitable bags, indicating the date for easy management.

Organize the return to work and breastfeeding... or the extraction of milk

Pumping milk at work

In France, breast-feeding mothers are entitled by law to a one-hour daily breast-feeding break until their child is 12 months old. Find out about the conditions at your workplace, and find a quiet place to express your milk.

Choosing the right equipment

A good breast pump is essential! Choose an efficient, portable electric model. You'll also need airtight containers for storing milk, and an insulated bag for transport.

Photograph of a woman wearing a 23 Mai Paris nursing shirt.

Adapting breastfeeding to the return to work

Breastfeeding on demand outside working hours

Mornings, evenings, nights and weekends, continue to breastfeed your baby whenever you're together. This helps maintain lactation and preserve that unique bond.

Managing a possible drop in lactation

If you notice a drop in your milk production, drink plenty of water, rest as soon as possible and encourage galactogenic foods (fennel, almonds, brewer's yeast...).

Listening and adapting: breastfeeding after returning to work is a personal choice

Every mother and baby is different. Some moms will continue exclusive breastfeeding, others will alternate with infant milk. There are no hard and fast rules: the most important thing is to find a balance that suits you.

It's perfectly possible to continue breastfeeding after maternity leave, with a little forethought and good organization. It's important to listen to yourself and adapt to your own rhythm and that of your baby.

And you, do you have any tips to share for breastfeeding after returning to work? 💛

We've got one more, just for you: wearing nursing clothes ! Made from comfortable, stretchy fabrics, they adapt to your body shape, and feature discreet openings for easy access to your breasts, whether you're breastfeeding or pumping.

23 Mai Paris offers a range of nursing garments perfectly suited to professional environments, in particular our nursing shirtsthat will blend into your wardrobe as if they had always been part of it!

If you are breastfeeding, here are some of our nursing clothes that may interest you:

If you are only a pregnant mom, here are our maternity clothes:

Black maternity jeans
Gray maternity jeans
Colored maternity jeans
Blue maternity jeans
Cheap maternity jeans
Comfortable maternity jeans
Maternity jeans
Colored maternity jeans
Black maternity jeans
Gray maternity jeans
Blue maternity jeans
Cheap maternity jeans
Comfortable maternity jeans
Maternity pants
Black maternity pants
Gray maternity pants
Colored maternity pants
Blue maternity pants
Jeans for pregnant women
Gray maternity jeans
Blue maternity jeans
Black jeans for pregnant women
Cheap jeans for pregnant women
Comfortable maternity jeans

Written by Eléonore de Ganay

1 comment

Very good guide on this subject, which isn't the easiest to tackle. I've also written a complementary article which I'd like to share (https://www.ton-accompagnante-perinatale.com/tirer-son-lait/) and I'd like to reference some of your products in it if possible.

Lise

May 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM