Going Back to School in September with a Breastfed Baby

Back to School in September with a Breastfed Baby: The Complete Guide to Preparing for Everything

September is here. And with it comes that mix of feelings that breastfeeding moms know all too well: the excitement of getting back to a slightly more structured routine, the pride of having breastfed all summer long, and that little knot in the stomach at the thought of having to reorganize everything.

Going back to work, leaving your baby at daycare or with a nanny, pumping milk at the office, managing morning and evening feedings, finding the right outfits… Going back to work with a breastfed baby takes some preparation. And the more you plan ahead, the smoother the transition will be for both you and your baby.

This guide brings together everything you need to know to start September with peace of mind, without leaving anything to chance.

First and foremost: Can we really keep breastfeeding after school starts?

Yes. And it's important to make that clear, because many mothers think that going back to work automatically means the end of breastfeeding. That's not true.

Thousands of moms breastfeed in the morning before leaving for work, pump milk at the office, and reunite with their babies in the evening for feedings. Some continue this routine for months. It’s not always easy, but it’s entirely possible as long as you plan ahead.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age and mixed feeding until 2 years of age and beyond. The start of the school year in September is not a medical reason to stop. It’s a logistical challenge that can be overcome, and we’ll explain exactly how.

Step 1 — Lay the Groundwork Before the School Year Begins

The success of breastfeeding after the start of the school year depends on what you do in the weeks leading up to it. Here’s what you need to do before the big day.

Introduce the breast pump gradually

If you use your breast pump infrequently or not at all, start getting used to it at least three to four weeks before returning to work. Pump once a day, preferably in the morning right after the first feeding—that’s when your milk supply is at its highest.

This allows you to get comfortable with the machine without any stress, build up your supply gradually, and get your body used to a regular workout at a set time.

Build up a supply of milk

Having a safety stock in the freezer gives you peace of mind for the first few weeks back at school. The goal isn't to have dozens of liters—just enough to cover two or three days in case your milk supply drops slightly when you first return to school or if you miss a pumping session.

Guidelines for Storing Breast Milk:

Location of preservation	Maximum duration
Room temperature (less than 25°C)	4 hours
Refrigerator (4°C)	4 days
Freezer (-18°C)	6 months

Label each bag or bottle with the date and quantity. Always use the oldest milk first—first in, first out.

Getting Your Baby Used to the Bottle

If your baby has never taken a bottle, introduce it gradually at least three weeks before the first day of school. It’s often easier when someone other than you gives it to the baby—your partner, a grandparent, or the future nanny—because the baby knows very well that the breast is available whenever you’re there.

Start with one bottle of breast milk a day. Some babies take to it right away, while others are reluctant. If your baby refuses, try different nipples (slow flow, different shapes), different milk temperatures, or different positions. Patience is key.

Meet with the childcare provider before the start of the school year

Whether it’s a daycare center or a child care provider, take the time to pay a preparatory visit before the first day. This is the time to explain how breastfeeding works, show how to warm up breast milk, and ask any logistical questions without feeling rushed.

Step 2 — Know Your Legal Rights

This is often the least well-known aspect, and yet it makes all the difference. In France, the law protects breastfeeding mothers who return to work.

The Right to a Breastfeeding Break

According to Article L1225-30 of the Labor Code, any female employee who is breastfeeding is entitled to one hour per day to breastfeed or pump milk for one year after the baby’s birth. This hour is divided into two 30-minute periods—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Under certain collective bargaining agreements, this hour is not deductible from your pay. Check with your HR department or your union to find out what rules apply at your company.

The Right to an Accessible Space

In companies with more than 100 employees, the employer is required to provide a dedicated breastfeeding room. In smaller workplaces, there is no legal requirement, but you can negotiate access to a private meeting room or an available office.

What You Can Specifically Ask For

Before returning to work, schedule a meeting with your HR representative or manager to arrange the location and schedule for your pumping sessions, access to a refrigerator to store your milk, and your breaks so they align with your pumping sessions.

In the vast majority of cases, employers have no trouble accommodating such requests. A simple, specific, and well-in-advance request is always better received than a last-minute one.

Step 3 — Organize Your Drawing Sessions at the Office

This is often the part that causes the most concern. How can you fit into a workday without disrupting your schedule or your coworkers?

How many sessions per day?

Generally, two pumping sessions per 8-hour workday are enough to maintain lactation and produce enough milk for your baby the next day. Schedule them at regular intervals—for example, mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Consistency is key: your body gets used to a schedule and adjusts its milk supply accordingly. Missing a feeding once in a while won't affect your milk supply, but missing feedings on a regular basis can gradually reduce your milk supply.

How long does a session last?

With a double electric breast pump, setup and preparation take about 2 minutes, pumping takes between 15 and 20 minutes, and storing, labeling, and refrigerating the milk takes about 3 minutes. That comes to about 25 minutes per session. Two sessions total 50 minutes, which is well within the legal time limit.

Encouraging relaxation during sessions

Stress is the enemy of lactation. Oxytocin, the hormone that triggers milk ejection, is directly inhibited by cortisol. At the office, here are a few tips to help you relax: look at photos or videos of your baby on your phone, bring a piece of the baby’s clothing or a stuffed animal whose scent stimulates oxytocin, put on your headphones and listen to soft music, or take a few deep breaths before you start.

Step 4 — Brief the person watching the baby

The nanny or daycare staff are your allies. The more informed they are, the better your baby will be cared for while you're away.

Storing and Preparing Milk

Thaw the milk in the refrigerator the night before or under a slow stream of lukewarm water. Warm it in a lukewarm water bath—never in the microwave, which destroys antibodies and creates dangerous hot spots. Thawed milk should never be refrozen and can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Quantities

On average, a breastfed baby consumes 30 ml of milk for every hour you’re away. For a 9-hour day, plan on about 270 ml divided among several bottles. These figures vary depending on the baby’s age and appetite and will adjust over time.

Feeding Schedule

Ideally, ask the nanny not to give the baby a bottle within an hour of your return. The baby needs to be hungry to latch on when you get back—this “reunion feeding” is essential for maintaining your milk supply and strengthening your bond.

Signs That Your Baby Is Hungry

Teach the nanny to recognize the early signs of hunger—such as the baby turning its head, sucking on its fists, or getting restless—rather than waiting until the baby cries, which is a more advanced stage of hunger when the baby may have trouble latching on properly afterward.

Step 5 — Schedule feedings around your workday

A typical day for a working, breastfeeding mother revolves around a few key feedings.

The morning feeding before you leave is the most important one of the day. It allows your baby to feed and bond with you before you part ways, and it stimulates your milk supply for the day. Set aside time for it—don’t rush it.

Pumping sessions at the office—two a day, as we've seen—allow you to produce the milk that your baby will receive the next day.

The first feeding after you get home is often the most intense—your baby has been waiting for you and needs you. Set aside some quiet time when you get home, without screens or distractions, just the two of you. It’s a precious moment for breastfeeding and for bonding.

Evening and nighttime feedings should be continued as much as possible. Prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production, is higher at night; each nighttime feeding helps maintain your milk supply for the following day.

On the weekend, go back to feeding on demand. Babies often nurse more frequently on days when you're available—this is normal and can even help boost your milk supply.

Step 6 — Choosing the Right Outfits for the Start of the School Year

Wearing nursing clothes at the office is a small detail that really makes a difference in your daily life. Pumping while wearing a regular sweater is complicated and uncomfortable. With the right nursing clothes, pumping becomes smooth and natural.

What to Look for in a Nursing Office Outfit

Quick and discreet access to the breast is the priority. The side zipper opening allows you to access the breast without undressing, without lifting the entire top, and without exposing your stomach or back. Ideal for pumping sessions as well as for morning and evening feedings.

A professional look is just as important—breastfeeding clothing should blend naturally into an office wardrobe. A nursing sweater made of knit elegant or a nursing sweatshirt In neutral colors, it fits right in at the office without compromising its function.

Comfort is essential during a long day, so soft, breathable fabrics like cotton jersey or modal are the best choice.

The outfit that works best at the office

Layering is the most effective technique for the office in the fall. A base layer—a Breastfeeding t-shirt lightweight cotton top with a side zipper covers the stomach and back during pumping sessions. An outer layer—anursing sweater made of knit or a nursing sweatshirt with a seamless opening—creates a polished look with easy access.

Check out our entire selection of nursing clothes Designed for moms returning to work.

Step 7 — Dealing with the Emotional Side of the New School Year

There's a lot of talk about logistics, and that's necessary. But going back to school with a breastfed baby is also an emotional challenge that shouldn't be downplayed.

Guilt

Many moms feel intense guilt when leaving their baby for the first time. This is normal—it's only human—and it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. Continuing to breastfeed after returning to work is often a way to maintain that strong bond despite being apart during the day.

Tears (yours and the baby's)

The first day at daycare is often harder for the mom than for the baby. Babies adapt remarkably well, especially when they’re welcomed into a caring environment. Allow yourself to feel this emotion without judging yourself.

Accumulated fatigue

Going back to work while breastfeeding is challenging. You have to juggle your job, pumping sessions, evening feedings, and sometimes nighttime feedings. Ask for help from those around you, delegate whatever you can at home, and accept that you won’t be able to do everything perfectly.

What if things don't go as planned?

Sometimes, despite all efforts, the start of the school year marks the beginning of a transition toward weaning. Milk supply decreases, the baby prefers the bottle, and work demands make pumping impossible.

If that's the case for you, remember that every feeding counts. Breastfeeding for three months, six months, or a year is a success, no matter how it ends. There's no such thing as failure when it comes to breastfeeding—only different journeys.

If you want to wean gradually, do so gently by reducing one pumping session or feeding at a time over the course of several weeks. Your body will adjust, and you'll avoid painful engorgement.

Going back to school in September with a breastfed baby is a matter of figuring out how to manage it—it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right habits, the right gear, and the right outfits, you can keep breastfeeding for many more months after September.

Check out our collection of nursing clothes for the start of the school year T-shirts, sweaters and nursing sweatshirts Designed for moms who don't want to give up anything—neither their babies nor their careers.