Returning to Work in the Fall While Breastfeeding: Practical Tips

Returning to Work in the Fall While Breastfeeding: Practical Tips

The start of the school year in September is approaching. And with it comes a question on the minds of many breastfeeding moms: Will I be able to continue breastfeeding when I go back to work?

The answer is yes. It’s not always easy, and it takes some planning, but yes, it’s definitely possible. Thousands of moms breastfeed in the morning, pump at the office, and are reunited with their babies in the evening for feedings. And some continue this routine for several months.

The key is to plan ahead. Get organized before the big day so you don't find yourself overwhelmed right from the first week. We'll walk you through everything, step by step.

Before the restart: laying the groundwork

The success of breastfeeding after returning to work often depends on the weeks leading up to it. The more you plan ahead, the smoother the transition will be.

Introduce the breast pump gradually

If you don't have a breast pump yet, or if you don't use it very often, start getting used to it at least three to four weeks before you go back to work. Pump once a day, preferably in the morning after the first feeding—that's when your milk supply is at its highest.

This allows you to:

• Learn how to use your breast pump without stress.
• Build up a supply of milk in the freezer for the first few days.
• Get your body used to a regular workout routine.

Build up a supply of milk

Having a safety stock is reassuring for both you and the person watching your baby. The goal isn't to have dozens of liters in reserve—just enough to last a few days in case you have a tough day at the office or your milk supply drops slightly when you first go back to work.

Guidelines for Storing Breast Milk:

• At room temperature (less than 25°C): 4 hours maximum.
• In the refrigerator (4°C): up to 4 days.
• In the freezer: up to 6 months.

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

Getting Your Baby Used to the Bottle

If your baby has never taken a bottle, it’s best to introduce it gradually before you go back to work. Some babies flat-out refuse a bottle from their mom because they know full well that the breast is within reach. Ask your partner, your mother, or the nanny to give the first few bottles.

Start with one bottle a day, two to three weeks before you go back to work. Some babies take to it right away, while others are more resistant—so be patient and persistent.

Talking to Your Employer

In France, the law protects breastfeeding mothers who return to work. You are entitled to one hour per day to breastfeed or pump milk for one year after your baby is born (Article L1225-30 of the Labor Code). This hour is divided into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Talk to your employer or HR manager before you return to work. In the vast majority of cases, companies are able to accommodate this without any difficulty. Prepare a simple, specific request: where you can pump, at what time, and how you’ll organize your breaks.

Essential Items for Breastfeeding While Working

Having the right equipment makes all the difference. Here's what you need to comfortably pump breast milk at the office.

An electric double-pump breast pump is the key investment. Double pumping (both breasts at the same time) cuts the pumping time in half. A full session takes just 15 to 20 minutes. There are portable, discreet, and quiet models that are perfect for the office.

Be sure to have plenty of storage bags or bottles on hand . Single-use bags are convenient for transport; glass bottles are more environmentally friendly for storage in the office refrigerator.

A cooler bag with ice packs—a must-have for safely transporting your milk from the office to home, even in the fall.

Washable nursing pads: Leaks can be unpredictable, especially when you first start breastfeeding again and your body isn't used to the new routine yet. Be sure to have several pairs on hand.

A nursing top for the office—we 'll get back to that in a moment.

What to Wear to Work While Breastfeeding

It’s often the last thing on your mind, yet what you wear really makes a difference in your day-to-day life. Pumping at the office while wearing a regular sweater is complicated and uncomfortable. With the right nursing clothing, it’s easy and discreet.

What to Look for in an Office Outfit for a Breastfeeding Mom:

Discreet and quick access: a side zipper opening allows you to breastfeed without undressing, without lifting the entire top, and without exposing your stomach. Ideal for pumping sessions at the office, as well as for morning and evening feedings.

For a professional look, nursing attire shouldn't scream "I'm in maternity mode." It should blend naturally into an office wardrobe. An elegant knit nursing sweater or a nursing sweatshirt in neutral colors is perfect for the office.

All-day comfort —you'll be wearing this outfit for 8 to 9 hours. Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton jersey or modal are essential for staying comfortable.

The layering system, as we explained in our article on layering in winter, involves pairing a Breastfeeding t-shirt and a nursing sweater or hoodie on top is the most effective combination for the office in the fall.

Check out our selection of nursing clothes Perfect for the office as the new school year begins.

Organizing Your Drawing Sessions at the Office

This is often the part that causes the most concern. How can you practically go about pumping breast milk at the office without disrupting your work or bothering your coworkers?

Find a suitable location

Ideally, a closed, private space with an electrical outlet. In some companies, there is a dedicated room. In others, you’ll need to negotiate access to a meeting room, a private office, or even the restroom in extreme cases—even though that’s not ideal.

Don't hesitate to clearly ask your employer for a suitable workspace. You have the legal right to do so, and most companies are willing to accommodate you.

Planning Your Workouts

Generally, two pumping sessions per workday are enough to maintain your milk supply and produce enough milk for your baby the next day. Schedule them at regular intervals, such as mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Consistency is key: your body gets used to a schedule and adjusts its milk production accordingly. If you miss a feeding, you may experience discomfort or engorgement, and your milk supply may decrease slightly.

The timing of a drawing session at the office

• Get settled and get your materials ready: 2 minutes.
• Double-pump draw time: 15 to 20 minutes.
• Storing, labeling, and refrigerating: 3 minutes.

That's about 25 minutes per session. With two sessions a day, you'll spend about 50 minutes of your day on this, which easily fits within the legal limit of one hour.

Managing Stress and Declining Productivity

Returning to work is often stressful, and stress is the number one enemy of breastfeeding. Oxytocin, the hormone that triggers milk ejection, is directly inhibited by cortisol, the stress hormone.

Here are a few strategies to help you let go during drawing sessions:

• Look at photos or videos of your baby on your phone during the session.
• Bring along a piece of the baby's clothing or a comfort blanket—its scent stimulates the release of oxytocin.
• Get comfortable, put on your headphones, and listen to some soft music or a podcast.
• Take a few deep breaths before you begin.

If you notice a drop in milk supply in the first few weeks, don't panic. This is often temporary while your body adjusts to the new routine. Keep breastfeeding in the evening, at night, and on weekends to make up for the loss and boost your milk supply.

Organizing Baby Care Around Breastfeeding

The person who takes care of your baby while you're at work is your ally. She needs to understand how breastfeeding works and how to handle breast milk.

What you need to explain to him:

• How to thaw and warm breast milk (in a warm water bath—never in the microwave).
• Amounts appropriate for the baby's age (on average, 30 ml per hour you're away).
• How to recognize the signs that your baby is hungry so you don't feed them too early or too late.
• Ideally, don't give your baby a bottle in the hour before you return home, so that your baby will be hungry and latch on well when you get back.

Coming home is often an intense moment: the baby has been waiting all day and wants to nurse. Set aside some time for this “welcome-home” feeding—it’s good for the baby, good for your milk supply, and good for both of you.

Weekends and evenings: maintaining milk production

The days when you're not working are valuable for boosting and maintaining your milk supply. On the weekends, go back to feeding on demand as much as possible—let your baby nurse as often as he or she wants.

This is the principle behind "cluster feeding" on the weekend: your baby makes up for the time you're away during the week by nursing more on the days when you're available. It's normal—don't try to regulate it.

Nighttime feedings—if your baby still wants them—are also an excellent way to boost milk production. Prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production, is higher at night—each nighttime feeding helps maintain your milk supply for the next day.

What if things don't go as planned?

Sometimes, despite all efforts, returning to work marks the beginning of the end of breastfeeding. Milk supply drops too much, the baby refuses the bottle or, conversely, prefers the bottle to the breast, and work demands make pumping impossible.

If this is your situation: it’s not a failure. Every feeding counts, and every week of breastfeeding is a benefit for your baby. Whether you breastfeed for three months, six months, or a year, it’s a success no matter how it turns out.

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.

In Summary: The Back-to-School Action Plan for Breastfeeding Moms

Going back to work while breastfeeding is a matter of figuring out the logistics—it’s not an insurmountable challenge. With the right habits, the right gear, and the right outfits, you can definitely keep breastfeeding for many more months after you return to work.

Check out our collection of nursing clothes for the office— nursingT-shirts, sweaters, and hoodies designed for moms who don't want to give up on anything—neither their baby nor their career.