Going back to work after having a baby is never going to be easy, but it’s much harder if you’re trying to transition while also still breastfeeding on demand. The demands of breastfeeding can add a bigger challenge when you’re going back to work because you need to try and balance potentially pumping and leaving milk or using your time at work to be able to do so.
It’s easier if you’re working from home, of course, because you can continue to breastfeed or at least continue to pump in the comfort of your own home, but there are things that you can do to ease that transition between working and feeding. Let’s take a look at our tips below.
Going Back to Work While Breastfeeding
Get Equipped
If you’re heading out to an office, then you’re going to need equipment to help you continue to produce milk. This means taking a look at a double electric breast pump or looking at a singular breast pump such as the Haakaa. If you have the right equipment, you’ll be able to continue to produce baggies of milk while you’re at work on your breaks and bring them home to freeze them. This will allow you to continue to feed your baby breast milk and still be able to add it to their food.
Plan a pumping schedule
Carving out time in the day to pump can be tough when you’re in a public workplace, but keeping a regular schedule will help to maintain your supply while establishing any boundaries with coworkers. You should try to keep your schedule around the time your little one would normally eat and then make sure that you have a calendar blocked so that that time cannot be taken.
Speak to your manager when you’re returning to work
You need to talk about the schedule that you’re on, especially if you’re going to be pumping during the day. Having it known that you are allowed to pump or feed wherever you want to, whenever you want to and nobody can argue because otherwise they are breaking the law should be helpful for you. Speak to your manager and work out your pumping schedule and let them know where new plans are. Do it because that way they can make sure that they are flexible with your return to work.
Take videos and photos
It can be tough to pump in a workplace setting, especially if you have work on your mind. Usually, when you bring your baby to your breast, you can continue breastfeeding because they have triggered that letdown for you. Seeing your little one breastfeeding can help to continue to trigger those letdowns. So take videos and photos of your baby feeding from you so that you have something to look at and get started. Hopefully, this can trigger that response from your body and you will be able to get pumping while you’re in the office.
Start back in the middle of the week
When you’re returning to work after having a baby. The first few days can be quite tough, both emotionally and physically. Start back midweek. It means that your first week back is shorter and it can help you to figure out your new normal. Your childcare and your pumping schedules are going to be difficult to follow at the very beginning, so you need to make sure that you have a shorter first week so that you can go back into the weekend very quickly.
Expect disruptions
When you’re going back to work after having a baby, you should expect that your first few weeks especially are going to be disrupted. Not only will your baby feel that schedule shift as you do, and they have to adjust to using a bottle more through the day rather than your breast, they’re going to wake more through the night, which means it’s going to be disruptive for you. Try to balance this out with your partner or with a family friend or somebody living with you. So that you’re not trying to face this on your own. Typically waking and breastfeeding more during the night is normal as part of this transition, so make sure that you can get to bed early if you can, and try to remember the fact that it is temporary.
Pack everything you need the night before
If you’re not working remotely and you are working from an office that you have to commute to, make sure that you’re setting yourself up for success on those busy mornings by having something packed the night before, from your pump being cleaned and in its bag to having spare clothes in case you leak is important. Make sure that you have a list that helps you to manage childcare drop-offs and breakfast. And don’t forget to eat and drink. It’s so important for you to keep up with that.
Make pumping at work easy
The best thing about being in 2024 is that there are plenty of clothing options for working mums that you can invest in that will allow you to feed easily or pump easily at work. Breastfeeding changes the size of your breast quite dramatically, so you have to make sure that your bra still fits. You should also make sure that you have a comfortable pumping bra and tops that can make redressing and undressing efficient. You should also pack spare clothes and spare pump parts so that you have everything you need in case you have an oversupply.
Make sure that you have a support system
It’s emotional to go back to work, particularly as you’re adjusting to being back at work after having a baby. Spend some time setting up a good support system around you, from your partner and close friends to coworkers or even a therapist. Don’t do this by yourself.
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