Going Back to Work or School

If possible, take as much time off as you can before returning to work or school.
At least six weeks of leave can help you recover from childbirth and settle into a routine. Twelve weeks is even better.

Going back to work or school can make you happy, sad, or both. This is normal. You may have lots of questions about how you will keep breastfeeding. Being prepared will help ease your mind.

  • Learn as much as you can ahead of time
  • Ask WIC for tips on how to continue breastfeeding after returning to work or school
  • Talk with your employer or school advisor about your options

Tips for Talking With Your Employer or School Advisor

Plan first – and come prepared with answers. Questions to ask yourself:

  • What kind of support do I want and need from my employer/school?
  • What questions will my employer/school ask me? (For example, they may want to know how long you’ll need for breaks)
  • Write your thoughts down ahead of time and bring them with you

Schedule a time to talk.

  • Ask your employer or school advisor if you can set aside time to talk privately. This ensures you’ll have their full attention when you chat.

Discuss different types of schedules such as:

  • Coming back part-time
  • Taking morning or evening classes
  • Working split shifts

Explain your needs

Help your employer/school understand your needs, such as:
  • Time to express milk at regular intervals throughout the day. You will need to express milk during the times you would normally feed your baby. In the first few months of life, babies need to breastfeed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. This means during a typical eight-hour work period you will need to pump about two or three times. Expressing milk can take about 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes it may take longer. Many women use their regular breaks and lunch break to pump.
  • A private space to pump that is not a bathroom
  • Work with your boss or school advisor to find a private place to express your milk. You may be able to use an office with a door, conference room, or classroom. The area should be private and secure when in use and must have an electrical outlet if you are using an electric breast pump.
  • Explain to your employer/school why it’s best not to express milk in a restroom.
  • Restrooms are dirty, and don’t usually have electrical outlets.
  • It can also be difficult to manage a pump in a toilet stall.

Keep in mind that returning to work or school gradually gives you more time to adjust.

Let them know you won’t take time beyond what you need. Whether your time spent expressing milk is paid or unpaid, you can offer to make it up. And when it comes to finding a place to pump, offer creative solutions, such as offices, areas that can be blocked off, storage closets or even your car with window coverings.

Workplace Support

Breastfeeding mothers need all the support they can get as they go back to work. Click below to download a free Returning to Work Plan. Ask WIC breastfeeding staff to help you fill out this sheet so you can take it to your employer.
Returning to Work Plan

Preparing for Childcare

  • Stock up on your stored milk 1-2 weeks before you go back to work or school.
  • Write your baby’s name and date the milk was expressed on each storage bag.
  • Have your baby get used to someone else feeding them from a bottle before their first time at daycare.

Talk with your childcare provider. It is important to find a childcare provider that supports breastfeeding and will feed your baby stored breast milk while you are at work.

  • Tell them if you want your baby to only have breast milk.
  • Write down your baby’s feeding schedule.
  • Ask them to write down how much your baby eats at each feeding.
  • Have them keep track of the number of wet and poopy diapers.
  • Ask them to contact you if they are running low on breast milk.
  • Teach them how to store and thaw breast milk.
Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position