Going Back to Work While Breastfeeding: What I Wish I’d Known

Two very different returns to work

My first return to work happened after I was retrenched while I was on maternity leave.

I eventually started working as an independent contractor, which gave me some flexibility because I was only working around three days a week. But there was another side to that flexibility: I didn't have a permanent desk, an office or somewhere set aside for me to express breast milk.

So I made a plan.

I would go downstairs into the underground parking area, sit in my car and pump.

I was using a single pump, which meant pumping one breast and then the other. Each session took around 20 minutes and because I had to do both sides separately, it took even longer overall.

And I did this three times a day.

Sitting in a car, pumping breast milk, while trying to work and maintain a career isn't exactly how I had pictured motherhood.

But you do what you have to do.

Then came baby number two

With my second baby, things were different again.

This time, I was starting a full-time job. There was a commute. I was spending much more time away from my baby. We had a new nanny. I was trying to prove myself in a new role.

And I was stressed.

Really stressed.

I don't think I appreciated just how much that stress could affect my breastfeeding journey.

When you're trying to prove yourself at work, it can feel very difficult to say, "Sorry, I need to stop what I'm doing because I need to pump."

So you push the pumping session back.

Or you skip it.

You don't drink enough water.

You grab whatever food is easiest.

You don't take a proper lunch.

You spend the whole day thinking about work and your baby and whether you're doing either of them well enough.

And suddenly, something that was supposed to be a natural part of your day becomes another thing you're trying desperately to fit in.

My biggest lesson: your supply isn't the only thing you're managing

Looking back, I wish I'd understood this earlier.

Going back to work while breastfeeding isn't just about having a breast pump.

It's about creating the conditions that allow you to keep breastfeeding.

That means making time to pump.

It means having somewhere to do it.

It means having water next to you.

It means actually eating.

It means having the right equipment.

And, perhaps most importantly, it means giving yourself permission to prioritise your own basic needs.

I was so focused on proving myself at work that I didn't always look after myself properly.

And that's a difficult lesson to learn when you're already trying to do everything.

A double pump changed everything

One of the biggest practical lessons I learned was the difference a double pump makes.

With my first baby, I loved my single pump. It was compact and convenient, and it worked brilliantly for pumping in the car.

But pumping one breast at a time has some disadvantages.

For one thing, when you're pumping one side, the other side may leak.

And you're doubling the amount of time you need to spend pumping.

With my second baby, I used my Spectra double pump, and it was a game changer.

Being able to express from both breasts at the same time made the whole process significantly more manageable.

If you're planning to return to work while breastfeeding, I would strongly recommend considering a double pump.

And if you have the budget, I'd also consider having a second set of pump parts.

More on that in my practical guide to setting up breastfeeding at work.

I also learned that your workplace setup matters

I was fortunate that my current workplace has mostly women, which made pumping at my desk feel relatively comfortable.

I would wear a breastfeeding or pumping bra, usually with a vest and a button-up shirt, and use a muslin feeding apron over the top.

Then I could attach the pumps and get on with it.

It wasn't glamorous.

And pouring breast milk into storage bags at your desk while your colleagues carry on working around you is certainly an experience.

But it worked.

That said, I know this isn't going to feel comfortable for everyone.

If you have a private room available, use it.

If you don't, ask your employer what options are available.

And please don't assume that the bathroom is your only option.

Apart from the fact that it isn't a particularly pleasant place to express milk, you also have the practical issue of washing and handling your pumping equipment afterwards.

A private room, a suitable office space or even a safe place to park your car may be much more practical.

Give yourself a practice run before you go back

This is something I wish I had done.

Before returning to work, do a trial day at home.

Actually pack the bag you'd take to work.

Pump at the times you expect to pump.

Store the milk.

Deal with your pump parts.

Pack your cooler bag.

Pretend you're actually at work.

Then notice every point where you think:

"Oh. This is annoying."

That's your friction point.

Maybe your cooler bag is too small.

Maybe you don't have enough storage bags.

Maybe you can't figure out where you're going to clean your pump parts.

Maybe getting everything out of your bag takes five minutes.

Maybe you don't have enough hands.

Fix those problems at home before you're standing in an office bathroom, running late for a meeting and wondering why nobody told you about this part.

‍

And finally: don't feel like you have to buy everything before your baby arrives

This is probably one of the biggest things I would tell an expectant mother.

You don't need to buy every breastfeeding gadget while you're pregnant.

You don't yet know what your breastfeeding journey is going to look like.

You may breastfeed exclusively.

You may formula feed.

You may combination feed.

You may breastfeed for two weeks, six months or two years.

You may have a baby who loves breastfeeding.

You may have a baby who decides they'd much rather have a bottle.

You simply don't know.

But if you're putting together your baby budget while you're pregnant, leave some money aside for the practical things you might need later.

Because those things can make an enormous difference.

The beautiful outfits are lovely. The tiny socks are adorable.

But the double pump you actually use? The cooler bag that keeps your milk cold? The extra set of pump parts that saves you from washing everything at work? The comfortable pumping bra?

Those are the things that can make a hard season of motherhood a little easier.

And sometimes, that's where your money is best spent.

I made it to six months again

My second breastfeeding journey hasn't been perfect either.

My baby, like my first, has gradually shown a preference for bottles and formula.

But I reached my goal again.

Six months.

And this time, I understand just how much work went into getting there.

Not because I did everything perfectly.

Because I didn't.

But because I kept figuring it out.

I adapted.

I pumped in cars.

I pumped at desks.

I learned what equipment worked for me.

I learned what didn't.

And I learned that breastfeeding doesn't happen in a vacuum.

It happens alongside work, commuting, childcare, meetings, stress, exhaustion, lunch breaks and everything else that comes with being a mother.

If you're heading back to work while breastfeeding, I hope you know this:

You don't have to do it perfectly. You just need to find a system that works for you.