Tips to Know Before Returning to Work After Baby
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Going back to work after having your baby is a big transition. Planning ahead by gathering information, knowing your rights, and some preparation will help set you up for success. While you are away from your baby, many tips and tricks can ease the stress of returning to work. Time spent preparing for your return to work can make a big difference and make your transition back to work smooth so you can continue to enjoy your breastfeeding relationship.
There are federal and state laws for parents taking leave after their baby's birth and rights you have when returning to work. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers are obligated to provide a reasonable amount of time for you to take a break for pumping and a private space to pump that is not a bathroom. These rights are in place until your baby is one year old. State laws vary from state to state. In 2023, a new bill was signed called the PUMP Act, which stands for Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers will be enforced and gives more people in more jobs protections for pumping at work as well as actions to take if their employer does not comply. (4)
Discuss pumping at work with your employer before your return. Letting your employer know when you will need to pump can help them understand your needs. Work together to set up a schedule that works for you both.
Consider your options and how you will transition back to work. Some parents begin by working from home or part-time at home and part-time in the office. Discuss ahead of time with your boss what your workload and responsibilities will be when you return. Easing back in might be a solution to making the transition smooth and successful for everyone. If you return full-time, consider having your first week begin in the middle of the week. Getting accustomed to the new routine can be tiring for you and will be new for your baby, so working part of a week to start allows you to reflect and adjust your schedule moving forward.
The first 6-8 weeks of breastfeeding are driven primarily by your hormones. During this time, the body is getting to know and adjust to how much milk is needed to feed your baby. Frequent milk removal signals to keep up the milk making and establishes your supply. After this beginning period, your milk supply is informed by demand. It is recommended to wait until about 6 weeks before adding pumping in to start storing milk, but it can be done sooner if needed.
Talk with whoever will be watching your baby before your return to work. Let them know your expectations, schedule, and any information to help them best care for your baby while you are at work.
Ensure everything is ready to go the night before, making the following morning easier and not rushed.
Your bag
Baby’s bag
You did it! Your day is done, and you and your baby are reunited. It is normal for you both to have missed each other. Sometimes babies will make up for missed daytime snuggles during the night. They may want to nurse a little more often when you are together.
Be gentle on yourself as you and your baby adjust to your return to work. Remember to be flexible. Returning to work looks different for everyone, and it may take some experimenting to figure out what works best for you and your baby.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/maternity-leave-laws-by-state/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/supporting-nursing-moms-work/what-law-says-about-breastfeeding-and-work
https://infantfeedingmatters.com/milk-supply-regulation/
https://www.rachelobrienibclc.com/blog/how-to-start-pumping-and-build-a-milk-stash/
https://lactationmatters.org/2013/05/01/traveling-as-a-pumping-mother/
https://lactationmatters.org/2012/05/17/pumping-strategies-for-the-working-mother/
https://cccf-fcsge.ca/ece-resources/topics/child-health-safety/supporting-breastfeeding-child-care/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4197529/
https://hbr.org/2019/08/how-to-return-to-work-after-taking-parental-leave