Breastfeeding and Returning to Work

Volver al trabajo después de ser madre marca una nueva etapa, cargada de emociones encontradas. Es normal sentir alegría por Returning to work after becoming a mother marks a new stage, filled with mixed emotions. It’s normal to feel happy about regaining part of your routine while also experiencing anxiety or guilt about being apart from your baby.

Many mothers wonder if they will be able to continue breastfeeding once they go back to work. The answer is yes: it is possible to maintain breastfeeding and preserve that special bond, even when your environment changes.

As a neonatal nurse and IBCLC-certified lactation consultant, I support many mothers through this transition. Here are key strategies to plan this stage, maintain your milk supply, and nurture the bond with your baby without giving up your desire to breastfeed.

The Importance of Preparing in Advance

The key to a smooth and sustainable return to work is preparation. Ideally, start planning at least one month before going back.

Consider the option that best suits you: expressing milk to maintain supply, introducing complementary feeding if your baby meets the requirements, or partial weaning if you wish.

If you choose to express milk to maintain breastfeeding, here is a guide that can help.

Choosing a Good Breast Pump

Selecting the right pump is essential for comfortable and efficient milk expression. Options include:

• Manual: useful for occasional expression or travel
• Single electric: recommended if you express 1–2 times a day
• Double electric: ideal for frequent use; faster and more efficient
• Wireless: great for use at work
• Plug-in: usually more powerful
  

It’s important that the pump has a flange of the correct size for your nipple and that you use it in a comfortable setting. Expressing should not be painful or leave the breast irritated.

When to Start Expressing

It is recommended to start three weeks before returning to work. You can express once a day after a feed (for example, after the morning feed, taking advantage of the prolactin peak, the hormone responsible for milk production).

Remember: your supply responds to demand. Expressing milk not only stores it but also signals your body to continue producing. The goal is not to fill the freezer, but to build confidence for you and your baby in this new routine.

How to Store Expressed Milk

Once expressed, milk can be stored as follows:

• Room temperature (up to 25 °C): 4 hours
• Refrigerator (0–4 °C): up to 4 days
• Freezer (-18 °C): up to 6 months
  

Use clean containers (glass or BPA-free food-safe plastic, such as bags or bottles) and label each with the date and volume. Always thaw the oldest milk first, either in a bowl of water or overnight in the fridge. Never microwave; instead, use a warm water bath without bringing it to a boil.

During Work: Organising Milk Expression

To maintain supply and avoid discomfort, aim for 1–3 expressions during your workday, depending on how long you are away. Some tips:

• Find a quiet, hygienic place to express without interruptions
• Keep a thermal bag or portable fridge with ice packs for transporting milk
• Looking at a photo or video of your baby can help trigger the let-down reflex
• Use a pumping bra if needed for comfort
  

In Spain, labour laws allow one hour of lactation leave per day until the baby is 9 months old. You can accumulate it, reduce working hours, or request special conditions: know your rights and assert them.

How to Feed Your Baby in Your Absence

There are several ways to offer breast milk when you are not present:

• Cup or spoon: ideal for babies under 6 months if avoiding bottles
• Finger-syringe or finger-feeding system
• Bottle (slow-flow nipple)
  

It’s important that the caregiver understands that feeding is not only nutritional but also provides comfort, contact, and reassurance. Feeds should be calm, held in arms, and without rushing.

Maintaining the Bond When You Return Home

Even after several hours apart, breastfeeding offers the opportunity to reconnect physically and emotionally. Many babies seek the breast more frequently in the afternoon or evening; this is completely normal.

There is no single way to balance work and motherhood, but respecting your and your baby’s rhythm and adapting routines can help maintain that unique connection.

What If Milk Supply Drops?

It’s common for many mothers to notice a decrease in supply upon returning to work due to stress, separation, or irregular expression. Strategies to maintain supply:

• Express milk frequently (every 3–4 hours)
• Consider night-time expressions if feasible
• Stimulate the breast even if little milk is expressed
• Stay hydrated, rested, and well-nourished
• Seek professional support to review technique or strategies
  

A temporary dip in supply is not a failure: your body is capable, and often recovers with small adjustments and support.

Returning to work does not mean giving up breastfeeding. With planning, support, and small adjustments, you can continue to offer your baby the best of you while preserving your bond. If you are about to return to work and have questions or difficulties, my support is here for you.