Feeding Baby After Going Back to Work or School

Going back to work or school can feel hard, but with planning, you can keep breastfeeding and stay connected with your baby.

Before You Return

Don’t think too much about going back to work in the first weeks.
Around three weeks, start practicing bottle feeding a few times a week. Pump or hand express about 1oz. of breast milk in the morning to put in a bottle.
Start storing milk one to four weeks before you go back. Having one to four days of milk stored is enough.
Pump after the first daytime feed and store in the freezer. Pumping too much can cause oversupply and plugged ducts.

At Work or School

Pump about every three hours for 15 minutes to keep milk flowing.
If you feel full or uncomfortable, pump to avoid pain and infection. Even five minutes of pumping or hand expression helps.
Arrive a little early and pump before your first class or work shift.

Make Pumping Easier

Keep pump parts in a clean bag in the fridge during the day and wash them at home at the end of the day.
Look at baby’s photo, listen to music, or relax to help milk flow.
A hands-free bra and gentle massage can help you get more milk.

Remember: Every drop of breastmilk is good for your baby. Find the routine that works best for you.

Support and Rights

If it’s hard to get time or space to pump, talk to your healthcare provider. They can explain your rights and may write a letter for your workplace or school.

Storing and Preparing Breastmilk

How to Store Breastmilk

Type of Breastmilk	Countertop (at Room Temperature)	Fridge	Freezer	Deep Freezer
Freshly pumped milk	Six hours	Six days	Six months	Up to one year
Frozen breast milk, thawed	Two hours	Two days	Do not refreeze
Left over after a feeding	Use within two hours

Store breastmilk in breastmilk storage bags or in clean hard plastic or glass containers. Talk to your provider or health plan to order milk storage bags.
If you combine milk from different pumping times, chill the fresh milk in the refrigerator before adding it to milk that was already stored.
After pumping, put milk in the refrigerator or in a cooler bag with ice packs.
Thaw frozen breastmilk overnight in the refrigerator.

How to Prepare Frozen Breastmilk

Thaw the milk.
- Place frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator overnight, or for quicker thawing, hold the sealed container under warm running water or place it in a bowl of warm water.
- Never use boiling water or the microwave
Gently mix the milk.
- Swirl the bottle gently to mix the milk.
- Do not shake hard. This can break down helpful nutrients in the milk.
Warm if needed.
- Place the container in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes or hold under lukewarm running water.
- Test a few drops on the inside of your wrist—it should feel warm, not hot.
- Some babies will drink cold or room temperature milk.
Use right away.
- Thawed breastmilk can stay in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Do not refreeze thawed milk.
- Leftover milk in the bottle should be used in two hours or thrown away.

Additional Tips

Babies may drink a little less milk when you are away. Your baby will eat more when you get back.
Always give breastmilk before formula.
Do not mix breastmilk and formula in the same bottle.