Breastfeeding and Returning to Work: Yes, You Can Do Both
Breastfeeding and Returning to Work: The Part Nobody Really Prepares You For
You’ve just figured out feeding.
Maybe breastfeeding got off to a rocky start. Maybe it came naturally. Maybe you survived cluster feeding, cracked nipples, 2am Google spirals and endless cups of cold coffee.
And then suddenly …
It’s time to go back to work. For many women, this moment feels enormous. Not because they don’t want to return to work — many do. Some women genuinely love their careers, enjoy the stimulation of work, and feel more balanced and emotionally fulfilled when they have both motherhood and professional identity.
Others return because financially, they simply have to. Mortgage repayments, rent, childcare costs and limited paid parental leave can make extended time off impossible.
Whatever the reason, one thing is very common:
Women often worry breastfeeding and working can’t coexist.
But here’s the reality:
They absolutely can.
Not perfectly.
Not always easily.
But very often, successfully.
And importantly:
you do not need to choose between being a committed mother and returning to work.
You just need realistic expectations, good support, a workable plan and flexibility.
At Dial a Midwife, we support women through this transition every week — and honestly? The emotional side of returning to work is often just as significant as the logistics. Because feeding isn’t just about milk.
It’s about:
connection
identity
routine
comfort
confidence
and sometimes guilt.
So let’s talk honestly about it.
First Things First: There Is No “Right” Way to Do This
Some women:
exclusively breastfeed while working
express during the day
mixed feed
breastfeed mornings and evenings only
transition gradually
stop breastfeeding entirely
And none of these choices make you a better or worse mother.
The internet loves extremes.
Real life?
Real life is usually a mix of practicality, emotion, exhaustion, adaptation, and figuring it out as you go. The goal is not perfection.
The goal is:
finding a feeding approach that works for your baby, your body, your workplace and your mental health.
The Emotional Side of Returning to Work
This part catches many women off guard.
You can feel excited to return, guilty about returning, relieved to return and devastated to return … all at once!
And if you’re breastfeeding, emotions can feel even more intense. Many mums worry:
“Will my baby forget me?”
“Will my supply disappear?”
“Will they stop breastfeeding?”
“Am I doing the wrong thing?”
Here’s what we want you to know:
Babies don’t measure love by hours spent together.
They measure responsiveness, connection, comfort, familiarity and safety. And breastfeeding can absolutely continue after returning to work. In fact, many babies naturally adapt beautifully. Some even reverse cycle — feeding more when they’re with mum and less during the day.
Messy?
Sometimes.
Normal?
Very.
Planning Is Everything (Seriously)
Returning to work while breastfeeding is one of those situations where preparation makes a massive difference.
The women who cope best usually:
think ahead early
practise expressing beforehand
organise workplace supports
have realistic expectations
and build a flexible feeding plan.
The women who struggle most?
Often leave everything until the week before returning.
And honestly?
That’s stressful for everyone.
Step One: Talk With Your Partner
This matters more than people realise.
Because breastfeeding while working is not just your project.
It requires support.
Practical support.
Emotional support.
Logistical support.
Talk through:
your feeding goals
your work schedule
childcare routines
night feeds
expressing plans
household responsibilities
Your chances of successfully continuing breastfeeding increase significantly when your partner is actively supportive.
Not “helping”.
Participating.
Big difference.
Step Two: Talk to Your Workplace Early
A supportive workplace can completely change the experience.
And honestly?
Many women avoid these conversations because they feel awkward.
Don’t.
You are not asking for special treatment: you are planning for a biological and practical reality. Things to discuss:
break times for expressing
access to a private room
fridge storage
flexibility if needed
feeding arrangements if baby is nearby
Some workplaces are accredited as:
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces
These environments often already have systems in place. But even if your workplace isn’t formally accredited, many employers are increasingly supportive when approached proactively.
Please Don’t Express in a Toilet
We’re saying this loudly for the women in the back. A bathroom is not an appropriate place to prepare food for your baby! You deserve:
privacy
cleanliness
dignity
basic comfort
A small private room is not an unreasonable request.
Choosing a Breast Pump: Don’t Cheap Out Here
We’ll be blunt.
A terrible pump can make breastfeeding and working miserable. If expressing becomes slow, uncomfortable, ineffective, exhausting … you’re much more likely to stop. In our experience, a good quality electric pump is worth every cent. Especially if:
you’ll express regularly
you work long hours
you’re returning full-time.
Some women buy.
Some hire hospital-grade pumps initially.
Either way:
good equipment matters.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
Your milk supply naturally fluctuates throughout the day. Many women notice:
morning supply is strongest
afternoon output can be lower
This is normal. Learning your body’s patterns helps enormously. Some women:
express before work
during lunch
during commute hours
before bed
It often takes experimentation. And yes — the first few weeks can feel clunky. That’s okay.
Relaxation Actually Affects Milk Flow
This sounds annoying but it’s true: stress can interfere with let-down, which means:
rushing
anxiety
workplace pressure
embarrassment
… can make expressing harder.
Some women find it helpful to look at photos/videos of baby, use headphones, sit comfortably, practise deep breathing and avoid watching pump bottles obsessively. And no — output volume is not a measure of your worth as a mother. Important reminder.
Storage and Hygiene Matter
Expressed breast milk needs safe handling.
Key basics:
wash hands thoroughly
sterilise equipment properly
use clean storage containers
label milk clearly
follow storage guidelines
This becomes much easier once routine develops.
At first?
It can feel like running a small dairy operation.
That’s normal too.
Babies Often Feed Differently After Mum Returns to Work
This surprises many parents. Your baby may feed more overnight, want extra cuddles, cluster feed when together or feed differently on weekends. This isn’t usually a problem. It’s often connection, comfort and biological adaptation. Your baby is adjusting too.
The Pressure to “Do It All” Is Ridiculous
Modern motherhood can feel impossible sometimes.
Work like you don’t have children.
Parent like you don’t work.
Breastfeed effortlessly.
Stay mentally well.
Sleep somehow.
Honestly?
No wonder women feel overwhelmed.
This is why support matters so much.
Not judgment.
Not perfection.
Support.
How Dial a Midwife Helps
This transition is exactly the type of thing we support women through every day.
We help with:
breastfeeding assessments
expressing guidance
supply concerns
return-to-work planning
emotional support
feeding schedules
pumping strategies
realistic troubleshooting
And importantly:
we help women feel less alone.
Because often what mothers need most is:
reassurance
perspective
calm guidance
and someone experienced to talk things through with.
When to Get Help Sooner Rather Than Later
Please seek support early if:
expressing is painful
supply suddenly drops
baby refuses feeds
you feel overwhelmed
you’re developing blocked ducts
breastfeeding is affecting your mental health
you’re anxious about returning to work
Small feeding issues can snowball quickly when ignored.
Early support makes a huge difference.
You Do Not Have to Choose Between Career and Breastfeeding
This message matters. Because many women quietly feel, “If I return to work, breastfeeding is over.” Not necessarily. For some women, breastfeeding continues:
for months
for years
beautifully alongside work.
For others?
Feeding changes gradually.
Both can be okay.
What matters most is informed choices, realistic support, emotional wellbeing and a feeding plan that works for your family.
The Goal Is Sustainability — Not Perfection
The women who cope best long-term are usually not the ones chasing perfection. They’re the ones who:
adapt
stay flexible
seek support early
let go of unrealistic expectations
and build systems that are actually sustainable.
Because motherhood is not a performance - and breastfeeding while working is not a test you pass or fail. It’s a transition - one that often requires trial and error, patience, confidence and support.
Final Thoughts
Returning to work while breastfeeding can feel intimidating at first, but with preparation, support, realistic expectations, workplace planning and professional guidance … it can absolutely work.
Not always perfectly.
Not always smoothly.
But often far better than women expect.
And if things feel difficult?
You do not have to figure it out alone.
Need Support With Breastfeeding or Returning to Work?
Dial a Midwife provides compassionate, evidence-based support for:
breastfeeding
expressing
feeding concerns
postnatal care
emotional wellbeing
return-to-work transitions
Our experienced Australian midwives support women Australia-wide via online appointments and ongoing continuity of care.
Because sometimes what changes everything is simply having the right support beside you.