Program Toolkit
A Mother-Friendly Worksite to Support Breastfeeding is as easy as 5 simple steps
Click here for a printable version of the Mother-Friendly Worksite Toolkit
10 STEP CHECKLIST
Breastfeeding Moms Going Back to Work
During Pregnancy
1. Attend a Prenatal Class:
Register for prenatal & breastfeeding classes available at your birth facility, WIC clinic or healthcare provider office.
2. Know Your Rights:
The Federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law & Montana Public Employer Policy on Breastfeeding support your right to pump at the workplace.
3. Prepare:
- Find an affordable breast pump: contact your health insurance, healthcare provider,
- Reach out to workplace peers for hints on breastfeeding & returning to work hospital or WIC clinic.
4. Talk with your Employer:
- Talk with your supervisor about your plans to breastfeed.
- Determine if there is worksite lactation policy, if not ask about private places to comfortably express breast milk.
First Weeks
5. Skin to Skin:
- Put baby skin to skin after birth and to breast within the first hour.
- Room in with baby room at birth facility.
- Ask the hospital to teach you hand expression.
6. Breastfeed!:
- Breastfeed 8-12 times per day.
- Avoid using bottles or pacifiers in the first 3-4 weeks as this may decrease milk supply.
- Ask for lactation support referrals at discharge.
Before Returning to Work
7. Establish Breastfeeding:
- Take time off of work to recover from childbirth and establish breastfeeding.
- Practice expressing your milk by hand or with a quality breast pump during the day when you have the most milk.
8. Gold Nuggets:
- Once breastfeeding is established offer a bottle of breast milk at least 1 x a week before back to work so your baby can practice using a bottle.
- Freeze 1-2 ounces of breast milk at a time to save after your return to work.
- Choose a childcare that is supportive of breastfeeding.
- Return to work midweek so you will have a shortened work week the first week.
Back at Work
9. First Days Back:
- Be prepared for an emotional week.
- Meet with manager to determine a place & time to express breast milk during your shift.
- Ask if your workplace would consider other nursing support options including working from home, transitioning gradually from part-time to full-time or job sharing.
10. Workplace Pumping:
- Express milk during the workday when you would normally feed your baby.
- Double pump & use breast massage to increase breast milk output.
- Breastfeed before you leave for work and when you return home.
- When expressing milk, try looking at a picture of your child or thinking about feeding your child. This may help with your milk letting down
Additional Resources
For Businesses
Business Case for Breastfeeding
Supporting Nursing Mothers at Work-Employer Solutions
Surgeon Generals Call to Support Breastfeeding
CDC Support for Breastfeeding from Within the Workplace
For Mothers
Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work
Breastfeeding & Working - La Leche League
Working & Pumping Tips- Kellymom.com