Worried about breastfeeding when you return to work? What you need to know

Key takeaways

There are laws to protect breastfeeding parents.
Take time to think about your breastfeeding needs before you talk with your employer.
Have the conversation with your employer before you return to work, so you can set yourself up for success.
Keeping checking in as your breastfeeding needs change.

Most people who have breastfed their baby will start with the same three words: It’s not easy. While some people may find the perfect latch from day one, many new parents who choose to breastfeed struggle for months to get into the groove. The good news is, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

With all that hard work to get to this point, it’s no wonder that parents returning to work might feel fiercely about protecting their infant feeding choice.

The good news is, that’s absolutely possible.

Legal protections for breastfeeding parents

In Australia, your right to combine breastfeeding and paid work is protected under the Federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

Under the Act, it is unlawful to treat a person less favourably because they are breastfeeding, or treat a person less favourably based on their status as a parent.

It is generally against the law to refuse to make arrangements to support breastfeeding (that includes expressing breastmilk), if they are reasonable.

For example, if your employer does not provide you with suitable facilities or work breaks for breastfeeding or expressing milk (note that these breaks do not have to be paid under Australian law), or if you are told you must wean your baby before you return to work then this is at odds with the discrimination legislation.

Sounds good in theory? In practice, it can be harder to imagine, particularly if you work in a customer-facing role. So how do you get started?

Before the first conversation

First of all, it’s worth acknowledging that many employers will be open to supporting breastfeeding, though they may feel ill equipped in how best to do that, especially if they haven’t managed breastfeeding employees before. By having a conversation with them early you can start putting in place the plans you need to continue your breastfeeding journey.

To set yourself up for success, before you talk with your employer think about:

Your breastfeeding goals, such as length of time you’ll breastfeed, frequency of feeds and whether you will be mixed feeding.

How you’ll physically achieve those goals, such as:
- Expressing at work.
- Breastfeeding your baby at work.
- Going to the baby to feed (such as visiting them at childcare).
- Adjusting your working hours around feeds.
- Utilising flexible work options, like working from home.

What you need in place in order to achieve the above, such as:
- A place to store expressed milk, such as a fridge.
- A means to transport expressed milk home, such as a cooler bag.
- A place to breastfeed or pump* – ideally this space would be private, comfortable, with a chair, a lockable door, sink access and a powerpoint (if you’re expressing breastmilk).

_{* Not all workplaces will have a physical private area they can dedicate to breastfeeding. It’s worth discussing with your employer how you can overcome any practical barriers to ensure you have a suitable space. This could mean making use of portable partitions, making use of other multi-purpose rooms or working flexible hours around feeding. Remember, feeling stressed or anxious can affect your let-down reflex and milk supply, so it’s important to ensure you have a space where you feel comfortable.}

While it’s worth doing this early thinking, it’s vital not to make any assumptions about how your employer will respond, or the facilities available to you. Always ask, don’t assume.

That first conversation

It’s good to make a time to have your first conversation before you return to work. You need to be the one driving this conversation, as your employer may not want to make any assumptions on your feeding needs, or they may be unaware of your breastfeeding intentions.

In this conversation it’s important to cover:

The infant feeding needs you determined in the ‘Before the first conversation’ steps above, including time needed to breastfeed or express at work, a space in which to feed and any additional facilities you need.
Any legal information the employer may need to be aware of (you can share this resource with them).
How your needs will be communicated to the wider team, if required (for example, who will cover you if you need to step away to pump – you can share this resource to cover this too).

It’s important to be proactive and clear about your intentions to continue breastfeeding or expressing at work. Every mother’s and baby’s needs are different, and every workplace is different. By being clear you’re avoiding any assumptions being made (i.e ‘Martha just put the baby on formula when she returned to work, can’t you just do that?’).

If you’re concerned about breastfeeding or expressing milk at work, it may be worth raising this with your employer in your initial conversation. For example, some people can feel anxious about the impact their breastfeeding schedule may have on other colleagues, worry about making others uncomfortable or are concerned that they would be perceived as less professional or uncommitted. Speak with your employer about these concerns and develop a plan together to address them upfront.

Check in as your needs change

As your baby ages, their breastfeeding needs will change and eventually reduce. It’s good to check in and let your employer know if and when things change as your baby grows.

Communicating this with both your employer and your team will help to ensure that you get the support you need and others are kept in the loop as things change.

Four final things to think about before you return to work

Your work wardrobe – is it breastfeeding-friendly?

Doing a trial run, including getting your baby familiar with using a bottle for expressed milk feeding if needed.

Practising expressing – this might include testing strategies to assist with let-down in the absence of your baby, for example thinking about your baby, looking at a photo or using relaxation methods such as slow breathing.

Connecting with colleagues or friends who have breastfed while working to learn from their experience.

Ongoing support

For advice and support with breastfeeding or expressing at work, you may like to contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 or visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association site.

To access further resources to support your employer to create a supportive breastfeeding culture, view the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s resources for workplaces.

_{This resource was developed in consultation with Associate Professor Elaine Burns and Dr Sky Hugman, Western Sydney University.}