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| Kidspiredlife |
Returning to work after having a baby is not easy. Your body is still healing, your emotions are everywhere, and then there’s the big question — how do I continue breastfeeding while working full-time? I remember staring at my wardrobe trying to find something to wear that wouldn’t soak through before 11 a.m., wondering if my baby would cope without me, and how I would manage to pump in between meetings.
No one really prepares you for that part. They talk about maternity leave and diapers and all the cute things, but combining breastfeeding with a busy work schedule? That one is a different level. What helped me was accepting that I couldn’t do it all perfectly — and I didn’t need to.
I started preparing before resuming. I introduced bottle feeding using expressed breast milk during the last weeks of maternity leave. Not every baby accepts the bottle at first, and mine didn’t either. We tried different types of bottles and let someone else feed her while I stepped out of the room. Eventually, she got used to it, and I felt more confident knowing she’d still feed well even if I wasn’t physically there.
At work, I had to be intentional. I looked for a private space to pump — sometimes it was a spare office, other times it was the back seat of my car. I made sure I packed everything: my pump, clean storage bottles, a cooler bag with ice packs, and a shawl for privacy. It wasn’t always smooth, but the routine helped me stay consistent. I pumped during my breaks and stored the milk properly until I got home.
Another thing I learned quickly is that you have to speak up. If you’re working in an environment that doesn’t support nursing moms, you might need to politely advocate for yourself. I had a conversation with my manager and explained that I would need short breaks to express milk. It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I did — my baby’s wellbeing was worth it.
Evenings became my bonding time. Once I got home, I would breastfeed directly, and that closeness helped me feel connected after a long day apart. Some nights were harder than others, especially when I was tired and my baby wanted to cluster feed. But I reminded myself that this season wouldn’t last forever.
The pressure to wean early just because you’ve resumed work is real, but if you want to continue breastfeeding, it’s possible with planning and support. Some moms stop breastfeeding once they return to work, and that’s perfectly fine too. The most important thing is doing what works for your body, your baby, and your peace of mind.
If you’re on this journey, just know you’re not alone. There are other Nigerian moms who are navigating this same phase — juggling laptops with leaking breasts, Zoom calls with silent pumping, and school runs with sleep deprivation. You’re doing well, and your baby is lucky to have you.
For more relatable tips like this, visit Kidspired Life, your safe space for honest motherhood stories and everyday parenting wins.
