Despite the postpartum complexities for women returning to the workplace, breastfeeding moms find ways to keep going. For many women though, it is the return to the workplace that can bring breastfeeding to an abrupt end. Being prepared each day is essential to achieving a stress-free breastfeeding routine. These helpful tips are courtesy of Holli Harris, founder of Hadley Stilwell.

Before returning to work:

• Buy or rent a reliable breast pump
• Purchase a good number of storage bottles and breast shields so that you don’t have to clean them every night.
• Make sure you have two ice packs on hand.
• Start pumping about two weeks prior to returning to work to allow time to adjust
• Collect a small amount of breast milk to store
• Inform manager or appropriate official at work of your plans
• Locate a convenient location at your office where you can pump
  

Prepare the night before:

• Lay out clothes for yourself and your baby the night before.
• Make sure icepacks are in the freezer.
• Add storage bottles to cooler and leave open as a reminder to add the icepack.
• Make sure you have enough caps for the storage bottles.
• Put non-food items in baby’s daycare bag: (diapers, blanket, extra clothes)
• Charge cell phone overnight in a place where you will see it before leaving, on your work bag is preferable.
• Make sure your wallet is in the bag.

Morning:

• Add ice pack to cooler.
• Add food and breast milk to baby’s daycare bag.

Storing breast milk:

• Room Temperature for 4-5 hours
• Refrigerator: 5 days
• Freezer: 3 months
• Previously Frozen: 24 hours
• Refreezing is okay if milk is still partially frozen

Get more tips from Hadley Stilwell Milk Notes.