Can I Keep Breastfeeding When I Go Back to Work?
Yes, you absolutely can — and you are not alone in wondering.
Going back to work after maternity leave is a big deal. When you are still breastfeeding, it can feel even more daunting. You might be wondering how to manage expressing milk at work, how much your baby will need, and what your rights actually are as a breastfeeding mother in Ireland.
The good news is that returning to work does not have to mean the end of breastfeeding. Many families continue — happily and successfully — long after mam goes back. It takes a bit of planning, but it is absolutely doable. And you have more legal protection than you might realise.
What Are Your Breastfeeding Break Entitlements at Work in Ireland?
This is something a lot of mothers simply don't know about, so let's start here.
Under the Maternity Protection Acts 1994–2022, as updated by the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, you have a legal right to paid breastfeeding breaks at work for up to two years (104 weeks) after your baby's birth.
This was a significant change. Before July 2023, this entitlement only covered the first six months after birth. It now protects breastfeeding mothers in Ireland for the full first two years of their baby's life.
What Are Your Breastfeeding Break Entitlements at Work in Ireland?
You can take one hour off work each day, with full pay, for breastfeeding or expressing milk. You can structure this as:
One 60-minute break
Two 30-minute breaks
Three 20-minute breaks
This is on top of your usual rest breaks — not instead of them. If you work part-time, your entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
What Must Your Employer Provide for Breastfeeding Mothers?
Your employer should provide a clean, private, and appropriate space for you to breastfeed or express milk. This cannot be a toilet. If providing proper facilities would cost them more than a nominal amount, they are not legally required to do so — but in that case, they must instead allow you to reduce your working hours, with no loss of pay.
Refusing to accommodate a breastfeeding employee, or penalising her in any way because she is breastfeeding, can amount to unlawful sex discrimination.
What Do You Need to Do Before Returning to Work?
You must notify your employer in writing at least four weeks before you return from maternity leave of your intention to continue breastfeeding. Your employer may ask for a copy of your baby's birth certificate. Don't leave this until the last minute — timely notification protects your entitlements.
Useful resources:
Citizens Information — Breastfeeding at Work
Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland — Irish Laws
Planning Ahead: How to Prepare for Going Back to Work While Breastfeeding
The weeks before your return to work are the best time to start thinking ahead. Here are the most important things to put in place.
How to Talk to Your Employer About Breastfeeding
Let your employer know you are still breastfeeding and that you would like to discuss arrangements before you come back. Most employers are willing to accommodate this — they just may not know what they are required to do. A calm, practical conversation well in advance tends to go much better than a last-minute scramble. You have a legal right to breastfeeding breaks in Ireland — don't be afraid to use them.
When to Introduce a Bottle Before Returning to Work
If your baby will be cared for by someone else during the day, it is worth introducing a bottle a few weeks before you return — not too early, but early enough that it does not become a stressful, last-minute situation. Some babies take to a bottle easily; others need more time and patience. If bottle refusal becomes an issue, this is something I can help with — it is more common than people realise, and there are practical ways to work through it.
How to Start Expressing Milk Before Going Back to Work
If you plan to express at work, it is worth practising with your pump at home before your return so that you are confident and know roughly how much milk you produce and when. Expressing can feel awkward at first, especially in a work setting, but it gets easier quickly. Invest in a good quality breast pump — a reliable, efficient pump makes an enormous difference, especially if you are going to be expressing every day. If you are unsure what to look for, this is something I can advise on in a pumping consultation.
Create a Comfortable, Private Space for Pumping
Whether that is a designated room at work or a portable pumping station you set up yourself, having a calm, relaxed environment will help you let down and maximise your milk output. Stress is one of the biggest barriers to effective expressing — a quiet space matters.
How to Store Expressed Breast Milk Safely
Expressed breast milk can be stored safely in the fridge for up to four days, or in the freezer for up to six months. You will need a cool bag and ice packs to transport milk home. Label everything clearly with the date. The HSE has up-to-date guidance on storing expressed breast milk which is worth checking before your return.
Prepare Your Pumping Kit the Night Before
Get into the habit of packing everything you need — pump parts, bottles, storage bags, labels, your cool bag and ice packs — the evening before. Being organised removes one source of stress from an already busy morning and means you are not scrambling at work.
How to Plan Your Breastfeeding Routine Around Work
Many breastfeeding mothers find that a routine of feeding before leaving in the morning, expressing once at work during their breastfeeding break, and feeding again on returning home works well. Your body adapts to a consistent routine fairly quickly. Some engorgement or discomfort in the first week or two is normal as your supply adjusts.
Build Your Support Network
Let your partner, family, or close friends know what you are doing and what you need from them. Having people around you who understand your goals and are rooting for you makes a real difference — especially in those early weeks back, which can feel overwhelming.
How Much Milk Will My Baby Need While I'm at Work?
Not as much as you might think — and this is genuinely reassuring for most mothers!
Your baby's milk intake remains remarkably consistent between 1 and 6 months of age. Babies generally take an average of 25 oz (750ml) of breast milk per day, and most will continue to take around that amount right up until close to a year, alongside solid foods.
A helpful rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 ounces per hour that you are away from your baby, including your commute to and from work. So if you are away for 6 hours in total, your little one will need approximately 6 to 9 ounces of breast milk during that time. Babies typically take around 2 to 4 ounces per feed, so you can use this to plan how many feeds your childminder or creche will need to give.
This is really useful to know when you are building up a freezer stash of expressed milk before your return. You do not need 100 ounces in the freezer. You really don't. You only need roughly one day's worth — around 25 oz — to get you started on your first day back. After that, what you express at work covers what your baby needs the following day. Knowing this takes an enormous amount of pressure off, and stops so many mothers from spending weeks stressed about building a stash they simply don't need.
Will Going Back to Work Affect My Milk Supply?
This is one of the most common questions I hear, and it is a fair one. Going back to work can affect supply — but it does not have to, especially if you plan ahead.
To protect your supply:
Feed on demand when you are at home — morning, evening, overnight if your baby is still feeding at night, and at weekends.
Express during the day if you can, to keep supply stimulated. Even one session at work makes a meaningful difference.
Stay hydrated and eat regularly — easier said than done on a busy day, but it matters.
Watch for early signs that supply may be dropping, such as your baby seeming unsettled or not gaining weight as expected, and get support early if you are concerned.
If you return to work full-time without expressing at all, supply will typically reduce gradually over time. Whether that is what you want or not, the important thing is that it is a conscious choice rather than something that happens by accident.
What If I Want to Move to Combination Feeding When I Return to Work?
Not every mother wants to continue breastfeeding full-time when she goes back to work, and that is a completely valid decision. Combination feeding — breastfeeding at home and using formula during the day — is a practical middle ground that works very well for many families. It means you can keep the feeds that matter most to you, such as first thing in the morning and at bedtime, without the pressure of expressing throughout the working day.
If this is the direction you are heading, it is worth planning the transition gradually rather than stopping suddenly, which can be uncomfortable and increases the risk of mastitis. I work with many mothers through this process and it can be done in a way that is straightforward and comfortable for you.
Talking to Your Childminder or Creche About Breastfeeding
If your baby is going to a childminder or creche while you are at work, have a conversation with them about feeding before you start. A good childcare provider will follow your wishes — whether that is paced bottle feeding with expressed milk, formula, or a combination of both. Write down what you would like them to do. Don't assume they will know.
Frequently Asked Questions: Breastfeeding and Returning to Work in Ireland
Can I breastfeed and work full time?
Yes — many mothers do. It takes some planning around expressing at work and feeding when you are at home, but it is absolutely possible. Your body adapts to a consistent routine fairly quickly, and most mothers find it becomes much easier after the first couple of weeks back.
How long are breastfeeding breaks at work in Ireland?
You are entitled to one hour of paid breastfeeding breaks per working day for up to two years (104 weeks) after your baby's birth. You can take this as one 60-minute break, two 30-minute breaks, or three 20-minute breaks. This is in addition to your normal rest breaks, not instead of them.
Do I have to tell my employer I am breastfeeding?
Yes — you must notify your employer in writing at least four weeks before you return from maternity leave if you intend to continue breastfeeding. This protects your legal entitlements. Your employer may ask for a copy of your baby's birth certificate.
Where can I express milk at work?
Your employer must provide a clean, private space for you to breastfeed or express milk. This cannot be a toilet. If providing a proper space would cost them more than a nominal amount, they must instead allow you to reduce your working hours with no loss of pay.
How much expressed milk does my baby need while I am at work?
A useful rule of thumb is one to one and a half ounces per hour that you are away, including your commute. So if you are away for six hours in total, your baby will need roughly six to nine ounces. You do not need a large freezer stash — around one day's supply (approximately 25 oz) is enough to get you started, as what you express at work covers what your baby needs the following day.
What if my baby refuses a bottle when I go back to work?
Bottle refusal is more common than people realise and can be incredibly stressful when a return to work is looming. Introducing a bottle a few weeks before you go back gives you time to work through it without pressure. If your baby is struggling to take a bottle, a dedicated bottle feeding consultation can help — there are practical strategies that make a real difference.
Can I just breastfeed mornings and evenings and use formula during the day?
Yes — this is called combination feeding and it works well for many families. It means you can keep the feeds that matter most to you without the pressure of expressing at work. It is worth planning the transition gradually to avoid discomfort and protect your supply in the feeds you want to keep.
What if my milk supply drops when I go back to work?
Some reduction in supply is normal if you are not expressing during the day. To protect your supply, feed on demand when you are at home, express at work if you can, and stay well hydrated. If you notice a more significant drop, getting support early is always the right call.
Breastfeeding Support in Ireland When Returning to Work
Are you feeling anxious and unsure how you will continue to breastfeed when you return to work? Or maybe you are finding it difficult to juggle breastfeeding and work already? You are not alone — this is one of the most common things mothers come to me with, and it is absolutely something we can work through together.
Going back to work is a big transition, and it is okay if it feels harder than you expected. If you are struggling with any aspect of feeding — supply concerns, difficulty expressing, a baby who is unsettled by the change in routine, or simply feeling overwhelmed — please do not wait until things reach a crisis point. Early support makes a real difference.
There are a few ways I can help, depending on where you are at.
If you have a specific question or need targeted guidance, a Focused Support Session is a 45-minute online appointment designed for exactly this kind of situation. Sessions available include:
Back to Work Support — planning your return, pumping schedules, bottle amounts, feeding frequency, and the emotional side of the transition
Pumping Support — establishing or optimising a pumping routine, output concerns, and equipment guidance
Weaning Support — introducing solids and managing the shift away from milk feeds
Sleep and Feeding Patterns — understanding the relationship between feeding and sleep, and strategies for gradually involving a partner in feeding and settling
If you are dealing with something more involved, a full Breastfeeding Consultation or Bottle Feeding Consultation gives us the time and space to work through things properly.
Not sure which is right for you? Book a free 15-minute introductory call and we can figure this out together.
