Feeding guide

Expressing milk
and returning to work

Returning to work does not automatically mean that breastfeeding or providing expressed milk has to stop. The right arrangement depends on your baby, your milk supply, working pattern, travel, childcare and what feels sustainable for you.

Start with the feeding pattern you want to keep

Some parents breastfeed before and after work and use expressed milk or formula during the day. Others express at work, work flexibly or combine several approaches. There is no single schedule that suits every family.

Practise before the first working day

A short trial can help you learn how your body responds to the pump, how long expressing and cleaning take, how your baby manages feeds with their carer and how milk will be transported and stored. It can be easier to adjust the plan before work begins.

Expressing is a skill

Milk can be expressed by hand or with a manual or electric pump. Comfort and effective pump fit matter. Pump output varies between sessions and does not directly measure your total milk supply.

Store expressed milk safely

Current NHS guidance says breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container or breast-milk storage bag. It can be kept in a fridge at 4°C or colder for up to eight days; if you are unsure of the fridge temperature or it is warmer than 4°C, use it within three days. It can be frozen at −18°C or colder for up to six months.

Label and date stored milk, transport cooled milk in a cool bag with ice packs, and do not use a microwave to heat or defrost it. Follow different instructions given by your baby’s hospital or clinical team where applicable.

Discuss workplace arrangements early

For workers in Great Britain, Health and Safety Executive guidance says employers must provide a suitable area where pregnant workers and breastfeeding mothers can rest. It should be hygienic and private so milk can be expressed; toilets are not suitable; and it should include somewhere to store milk, such as a fridge. Tell your employer in writing that you are breastfeeding and discuss breaks, privacy, washing, storage and any workplace risks before returning. Employment law and guidance differ in Northern Ireland, so use nidirect guidance there.

Common questions

Frequently asked
questions.

How much milk should I store before returning?

There is no universal target. It depends on your baby’s age and feeding pattern, your time apart, what they will be offered and how often you expect to express.

Do I have to stop breastfeeding during working days?

No. Some families breastfeed before and after work and use expressed milk or formula while apart. Your arrangement can be shaped around your working and childcare pattern.

Does my employer have to provide pumping breaks?

In Great Britain there is no general statutory right to paid pumping breaks. Employers do have health-and-safety duties, and a refusal to make reasonable arrangements may raise discrimination issues. Discuss arrangements early and get ACAS or independent employment advice if a dispute arises. Different guidance applies in Northern Ireland.

What if my pumping output falls at work?

Review pump fit, comfort, timing, opportunities to express and the wider feeding pattern. Output from individual sessions varies; seek feeding or healthcare support if you are concerned about supply or your baby’s intake.

Evidence and further reading

Sources used for this guide

Health guidance changes over time. These direct links lead to the official sources reviewed for this page.

This guide provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or emergency care.