When mothers return to work from my maternity leave, they want to be good employees while also providing for their new baby. Health care providers universally agree that breastfeeding is one of the most important things she can do for her and her baby’s health. A clean, private space and a little extra break time to express milk for her baby during the workday will allow her to provide milk for her baby while they are apart. This helps the company by lowering health care costs and absenteeism. These simple, temporary accommodations will make it easier for her to give her best to her baby and her company.
Tool 5: Template for Lactation and Work Plan
RETURN TO WORK. Options for returning mothers to return to work gradually, so her baby and she can adjust to being apart:
☐ Working part-time for a while
☐ Working a flexible schedule
☐ Working from home
☐ Other ideas:________________________
TIME. She will need to express her milk every 2-3 hours at work for around 20 minutes each time, not counting time to get to the lactation area. If more time than her usual break is needed, she will be allowed to compensate for lost time by:
☐ Coming in early to make up the time
☐ Staying later in the day to make up the time
☐ Taking unpaid time
☐ Other ideas:__________________________
PLACE. She will need a clean, private area where she can safely express her milk during the nursing breaks. A bathroom is not an appropriate place and is not hygienic. The area should also be near her work station, and ideally near a sink and refrigerator. The space needs to be large enough for a chair and a flat surface for the pump. One of these places can be designated
☐ The private office of a manager or supervisor
☐ The private office of a coworker
☐ A conference or meeting room
☐ A small area not in use much that can be secured for privacy
☐ Other ideas: __________________________
SUPPORT. Support from the supervisor and coworkers will help her feel relaxed and confident. Research has shown this makes milk expression more efficient, and increases employee loyalty, retention and team building.
EDUCATION. New parent and breastfeeding classes or support group meetings should be scheduled and held regularly to increase awareness and acceptance.
Blog » Tool 5: Template for Lactation and Work Plan
Tool 5: Template for Lactation and Work Plan
When mothers return to work from my maternity leave, they want to be good employees while also providing for their new baby. Health care providers universally agree that breastfeeding is one of the most important things she can do for her and her baby’s health. A clean, private space and a little extra break time to express milk for her baby during the workday will allow her to provide milk for her baby while they are apart. This helps the company by lowering health care costs and absenteeism. These simple, temporary accommodations will make it easier for her to give her best to her baby and her company.
RETURN TO WORK. Options for returning mothers to return to work gradually, so her baby and she can adjust to being apart:
☐ Working part-time for a while
☐ Working a flexible schedule
☐ Working from home
☐ Other ideas:________________________
TIME. She will need to express her milk every 2-3 hours at work for around 20 minutes each time, not counting time to get to the lactation area. If more time than her usual break is needed, she will be allowed to compensate for lost time by:
☐ Coming in early to make up the time
☐ Staying later in the day to make up the time
☐ Taking unpaid time
☐ Other ideas:__________________________
PLACE. She will need a clean, private area where she can safely express her milk during the nursing breaks. A bathroom is not an appropriate place and is not hygienic. The area should also be near her work station, and ideally near a sink and refrigerator. The space needs to be large enough for a chair and a flat surface for the pump. One of these places can be designated
☐ The private office of a manager or supervisor
☐ The private office of a coworker
☐ A conference or meeting room
☐ A small area not in use much that can be secured for privacy
☐ Other ideas: __________________________
SUPPORT. Support from the supervisor and coworkers will help her feel relaxed and confident. Research has shown this makes milk expression more efficient, and increases employee loyalty, retention and team building.
EDUCATION. New parent and breastfeeding classes or support group meetings should be scheduled and held regularly to increase awareness and acceptance.