Breastfeeding and returning to work: everything you need to know to keep going

What the law says: a right many mothers are unaware of

Returning to work is often seen as a threat to breastfeeding. Many mothers think they have to choose between going back to work or continuing to breastfeed. The reality is quite different. Continuing to breastfeed after returning to work is possible, manageable, and even protected by law in France.

Lauriane, an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant, first highlights this point: mothers have a legal right to breastfeed at work. And employers often bury this information when communicating with breastfeeding employees.

In practical terms, French law (for exemple) articles L1225-30 and following of the Labor Code) stipulates that a breastfeeding mother is entitled to one hour of breastfeeding per day during her workday. This hour can be split into two 30-minute sessions. It is unpaid, unless a more favorable provision is included in a collective bargaining agreement.

Note an important nuance: if the employer provides a dedicated breastfeeding room inside or near the workplace, these periods are reduced to two 20-minute breaks.

This right allows for two options: breastfeeding your baby directly if the co-parent can bring them to the workplace during this hour, or pumping milk to give to the baby later while they are in childcare. Article L1225-31 of the Labor Code is explicit: "The employee may breastfeed her child in the establishment."

The breastfeeding room: who is entitled to it?

This is where the law makes an important distinction. For companies with more than 100 female employees (the legal text specifically refers to women), Article R4152-13 of the Labor Code requires the employer to provide a dedicated room for breastfeeding within or near the establishment. This room must be separate from workspaces and restrooms, cleaned daily, kept at a comfortable temperature, and equipped with a water source.

For companies with fewer than 100 female employees, there is no obligation to provide a specific room. However, the employee retains her right to breastfeed or pump milk at the workplace, and the employer must allow her to rest in a lying position under suitable conditions.

If an employer with more than 100 female employees fails to comply, the labor inspectorate may issue a formal notice to install a compliant room. Criminal penalties may also apply in cases of non-compliance.

You can find the full legal text on Legifrance. It is a right, not a favor: do not hesitate to assert it.

Why continuing to pump at work is essential for maintaining milk supply

This is the fundamental mechanism to understand: if the baby drinks pumped milk while the mother is at work, but the mother does not pump in return, the stimulation is missing and milk supply will drop. It is inevitable.

Lactation always works on the same principle of supply and demand. When the baby is with a nanny or at daycare and drinking from bottles, the mother's body does not receive a stimulation signal. If the mother does not compensate by pumping at the same frequency, production will gradually decrease until it stops.

Pumping at work is therefore not just about building up a supply: it is about maintaining milk supply and continue breastfeeding in the evening, in the morning, and on weekends for as long as the mother wishes.

Logistics at work: practical tips for getting organized

The pumping space

In large companies with a dedicated room, the issue is already resolved. In other situations, it’s a matter of negotiation. More and more mothers working in open-plan offices are using portable breast pumps that slip into a nursing bra, such as the Emy Pump by Fizimed, which was specifically developed to allow for discreet pumping without needing to isolate yourself.

Lauriane points out one important detail: even with a discreet portable breast pump, it is preferable to find a quiet space if possible. Stress is the enemy of the let-down reflex. A mother who is stressed or feels watched will pump less effectively than a mother who is settled in a quiet space, even if only for 15 minutes.

Storing pumped milk at work

Two scenarios depending on the equipment available at your workplace:

If there is a refrigerator in the office : the pumped milk can be placed directly in the fridge. It can be stored for 4 to 7 days in the refrigerator according to French guidelines updated in 2024. You can bring it home in a cooler bag at the end of the day.

If there is no refrigerator : the milk can be kept in a hard-sided cooler with ice packs to maintain a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.

A practical rule: if a bottle of breast milk is not finished, the French recommendation is that it can be offered again within the following hours.

Introducing the bottle: the right time and the right nipple

When should you introduce the bottle?

There is no universally perfect time, but introducing it a few weeks before returning to work is generally recommended. This gives the baby time to get used to it gradually, without the pressure of the big day.

What type of container should you choose?

Lauriane points out that a standard bottle isn't the only option. Depending on the baby's age and development, other containers are possible and sometimes preferable: spoons, cups, beakers, or syringes. In maternity wards, small syringes or spoons are often used to give colostrum or breast milk to newborns.

For parents who wish to switch to a bottle, the choice of teat is crucial. Lauriane recommends conical, triangle-shaped teats, which mimic the shape of the breast when compressed in the baby's mouth. The vast majority of teats available on the market (flat, narrow-necked, thin) do not meet this recommendation. There are currently only two models on the market that truly meet the criteria for a conical teat.

Avoid at all costs: flat, thin, or narrow-necked teats, which prevent the baby from opening their mouth wide enough to take the teat in properly. These shapes do not mimic the anatomy of the breast and can lead to breast/bottle confusion.

Paced feeding: bottle-feeding like breastfeeding

This is a recommended technique for babies who alternate between breast and bottle. Paced feeding involves giving the bottle in a way that mimics the rhythm of a breastfeeding session: baby semi-upright, bottle held almost horizontally, and regular pauses. This approach respects the baby's self-regulation and makes switching between breast and bottle easier.

Building a supply before returning to work

Building up a supply of breast milk before returning to work is a great way to start with peace of mind. There is no need to have dozens of liters in reserve: a few days' worth is enough to feel comfortable at the start.

The recommended strategy: start pumping a little milk in addition to breastfeeding a few weeks before returning to work, choosing times when production is highest (often in the morning). Freeze these small amounts as you go to build up an initial reserve.

For support during your return to work and every step of your breastfeeding journey, check out the full series Aventure Lactée on Reflet. Breastfeeding experts guide you step-by-step, from the very beginning to weaning.

Key takeaways

• A breastfeeding mother is entitled to 1 hour of breastfeeding time per day at work (2 × 30 minutes), reduced to 2 × 20 minutes if a dedicated room is available.
• In companies with more than 100 female employees, a dedicated room with a water point is mandatory (Article R4152-13 of the Labor Code).
• In companies with fewer than 100 employees, a dedicated room is not mandatory, but the right to breastfeed on the premises remains guaranteed
• Pumping breast milk at work is essential to maintain milk supply : without regular stimulation, production decreases
• Storage: 4 to 7 days in the fridge, 24 hours in a cooler bag with an ice pack, 6 months in a chest freezer
• For bottle-feeding: opt for a conical nipple that mimics the shape of the breast compressed in the baby's mouth
• The paced feeding method makes switching between breast and bottle easier