It’s Your Journey

Whether you’re heading back to work or school, or just adjusting to daily life and activities, breastfeeding/chestfeeding resources and support can help you along the way.

Make heading back to work or school easier with this printable Make it Work! Checklist (English & Spanish PDF). It offers tips on how to plan, what to pack, milk storage guidelines and other helpful resources. Share it with friends, family and caregivers so they can help, too. Read on for your checklist items to keep in mind: 
​Before Baby
  • Talk to human resources, your supervisor or student services about your pumping plans.
  • If your job or school has a pumping room, visit the area and ask how to use it.
  • Find out how to get a pump (through insurance or buy your own).
  • Talk to different child care providers before making a choice.
What to Pack
Note: Be sure to wash hands prior to pumping. Clean pump parts after each use. Sanitize once a day.

Need to have:
  • Breast pump
  • Milk storage bags/bottles
  • Pen to label pumped milk or labels for milk containers
  • Ice packs and insulated bag
  • Soap, breast pump wipes, or microwaveable breast pump bags to clean breast pump

Nice to have:
  • Healthy snack & water
  • An extra set of breast pads (if used)
  • Spare pump parts or batteries
Before You Go Back
  • Set up a pumping schedule with your supervisor/teachers. Your schedule may change over time, but starting out with an agreed upon schedule can help make the first few weeks back at work or school easier.
  • Offer baby a bottle once or twice a day a few weeks before you return to work or school.
    • Try paced bottle feeding so baby controls how much they are drinking. Place 2-3 ounces in a bottle, allow baby to latch, and set the pace of the feeding.
  • Many child care providers support breast/chestfeeding and are even recognized as breastfeeding friendly providers. Talk with your provider about feeding your pumped milk to your baby. (Find tips here for starting your breast/chestfed baby in child care: URL)
​Resources 
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“ I feel like the more information parents get, the better their breastfeeding journey is.”
​Employer Assistance for Breastfeeding
  • Talk to your employer before you return to work so you can plan your journey together. Most employers want to be helpful, but may not know what you need. 
  • Employers can get more information on why it’s a win for them, as well as ways to support breastfeeding/chestfeeding employees on the CT Breastfeeding Coalition website.
​
“I simply let [my employer] know that I will need time to pump, and 
everyone has been very supportive."
Breastfeeding Laws in Connecticut
There are state and federal laws that protect your right to pump or breastfeed/chestfeed your baby at work, including the following:
  • You have a right to breastfeed or pump at work: The Connecticut law on breastfeeding at work states that your employer must allow you to breastfeed/chestfeed or pump breast milk at work. There is also a federal law about breastfeeding at work.
  • Here is how the federal law works: The federal law was updated in January 2023 by the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. Now, employers of any size must provide reasonable break time and a clean, private space which cannot be a bathroom, for workers to pump while at work. This applies to both hourly and salaried employees, and it covers the majority of industries. There is an undue hardship clause for small employers, but it is very limited. The new law includes coverage for nurses, teachers, agricultural workers, managers, drivers and home care workers, among others. The break time may be paid or unpaid. The new law also allows employees to sue for damages if their rights are denied. 
  • You cannot lose your job for pumping or breastfeeding/chestfeeding at work: It is against the law to discriminate, discipline or take any action against you for exercising your rights under these laws. CT Anti-discrimination Law specifically names lactation accommodations as a protected class and provides workers the opportunity to sue for damages if their rights are denied. The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities has more information to help:  https://www.breastfeedingct.org/uploads/6/2/8/1/62815511/ss46a_pregnancy_disability_poster.pdf or https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DDS/affaction/SS46aPregnancyDisabilityPoster.pdf 

For more, download: 
Breastfeeding in CT: What are your Rights? (English PDF / Spanish, PDF) 

Or visit:
The PUMP Act explained

US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (general information) AND (frequently asked questions)

USDOL Wage and Hour Division Hartford Connecticut District Office staff are available to help you understand the requirements under the federal law (employers and employees) and to help you advocate for your rights in the workplace.
 
Address:  U.S. Department of Labor
Wage and Hour Division
135 High Street, Room 210
Hartford, CT 06103-1111
Phone:  (860) 240-4160; 1-866-4-USWAGE; (1-866-487-9243)

Child Care Toolkit

The person/people caring for your baby while you are at work (or school) are part of your support team. Talk to them about your plan, and check out these Tips for Starting your Breastfed Baby in Child Care (English PDF / Spanish, PDF), including the following: 
Before Returning to Work or School
  • Practice pumping your breasts at least 2 weeks before starting child care. Pump after the morning feeding or at other times when your breasts feel fuller.
  • Pumping takes practice. Do not be surprised or worried if you only get a little the first few times. Moms typically make ½ to 1 ounce of breast milk per hour.
  • Consider using breast massage techniques to improve your pumping sessions.
  • Ask a lactation consultant or healthcare provider who is trained in lactation for advice or tips on pumping and keeping an adequate milk supply.
  • When away from your baby, pump as often as your baby would usually nurse (or at least every 3 to 4 hours) to maintain your supply. 
Preparing Your Baby for a Bottle
  • Many breastfed babies may not be willing to eat from a bottle at first. Try to give your baby a bottle regularly for at least 2 weeks before your baby begins child care. 
  • Have someone else feed your baby from a bottle. 
  • Offer a bottle when your baby is relaxed and not quite ready for a feeding. 
  • Put a small amount of breast milk (1 to 3 ounces) in the bottle to avoid wasting milk if your baby refuses. 
  • Try warming the bottle’s nipple under warm running water to bring it to near body temperature.
  • Do not force the bottle into your baby’s mouth. Tickle your baby’s mouth gently with the bottle nipple and let your baby draw the nipple into their mouth. 
  • Practice paced bottle feeding, letting baby control the feeding pace – allow them to take breaks when needed. 
  • Watch for fullness cues – if baby is giving cues of being done, even if baby has not finished all the milk in the bottle, do not try and continue to feed. 
​Storing Breast Milk
  • Store your breast milk in small amounts (1 to 3 ounces). Your baby may not eat a large amount at one feeding and your milk is too valuable to waste! 
  • Consider freezing milk in ice cube trays and storing the cubes in breast milk storage bags for ease of thawing later. 
  • Only store breast milk in clean glass or BPA-free plastic bottles with tight fitting lids and storage bags approved for breast milk. 
  • Always label bottles and storage containers with your child’s name and the date you pumped the milk. 
  • Store milk toward the back of the refrigerator or freezer, where the temperature is more constant. 
  • Be sure to keep breast milk cold during transport to your child care provider. When using insulated coolers, keep ice packs in contact with milk containers at all times and limit how often the cooler bag is opened. 
  • Once frozen milk has begun to thaw, it cannot not be refrozen. Thawed, refrigerated breast milk must be used within 24 hours, or within 2 hours if left at room temperature. 
  • According to Connecticut child care regulations, any unused portions of breast milk not finished by your child must be thrown away as harmful bacteria can grow, making the milk unsafe.