Health and Safety Information » New Parent Guidance » Breastfeeding

Returning to Work or School

Font Size: + -
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

Begin pumping and storing your milk about two weeks before your start date. If you are going back to work full time, two weeks of pumping one time a day should give you plenty of milk stored in the freezer.

Nurse your baby just before leaving for work or school and tell your child-care provider to feed your baby about 2 hours before you will be there so that you can nurse as soon as you pick him up.

Expressing Milk at Work

California Labor Code Section 1030-1034 is a law that offers protections for all working moms so that they can continue to breastfeed even after they return to work.

Employers must provide:

  • A clean, private place, other than a bathroom to express breastmilk.
  • Reasonable break time for you to express breastmilk at work. Most mothers will need to pump 2-3 times during the work day for 20-30 minutes. If pumping takes longer than your normal break tie, your employer does not need to pay you for the extra time.

For more information about your rights under the law, or to file a complaint, contact the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.