What is it like returning to work as a self-employed breastfeeding mum?

As a freelancer I have found managing breastfeeding and returning to work a real challenge. The theme of World Breastfeeding Week this year is employment. Workplace issues remain one of the top reasons women never start or stop breastfeeding. We absolutely need to advocate for all breastfeeding parents to have access to the appropriate facilities to express or feed. In the UK we are still fighting for the right to take a break from work for pumping or feeding.

However, as a freelancer without a fixed office or even consistent hours, it’s been a tricky journey to continue breastfeeding.

Flexibility and working from home is great as a breastfeeding mum, that’s why I’m staying part time until Little One is older. Unfortunately, as I didn’t have Maternity Pay beyond the statutory government allowance I had to return to work when Little One was just 6 months old. A couple of months on, I am still regularly feeding or pumping every 3 to 4 hours.

One of the biggest barriers I’ve faced is that so many employers and colleagues simply don’t seem to understand the needs of breastfeeding parents. This in some ways reflects the positive change that due to more comphrensive maternity leave lots of UK mums can return to work when they’re feeding less frequently or have finished their breastfeeding journey.

As a freelancer I’m often visiting businesses and fitting into their day. I’ve had to spend more on an expensive small discreet breast pump rather being able to leave one at my desk. I have to ask if I can use a private space or book an additional meeting room for my pumping breaks. I forgot to do this on my first day working with a client and ended up sat in the accessible toilet which I hated.

Open plan offices and hot desking can be a nightmare as a breastfeeding mum returning to work!

Even online or remote working presents difficult situations. I make sure my camera is very much from the neck up, but I do need to turn it off occasionally to adjust or change my pump. On one occasion a client made a terse “um can we all keep our cameras on” comment forcing me to explain why I preferred not to flash the rest of the organisation when discussing my access audit.

I’ve had so many awkward conversations having to spell out that “no we can’t skip lunch or this planned break because I have to go and pump!” Breastfeeding means you need to regularly express or feed or risk serious discomfort and even agonising infections. Also I really don’t want to end up leaking through my top in front of clients or a room full of training attendees.

So what can you do to make it easier for breastfeeding parents to return to work?

Well check out the advice and resources for World Breastfeeding Week, but here are my top tips!

• Don’t skip lunch or breaks. This is good accessibility practice anyway!
• Make sure private spaces are available for pumping and let everyone know about them, including people visiting your workplace.
• Don’t force people to keep their cameras on. Again this is an inclusive practice so that colleagues can also take medication or meet other personal needs.
• Most of all, if you have a colleague returning from parental leave ask how you can best support them. This could be advocating for pumping breaks or just keeping them as well caffeinated as possible.

Learn more about World Breastfeeding Week 2023 and how you can empower parents to return to work here