One thing I wish I had known before becoming a mom…
I wish someone had told me how hard it can be to maintain your milk supply after returning to work.
When you’re on maternity leave, your baby nurses on demand. Then suddenly you’re back at work, trying to stick to a pumping schedule between meetings, deadlines, phone calls, and everything else on your to-do list. It isn’t always easy.
There were days when I barely had time to pump, and I watched my supply dip. I remember feeling discouraged, wondering if I was doing something wrong. It took trial and error to realize that staying consistent, drinking enough water, adding an extra pump when I could, and giving myself grace made a huge difference.
I wish someone had told me that this struggle is common and that it doesn’t mean you’re failing. Breastfeeding after returning to work takes planning, flexibility, and a whole lot of determination.
So if you’re heading back to work and feeling anxious about your milk supply, you’re not alone. Be kind to yourself, advocate for the time you need to pump, and remember that every ounce you provide is something to be proud of.
I can only imagine how difficult it must be and a huge learning curve at that!!! I’m so scared to return back to work but at least I know I’m not alone and it is something I will learn over time
Just terrified of my supply dipping more than it already has
It is so incredibly true and not talked about nearly enough! The pressure to ‘do it all’ when returning to work is real, and that’s why I never did had a chance to go back to work because of that, and the mental load of scheduling pumps around meetings is exhausting. Your reminder to give ourselves grace is exactly what so many moms need to hear.
I felt the exact same way. Returning to work was one of the hardest parts of my breastfeeding journey. My supply dipped at first, but with consistency, hydration, and a little patience, I was able to get it back up. Try not to stress too much, you’ll figure out what works for you!
It really isn’t talked about enough. The transition back to work can be so overwhelming, and the mental load alone can be exhausting. No matter what our journeys look like, I think we all deserve a little more grace and a lot more support.
I feel this. When I went back to work with my first my milk dried up within 2 months. It was hard my son still wanted to nurse and ended up dry nursing which hurt
