If you’re staring at a breast pump late at night and wondering how this is meant to work once you’re back at work, you’re not alone.

Returning to work while breastfeeding is one of the most common and least supported transitions in early motherhood. It’s practical, emotional and deeply personal. Many mums feel caught between feeding their baby, returning to their role at work and trying to hold onto a sense of themselves in the process.

In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White offers a calm, evidence-informed conversation about what this transition really looks like. Not the Instagram version. The real one. With practical guidance, emotional reassurance and permission to do this in a way that works for you and your family.

Renee explores the realities of combining breastfeeding and paid work, including the systemic gaps that make it harder than it needs to be. She shares practical strategies to prepare before you return, alongside gentle reminders that there is no single right way to feed or work.

This episode is about clarity, choice and giving yourself room to adapt as your needs change.

You’ll hear about:

How to talk to your workplace about expressing, your rights and the space you need
When to introduce bottles, and what to try if your baby won’t take one
Setting up a pumping and feeding rhythm that actually fits your workday
What usually happens to supply when you go back, and why small dips are common
The emotional load of this season, and why guilt, grief and relief can all show up at once

Success isn’t about how long you breastfeed or how often you pump. It’s finding what works for your body, your baby, your work and your mind, and letting that be enough. You don’t have to nail it on day one. You’re allowed to tweak, change your mind and ask for support as you go.

Resources & Links

📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_

🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services

🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies

✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village.

If this episode helped, share it with a mum who needs a break but doesn’t want the chaos. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. 💛

Disclaimer

The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

Ep 212. Returning to Work While Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mums Who Want to Keep Feeding