If the end of your parental leave is approaching and you would like to keep giving your baby breast milk, building a little stash and a pumping routine ahead of time makes the transition so much smoother. As a Toronto IBCLC, this is one of the most common things I help Canadian moms plan. Here is a gentle, no-pressure guide.
When to start expressing
You do not need to start weeks and weeks in advance. For many moms, beginning to express around two to three weeks before going back to work is plenty of time to build a modest freezer stash and get comfortable with the pump. Starting too early can leave you managing more milk than you need; starting the day before can feel rushed. Somewhere in between tends to feel calm.
How much milk do you actually need?
Less than most moms fear. Babies do not "scale up" the way older children do — a breastfed baby usually takes roughly the same amount at each feed across the day. A small, steady stash to cover your first days back, topped up by what you pump at work, is usually all you need. You are aiming for a gentle buffer, not a chest freezer full of milk.
Building your stash without stress
- Add one short session a day. Many moms find that expressing once in the morning, when supply is often highest, builds a stash gently without disrupting feeds.
- Store in small amounts. Freezing in 60–120 ml portions means less waste — you can always thaw a second bag. Our reusable silicone storage bags lie flat in the freezer and label easily.
- Label and rotate. Date each bag and use the oldest first so nothing is forgotten at the back of the freezer.
Getting comfortable with your pump
Give yourself a few relaxed practice runs before your first day back, so the pump feels familiar rather than fiddly. A hands-free, wearable design is especially kind here: the Relievoo wearable breast pump sits inside your bra, so you can express while you eat breakfast, settle your baby or simply sit with a warm drink. Take time to find your flange size — comfort and output both improve with the right fit.
Discover the hands-free Relievoo pump
Helping your baby take a bottle
It is reassuring to know that bottle refusal in the early days is common and almost always passes. Giving your baby a few gentle practice runs with a bottle a week or two before your return — offered by your partner or caregiver rather than you — often smooths the way. Try when your baby is calm and only mildly hungry, keep the milk at body temperature, and stay patient. If your baby is having a fussy day, it is fine to set the bottle aside and try again tomorrow.
Keeping it low-stress for you
It is easy to put pressure on yourself in the run-up to going back to work. Try to remember that any amount of breast milk is a gift to your baby, and that combination feeding — some breast milk, some formula — is a perfectly good plan if that suits your family. Build in a little kindness to yourself: a stash that covers your first few days is success, not a number you need to chase. The goal is a routine that feels sustainable once you are back at your desk.
Preparing your caregiver
Whether your baby is heading to daycare, a home child-care provider or a grandparent, a quick handover helps everyone feel confident: how to thaw and warm milk gently (never in the microwave), roughly how much your baby takes, and the signs your baby is full. A portable bottle warmer can make warming a bottle gently much easier, whether at home or on the go.
Frequently asked questions
Will pumping at work hurt my supply?
Expressing at work in place of the feeds you are missing actually helps protect your supply. Aim to pump around the times your baby would normally feed.
How long does breast milk keep?
As a rough guide, freshly expressed milk keeps well in the fridge for a few days and in a home freezer for several months. Always follow current Canadian storage guidance from your public health unit, and label everything with the date.
What if my baby refuses a bottle at first?
This is common and usually temporary. Letting someone other than you offer the bottle, and trying when baby is calm rather than ravenous, often helps. Your IBCLC can offer tailored tips.
Can I mix nursing and pumping?
Absolutely — most working moms do exactly this, nursing when together and expressing when apart.
This article shares general information for Canadian families and is not medical advice. For personalized feeding support, your public health unit, family doctor, midwife or a lactation consultant (IBCLC) is always your best first call. In many provinces you can also reach a nurse by dialing 8-1-1.
