Introduction to Returning to Work in Ireland
In my Dublin clinic, I've had the pleasure of working with numerous mums who are preparing to return to work after maternity leave. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), I understand the challenges that come with balancing work and breastfeeding. According to the HSE — Breastfeeding, breastfeeding is an important part of a baby's development, and it's great to see so many mums in Ireland committed to continuing breastfeeding after returning to work. If you're a breastfeeding mum looking for support, you can contact the cuidiú helpline on 01 814 0821 or the HSE's breastfeeding support line on 1800 411 411.
A mum I worked with last month at a cuidiú group in Rathmines was concerned about how she would manage breastfeeding when she returned to work at a busy office in the IFSC. She was worried about finding a private space to express milk and how she would store her expressed milk. I advised her on the importance of communicating with her employer and colleagues about her needs as a breastfeeding mum and recommended the TheRelievoo Wearable Pump, which is a hospital-grade, hands-free wearable pump that is under 35 dB, making it perfect for discreet pumping in the workplace. She was relieved to find that her employer was supportive and willing to provide a private room for her to express milk.
I remember one mum who was returning to work as a teacher in a busy Dublin school. She was worried about how she would express milk during her lunch break, but we worked out a plan for her to use a portable breast pump in the staff room. She was able to express milk quickly and easily, and then store it in a cool bag with ice packs to keep it fresh until she got home. She was thrilled to be able to continue breastfeeding her baby, and her employer was supportive of her needs as a breastfeeding mum.
Preparing for Your Return to Work
Return to Work Program Ireland
Before returning to work, it's essential to have a plan in place for continuing breastfeeding. This includes discussing your needs with your employer, finding a private space to express milk, and investing in a good breast pump. The HSE — Breastfeeding website provides guidance on how to express and store breastmilk, which is helpful for mums who are returning to work. You can also contact the HSE's breastfeeding support line on 1800 411 411 for personalized advice and support.
Return to Work Scheme Ireland
The Irish government has implemented various schemes to support mums returning to work, including the Return to Work Scheme. This scheme provides financial support to mums who are returning to work after a period of unemployment. You can contact the Department of Social Protection on 1890 800 024 to learn more about the scheme and to see if you're eligible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Returning to Work
Return to Work Jobs Ireland
One common mistake that mums make when returning to work is not having a plan in place for continuing breastfeeding. This can lead to a decrease in milk supply and make it difficult to continue breastfeeding. It's essential to research return to work jobs in Ireland that are breastfeeding-friendly and to discuss your needs with your employer. You can also check out the cuidiú website for tips and advice on returning to work as a breastfeeding mum.
Return to Work Form Ireland
Another mistake that mums make is not completing the necessary paperwork, such as the return to work form, which is required by the Irish government. This form is used to notify the government that you are returning to work and to claim any benefits that you may be entitled to. You can contact the Department of Social Protection on 1890 800 024 to learn more about the form and to get help with completing it.
How to Balance Work and Breastfeeding
Return to Work Certificate Ireland
Once you have returned to work, it's essential to have a plan in place for balancing work and breastfeeding. This includes finding a private space to express milk, investing in a good breast pump, and storing your expressed milk safely. The HSE — Breastfeeding website provides guidance on how to express and store breastmilk, which is helpful for mums who are returning to work. You can also check out the cuidiú website for tips and advice on balancing work and breastfeeding.
Women Returning to Work Ireland
According to the Central Statistics Office Ireland, many women in Ireland return to work after maternity leave. It's essential for these women to have a plan in place for continuing breastfeeding and to know their rights as breastfeeding mums in the workplace. You can contact the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission on 01 858 9600 to learn more about your rights as a breastfeeding mum.
Return to Work Programmes Ireland
Return to Work Courses Ireland
There are various return to work courses in Ireland that can help mums to balance work and breastfeeding. These courses provide guidance on how to express and store breastmilk, how to find a private space to express milk, and how to communicate with your employer and colleagues about your needs as a breastfeeding mum. You can also check out the cuidiú website for tips and advice on returning to work as a breastfeeding mum.
Return to Work Interview Ireland
When attending a return to work interview in Ireland, it's essential to be prepared to discuss your needs as a breastfeeding mum. This includes discussing your plan for continuing breastfeeding, finding a private space to express milk, and investing in a good breast pump. You can practice your responses to common interview questions and prepare any materials you may need, such as a breast pump or storage bags for expressed milk.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, returning to work in Ireland as a breastfeeding mum can be challenging, but with the right guidance and tools, you can balance work and breastfeeding with ease. I recommend checking out our blog post on Spectra Pump Ireland: A Comprehensive Comparison with TheRelievoo to learn more about the best breast pumps for working mums. The TheRelievoo Wearable Pump is a great option for mums who are looking for a discreet and efficient way to express milk in the workplace. With its hospital-grade, hands-free design and under 35 dB noise level, it's perfect for mums who want to balance work and breastfeeding with ease. And with our current offer of €109.90, which is a significant discount from the original price of €219.90, it's an affordable option for mums who are returning to work.
As a trusted brand, we offer free An Post tracked delivery across Ireland, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a lifetime warranty on our products. With a 4.8★ rating from Irish mums, you can trust that you're getting a high-quality product that will meet your needs. If you have any questions or need further support, you can contact us on 01 234 5678 or email us at info@therelievoo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: How does tax return work in Ireland?
Revenue.ie provides guidance on how to complete a tax return in Ireland. You can also contact the Revenue Commissioners on 1890 20 30 40 for further support. -
Q: How does bottle return work in Ireland?
RPMA.ie provides guidance on how to return bottles in Ireland. You can also contact the Recycling Partnership on 01 461 0711 for further information. -
Q: How do Amazon returns work in Ireland?
Amazon.ie provides guidance on how to return items in Ireland. You can also contact Amazon customer service on 0800 279 7234 for further support. -
Q: How to get a job and move to Ireland?
Citizensinformation.ie provides guidance on how to get a job and move to Ireland. You can also contact the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 1890 20 30 70 for further information. -
Q: How does return work Ireland?
The HSE — Breastfeeding website provides guidance on how to express and store breastmilk, which is helpful for mums who are returning to work in Ireland. You can also contact the HSE's breastfeeding support line on 1800 411 411 for personalized advice and support. -
Q: What are the best breast pumps for working mums in Ireland?
TheRelievoo Wearable Pump is a great option for working mums in Ireland, with its hospital-grade, hands-free design and under 35 dB noise level. Other popular options include Elvie, Medela, and Spectra. You can check out our blog post on Spectra Pump Ireland: A Comprehensive Comparison with TheRelievoo to learn more about the best breast pumps for working mums.
Written by Aoife Byrne, IBCLC
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (Dublin, Ireland)
Aoife is an IBCLC and mum of two based in Dublin. Since 2018 she has supported 500+ Irish families with breastfeeding, expressing and the return-to-work transition, and writes all TheRelievoo Ireland guides in-house with the product team. She is a member of the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland (ALCI) and volunteers with cuidiú.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Niamh O'Sullivan, MB BCh BAO, MICGP (Dublin)
