Planning to Return to Work
Paid & Unpaid Leave
Maternity Leave
American Pregnancy Association "It is important to plan your maternity leave so that you and your family do not experience any unexpected financial challenges and you can make the most of your time with your baby." Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) U.S. Department of Labor "The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave." How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace if You’re Suffering From Postpartum Depression Huffington Post "We’ve made years of progress with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since it was enacted 24 years ago, though not all people protected by the law know about their rights. Luckily, the new pregnancy discrimination federal guidelines released just last week highlight protection for pregnant employees under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA) and the ADA." (Published in 2014) |
Preparing to Return to Work
What the Law Says About Breastfeeding and Work
"The federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law requires employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide basic accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at work. These accommodations include time for women to express milk and a private space that is not a bathroom each time they need to pump. Learn more about what is required of employers and what employees need to know."
Working and Breastfeeding
La Leche League International
This webpage has very comprehensive information on returning to work, including making the workplace breastfeeding friendly, introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby, pumping and storing milk, and how to navigate the first few days back at work.
Resources: Working & Pumping Tips - Tips for moms who work & pump
KellyMom.com
Breast Milk Storage & Handling
KellyMom.com
This webpage has a simple table to help you understand how to safely handle and store your pumped breastmilk.
How much expressed milk will my baby need?
KellyMom.com
This webpage contains useful information on how much milk babies need every day before and after introducing solid foods, and also has a calculator to help you plan for the amount of milk your baby will need while you're away.
Returning to Work After Baby
Best Start
This free digital handbook was written specifically for families in the Ontario, Canada area, but has useful tips and considerations that may be beneficial for families all over Canada and the U.S.A.
Making It Work; a Good Morning Routine
La Leche League International
Mama’s First Day: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
Zero to Three
"The federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law requires employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide basic accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at work. These accommodations include time for women to express milk and a private space that is not a bathroom each time they need to pump. Learn more about what is required of employers and what employees need to know."
Working and Breastfeeding
La Leche League International
This webpage has very comprehensive information on returning to work, including making the workplace breastfeeding friendly, introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby, pumping and storing milk, and how to navigate the first few days back at work.
Resources: Working & Pumping Tips - Tips for moms who work & pump
KellyMom.com
Breast Milk Storage & Handling
KellyMom.com
This webpage has a simple table to help you understand how to safely handle and store your pumped breastmilk.
How much expressed milk will my baby need?
KellyMom.com
This webpage contains useful information on how much milk babies need every day before and after introducing solid foods, and also has a calculator to help you plan for the amount of milk your baby will need while you're away.
Returning to Work After Baby
Best Start
This free digital handbook was written specifically for families in the Ontario, Canada area, but has useful tips and considerations that may be beneficial for families all over Canada and the U.S.A.
Making It Work; a Good Morning Routine
La Leche League International
Mama’s First Day: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
Zero to Three
Finding Quality Childcare
Childcare and the Breastfed Baby
KellyMom.com
Resources on childcare and breastfeeding for both moms and childcare providers.
Childcare.gov
This website provides resources for finding and paying for quality childcare, such as state subsidy programs, and includes a search bar that links to child care websites by state.
Quality Checklist for Choosing Child Care
American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Choose Quality Child Care
Zero to Three
Head Start
"Head Start promotes school readiness of children under 5 from low-income families through education, health, social and other services."
KellyMom.com
Resources on childcare and breastfeeding for both moms and childcare providers.
Childcare.gov
This website provides resources for finding and paying for quality childcare, such as state subsidy programs, and includes a search bar that links to child care websites by state.
Quality Checklist for Choosing Child Care
American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Choose Quality Child Care
Zero to Three
Head Start
"Head Start promotes school readiness of children under 5 from low-income families through education, health, social and other services."