Pumping at work - what do I need?

Combining breastfeeding and work is possible, and there are different ways to make it work for you and your baby. Whether you’ll express milk at work, breastfeed during your workday, or work from home sometimes, your needs will depend on your job and childcare arrangements.

• A private space: Find a room you can lock so you won’t be disturbed. It's important for you to feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible so that your milk will flow easily. If there isn’t a dedicated room, talk with your manager about using a shared space, like First Aid room, prayer room, or an unused office space. 
  If your work involves travelling around, look for nearby baby care rooms. ABA awarded Baby Care Rooms provide a comfortable, clean and welcoming place to express.
• A comfortable chair: If your workplace doesn’t have one, ask if you can bring your own.
• A fridge: You’ll need somewhere to store your expressed milk and pump kit. Keep your milk and equipment in a separate bag in the fridge if you like.
• Storage for your pump: Find a safe spot for your electric or manual breast pump.

When planning your expressing breaks, remember to allow time to:

• walk to and from the expressing room
• set up your pump
• express your milk
• transfer the milk into a storage container and label it
• clean your equipment and pack up
• put your milk in the fridge and store your equipment
• get back to your workspace

Many mums already have some kind of breast pump, but not all pumps are designed for regular, long-term use at work. If you’ll be expressing several times a day, it’s important to check that your pump is up to the job. A good quality electric breast pump—especially a hospital-grade one—will usually be the most effective and comfortable for frequent expressing.

If you’re unsure whether your current pump is right for regular expressing at work, or you’d like to compare different options, you can find more tips and guidance in our article on Choosing a breast pump.

You can also hire a pump from ABA for a while to test out a good quality pump before buying your own. ABA members receive 50% off pump hire. Learn more about ABA pump hire.

If you’re the first employee at your workplace to return while breastfeeding, this might be new for your employer. While most managers want to support you, they may not know what’s needed or how to help at first. Having an open conversation about your needs can make things easier for everyone. 

• Taking milk home: Use a cooler bag with ice bricks to keep milk cold on the way home.

• Work clothes: Choose clothes that make expressing easy. If you wear a uniform that’s a dress, talk with your employer about options. Patterned clothes or a spare top can help if you’re worried about leaks.

   

© Australian Breastfeeding Association December 2025