Navigating a Short Maternity Leave: 5 Essential Tips for Breastfeeding and Pumping Moms

We can all agree that the standard 12-week maternity leave in the United States is insufficient, but what happens if you need to return to work even faster than that? Believe it or not, many moms do—some as early as three weeks postpartum. Whether it’s due to school, residency, running your own business, or other obligations, managing a shorter-than-usual maternity leave can be overwhelming. If you’re in this situation, don’t panic. In this post, I’ll share tips and tricks to help you navigate this intense time and get back to work while keeping breastfeeding or pumping goals on track.

If this sounds like your situation, my #1 piece of advice is simple: get help. You don’t have time to waste, and getting guidance can make all the difference in setting you and your baby up for success.

Let’s jump in!

(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

1. Every Day Counts—Prioritize Breastfeeding First

The best advice I can give when time is tight is to focus on breastfeeding first. While it might feel tempting to start doing everything at once, it’s vital to establish breastfeeding (if that’s one of your goals) before adding in pumping or other feeding methods. The first few days and weeks are crucial to building a good foundation.

If exclusive pumping is your plan, then, of course, jump right into that. But if nursing is a priority, put all your energy into it. The early days postpartum are already exhausting—your hormones are adjusting, your body is healing, and you’re getting to know your baby. So the fewer things you need to juggle, the better. Once you’re comfortable with breastfeeding, you can gradually incorporate pumping.

Pro tip: Don’t wait to get help. You don’t have the luxury of time, so get lactation support early and often. A local lactation consultant or pumping coach can make a world of difference in setting you on the right path.

2. Have a Focused Plan (But Allow Some Flexibility)

Planning is everything, especially with a short leave. But it’s important to balance planning with flexibility, knowing that things won’t go perfectly.

Start by taking everything non-essential off your plate. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or other household responsibilities, delegate those tasks so that you can focus solely on healing and feeding your baby. Call in favors, prep meals ahead, or rely on a partner or caregiver to take over household chores.

At the same time, allow for flexibility. You’ll be sleep-deprived, and birth recovery can be unpredictable. Leave room in your plan for rest and adjustment periods. Creating a realistic plan with room for grace is the key to managing these early days.

3. Set Realistic Expectations and Avoid Comparisons

Your story is unique, especially if you’re facing a shorter-than-average maternity leave. Stop the comparison game. If you’re back at work in just a few weeks, your experience will look different than others who have longer leaves. That’s okay.

It’s important to embrace your situation and create realistic expectations for yourself. You might have to make compromises, and that’s just the reality of a short leave. Know that you won’t be healed from birth by the time you return to work, and your life likely won’t be “together” yet. Keep your workload light when you return, and don’t hesitate to ask for accommodations like part-time work or a lighter schedule.

Managing time is one thing, but managing brain space is harder. You’ll run out of mental and emotional energy faster than time, so be kind to yourself and set expectations that reflect where you are.

4. Invest in High-Quality Support

When you’re on a tight timeline, high-quality support is a must. You’ll need all the help you can get, so line up resources before your baby arrives. If possible, invest in expert help: a birth doula, nanny, lactation consultant, or pumping coach.

If budget is a concern, prioritize what’s most important to you and focus your resources there. For example, if breastfeeding is a top goal, prioritize a lactation consultant early on. Insurance often covers lactation support, so make sure you maximize those benefits. Additionally, asking family and friends to help by gifting services (like a diaper service or postpartum doula) instead of more traditional baby gifts is another great option.

Having high-quality support can make all the difference, so don’t skimp here—this time is too precious, and you won’t get it back.

5. Plan for Grace and Flexibility When Things Go Sideways

Let’s be real—things will go wrong. Whether breastfeeding is slower to establish than you thought, birth recovery takes longer than expected, or life throws a curveball (like my own experience with an emergency appendectomy for my son on my due date!), nothing ever goes perfectly to plan.

Be ready to roll with the punches. Have a plan in place, but give yourself grace when things go sideways. Life happens, and being flexible will help you manage the chaos without feeling like you’re failing.

Final Thoughts

Every day counts when you’re on a short maternity leave. Start early, focus on feeding, and line up the support you need before you’re in the thick of it. Most importantly, give yourself grace and understand that even though your journey looks different, you’re doing what’s best for you and your family.

If you’re planning to pump and head back to work soon, and you want long-term coaching and support, we’re here to help. You can apply to join our Pumping for Working Moms program for expert guidance throughout your journey. And if you’re still in the planning phase and want help before your baby arrives, feel free to reach out.