Advice from NHS midwife and Momcozy Ambassador Marie Louise – plus the products that make it possible
Returning to work after having a baby is one of the biggest transitions a mother will face. There’s the emotional shift, the practical juggle, and (if you’re breastfeeding!) the very real challenge of maintaining your milk supply alongside a full working day. If the thought of it feels daunting, you’re certainly not alone. NHS midwife, author and Momcozy Ambassador Marie Louise has spent years supporting new mothers through this exact stage. Speaking at the AllBright Step Forward 2026 summit as part of her partnership with Momcozy for International Women’s Day, she shared some reassuring advice, and a few things she believes every mum should know before returning to work.
Know your rights
One of the biggest surprises for many mothers is that workplace support for breastfeeding isn’t simply a nice gesture, it’s a legal right. In the UK, breastfeeding mothers are entitled to a private space at work to express milk. Crucially, this shouldn’t be the toilet, but a clean and comfortable area where you can pump in privacy.
“A lot of women simply don’t know this,” says Marie Louise. “And a lot of employers don’t always bring it up themselves.”
If your workplace hasn’t discussed this with you ahead of your return, Marie Louise encourages mothers to raise the conversation confidently.
“Own your autonomy. Own your rights,” she says – a philosophy she applies both in the birth room and the workplace.
The practical reality of pumping at work
Even when you have the space to pump, the logistics can still feel overwhelming – particularly if you’re using a traditional pump that keeps you tethered to a wall socket.
Milk supply works on a biological rhythm, so when your body is ready to express, it can be difficult to focus on anything else until you do.
That’s where newer wearable pumps can make a real difference. The Momcozy Air 1, for example, is designed to sit discreetly inside a nursing bra, meaning you can pump without needing to step away from your day.
“I care for lots of mums who pump while they’re in meetings, answering emails or even on Teams calls,” says Marie Louise. “Having that kind of flexibility can be incredibly helpful.”
At just 2.4 inches thin, the pump fits invisibly under clothing and runs quietly, while a transparent top panel allows you to check positioning and milk volume without interrupting your session. The accompanying app tracks pumping sessions and sends alerts when the collector is full, while a wireless charging case provides up to 15 sessions on a single charge – roughly a working week.
The part nobody talks about: the washing up
One aspect of pumping that often catches mothers off guard is the amount of washing involved. Bottles, pump parts, valves and milk collectors all need to be cleaned and sterilised daily — which can quickly add up during an already busy routine.
Tools like the Momcozy KleanPal Pro Baby Bottle Washer and Steriliser are designed to simplify the process by automatically washing, sterilising and drying bottles, pump parts and baby tableware in one cycle. A rapid wash takes just 19 minutes, while a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter helps keep everything sterile for up to 72 hours.
For many parents, it’s a small change that can free up valuable time (and mental space!) during a demanding stage of life.
Recovery matters too
Of course, returning to work is only part of the journey. Before that moment arrives, your body needs time to recover from birth – something that can have a significant impact on everything that follows, from feeding to sleep. Products designed for postpartum recovery can help support those early weeks at home, when rest and healing should be the priority.
Marie Louise also encourages mothers to embrace the fact that returning to work after a baby can bring a shift in identity.
Research suggests the maternal brain undergoes significant neurological changes during pregnancy – a process known as matrescence. These changes can enhance emotional awareness, instincts and decision-making.
You’re not the same person – and that’s okay
“Rather than trying to fight that identity shift,” she says, “lean into understanding yourself better.”
If your workplace isn’t offering the support you need, she suggests opening up the conversation – framing it as a collaborative way to find solutions that work for everyone.
And if the environment simply doesn’t value what you bring? That moment of reflection, she says, can sometimes be the start of something new.
The bottom line
Returning to work as a breastfeeding mum isn’t always easy. But with the right information, supportive conversations and practical tools, it can become far more manageable — allowing mothers to balance both worlds with greater confidence.
This is a Paid Partnership with Momcozy
