Breastfeeding and returning to work

Returning to work after having a baby can be a challenging time and there are lots of things that employers can and should do to support new mums - particularly if they want to continue to breastfeed. If you want to continue to breastfeed after you return to work, it helps to ensure that your employer has:

• a Breastfeeding Policy Statement for employees to support staff who are breastfeeding and returning to work.
• a clear statement or policy supporting breastfeeding for visitors if your organisation is accessible to members of the public.
• facilities for women who want to express milk at work or breastfeed in private at the premises.
• made sure employees are aware of their entitlements regarding breaks for breastfeeding or expressing.

What responsibilities does your employer have?

Health and Safety at Work legislation provides protection for breastfeeding. Employers should not interfere with a woman's ability to continue breastfeeding. Risk assessments should be carried out to find out whether there are any changes that need to be made to the work environment.

For women who want to express breastmilk at work, employers should provide a clean, private room, preferably with an electrical socket and a fridge where breastmilk can be stored safely.

The International Labour Organisation's Maternity Protection Convention states that women should be entitled to one or more breastfeeding breaks during the working day or a daily reduction of hours of work to breastfeed without loss of pay. These provisions have been enacted in some European countries such as Portugal. See Article 10 of the Maternity Protection Convention.

It is very helpful to have a Breastfeeding Policy Statement for employees. This makes the organisation's position clear to all employees and shows commitment and support from the employer (see the resources below).

It's important to display a clear statement of support for breastfeeding for visitors. Notices should make clear that breastfeeding is welcome throughout the premises. Notices should highlight any private facilities available for breastfeeding mothers and babies who may prefer this, but should not imply that women must use these facilities or hide the fact that they are breastfeeding.

Legal position

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 are designed to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers who work. They state that it is for women to decide how long they wish to breastfeed; ‘returning to work does not mean women have to stop breastfeeding.’ (Health and Safety Executive: A guide for new and expectant mothers who work).

Mums who breastfeed need a clean, private place to express and store their milk. Employers are legally required to provide suitable rest facilities for workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recommends to employers that it is good practice to provide a private, healthy and safe environment for nursing mothers to express and store milk. Employers should also undertake a risk assessment to ensure there are no work-related risks to mother and baby.

Helpful resources

Healthtalkonline.org: women's experiences of breastfeeding and working

HSE: A guide for new and expectant mothers who work

Breastfeeding at work: information for employees and employers

HSE guide for health professionals advising employers on breastfeeding

Direct Gov resources on parental leave