I see a lot of mothers for breastfeeding support in the early days. When I ask parents if there is anything else they would like to talk about at the end of the appointment ,the thing that comes up most frequently is returning to work. It's wonderful that so many women are thinking about breastfeeding for longer but it can be very daunting. The good news is that entitlement to take breastfeeding breaks under the Work Life Balance Act 2023 has been expanded. Let's break it down.

Expanded Breastfeeding Break Entitlements:

Previously you were entitled to breastfeeding breaks up until your baby was six months old. However the vast majority of women are on maternity leave for the first six months. Now it's great to see that breastfeeding break entitlements have been expanded up to your child's second birthday.

For every 8 hours of work you now have 1 hour as part of your paid working day for a breastfeeding break. You can use it in one 60-minute break, two 30 minute or three 20 minute breaks. How your 1 hour entitlement is structured will need to be negotiated with your employer.

Workplace Flexibility:

If your employer can provide suitable facilities you can either have your baby brought to you and feed them in the workplace or you can express your milk. If your place of work cannot provide the facilities for one of these options then you can negotiate using that hour to reduce your working day. That could be coming in later, leaving earlier or a mixture of both.

Key Points to Note:

The entitlement does not affect regular breaks, including lunch breaks.
Salaries remain unaffected.
For part-time workers, entitlements are calculated proportionally.

This is a great move forward by the government to support women to breastfeed. Once a mother has been breastfeeding for six months the possibility of continuing to breastfeeding and returning to work with the right support seems much more attainable.

Continuing to breastfeed when you go back to work isn't a black or white situation. Some women will want to express their milk and have their child care provider give it. Other women might breastfeed their baby in the morning before they leave and give formula and solids during the day. There are lots of different options to keep providing breastmilk for your baby.

Knowing that there is a statutory entitlement to support you to continue to breastfeed eases the perceived pressure of going back to work. Employers are going to have to look at setting up facilities to support the legislation implementation. Things to think about include providing a private room, a fridge, storage for pump parts, a comfortable chair, a power point, a sink, baby changing facilities. Companies could work together for example a shopping center or business park where there is one room shared by a cluster of businesses for their breastfeeding employees.

Addressing Concerns and Decision-making:

I have spoken to women who have automatically assumed that they would have to stop breastfeeding because of going back to work. Having a conversation about whether or not you are ready to stop, or with the right support would you prefer to continue is important. There are lots of things to think about as people's jobs, schedules and employment facilities can be vastly different.

Practical Tips for Back-to-Work Breastfeeding Success:

Plan Ahead:

Before returning to work, talk to your employer about your intention to continue breastfeeding.
Think about what will work for you that aligns with your work hours to maintain a consistent milk supply.

Know Your Rights:

Familiarise yourself with the Maternity Protection Act to ensure that your employer is providing the legally mandated breaks and facilities for expressing milk.

Create a Comfortable Space:

Work with your employer to establish a private, comfortable, and clean space for feeding your baby or expressing milk.
Organise your equipment. This could include for example a breast pump, storage containers, and any other accessories you may need.

Educate Your Workplace:

Share information about the benefits of breastfeeding and the legal rights of breastfeeding mothers with your colleagues and supervisors.
Foster a supportive environment that understands and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding mothers.

Build a Support System:

Connect with other working mothers who have successfully navigated back-to-work breastfeeding for advice and encouragement.
Link in with local support groups and online communities to share experiences and seek guidance. Cuidiu, La Leche League and Friends of Breastfeeding run Online Support Groups, evening and weekend meetups.

Navigating the transition back to work while breastfeeding is now made more accessible with recent legislative advancements and workplace accommodations. By proactively planning, understanding your rights, and fostering a supportive environment, you can confidently continue breastfeeding with a flexible approach that works for you. If you're seeking personalised guidance for your return to work, consider booking an appointment for a comprehensive plan.

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