Wsparcie dla Ciebie i Twojej rodziny
Posiadanie rodziny to fantastyczne doświadczenie życiowe, jednak czasami może być wyzwaniem, co może czasami stanowić obciążenie dla wszystkich członków rodziny.
W tej sekcji znajdziesz wskazówki, jak zachować zdrowie i gdzie zwrócić się o pomoc, gdy sytuacja wydaje się wyzwaniem.
Information for employers
Returning to work after maternity leave can bring mixed emotions for mothers, from excitement to see colleagues to anxiety about balancing work, childcare, breastfeeding, and milk expression routines.
Offering support in the workplace for employees who are breastfeeding and expressing milk ensures a smoother return to work for everyone involved. As an employer, there are several ways you can support your employees:
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Provide a policy for employees who breastfeed or express milk: Inform your employees about your policy before they start their maternity leave to set clear expectations. The policy could be a specific breastfeeding policy, or it could be a section within the maternity policy. (link to sample policy)
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Arrange a pre-return-to-work meeting: Discuss your employee’s needs and how you can support them.
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Allow flexible breaks: Employees need to express milk about every 3 hours, or two to three times during a typical workday. Each session takes around 15 minutes, plus time to go to and from the room.
Additionally, there are legal obligations you need to follow:
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Consult HSE guidelines on protecting new mothers.
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Conduct risk assessments for breastfeeding/expressing employees.
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Adjust work conditions and hours if risks are identified.
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Provide a clean, warm, private and lockable room (not a toilet) for expressing or breastfeeding, with a place to lie down if needed.
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Provide refrigeration to store expressed milk.
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Protect from harassment and discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
It's important to remember that women choose to breastfeed for varying lengths of time, and there's no specific age when a baby no longer needs to breastfeed. The NHS in the UK recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding until two years old or beyond, or for as long as the mother wishes.
The support a mother needs when returning to work with a baby under six months old may differ from the support needed when the baby is 12 months old. Every baby is different, so flexibility and open communication are essential.
Benefits of breastfeeding
For Babies:
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Good Nutrition: Breast milk provides the perfect balance of nutrients needed for a baby’s growth and development
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Immune Support: Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect babies from infections and illnesses
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Reduced Risk of Diseases: Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
For Mothers:
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Health Benefits: Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure
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Bonding: The act of breastfeeding helps strengthen the emotional bond between mother and baby
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Convenience: Breastfeeding is convenient and cost-effective, as it requires no preparation and is always available
Click here to view this information as a printable pdf.
Information for employees
Returning to work after maternity leave can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety. Balancing work, childcare, breastfeeding, and milk expression routines can be stressful and worrying.
If you are breastfeeding or expressing milk and want to continue, you can and it's important to let your employer know so they can support you. Here’s how your employer can help:
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Know Your Rights: You have the right to breastfeed or express milk at work. There are legal guidelines your employer will need to follow. For further information Consult HSE guidelines on protecting new mothers.
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Duty of Care: Employers must protect the health and safety of all employees. While breastfeeding, you and your baby have special protections under the same regulations as pregnant employees.
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Breastfeeding/Expressing Milk Policy: Ask your employer if they have a clear policy to support breastfeeding and expressing milk. Reading it before you go on maternity leave can help you understand what to expect and set clear expectations. The policy could be a specific breastfeeding policy, or it could be a section within the maternity policy.
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Informing Your Employer: It is important that you write to your employer before you return to work and let them know that you are breastfeeding and/or expressing milk and need support.
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Pre-Return Meeting: Arrange a meeting with your employer before you return to discuss your needs and how they can support you.
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Flexible Breaks: You can take breaks to express milk or breastfeed. Typically, you’ll need to express milk every 3 hours, with each session taking about 15 minutes.
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Private Space: Ask for a clean, warm, private and lockable room (not a toilet) for you to express milk or breastfeed, with a place to lie down if needed.
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Storage: Ask for refrigeration space to store your expressed milk safely.
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Protection from Harassment: You are protected from harassment and discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
Further advice and support
Click here to view this information as a printable pdf.