{"id":381,"date":"2020-11-12T13:28:53","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T13:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/134.122.102.56\/SAND\/uk\/?post_type=employer&p=381"},"modified":"2021-06-09T12:58:56","modified_gmt":"2021-06-09T11:58:56","slug":"breastfeeding-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"employer","link":"https:\/\/path-perinatal.eu\/uk\/employer\/breastfeeding-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Parents are encouraged to breastfeed their babies as this can help the child\u2019s gut development and has many physical and psychological benefits.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Organisations such as UNICEF, a baby friendly initiative, are leading a campaign to increase breastfeeding in the UK. Employers can help with this by providing a private room that a mother can express her milk in, as well as a separate fridge to store the milk.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What does the law say?<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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There is no legal obligation for you to provide breastfeeding breaks, however, you must provide suitable facilities where pregnant workers and breastfeeding mothers can rest.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“Where necessary, the rest area should include somewhere for them to lie down. New and expectant mothers are entitled to more frequent rest breaks so you should discuss this with them, agreeing on their timing and frequency.<\/p>

Toilets are not a suitable place for new mothers to express milk. You may choose to provide a separate private environment where your employee can safely both express and store milk, though you are not legally obliged to do so.”<\/em><\/p>

<\/p>The Health and Safety Executive: Protecting new and expectant mothers at work – Rest and breastfeeding at work (hse.gov.uk)<\/a><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What are the benefits of supporting breastfeeding?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It is good practice to support breastfeeding at work. Some examples of the benefits to your organisation are:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n