Breastfeeding and Returning to Work - Press Release 30th November 2010

The Breastfeeding Network welcomes Government proposals to help breastfeeding mothers return to work

Welcoming the Government’s proposals to support working mothers to breastfeed for longer, Marianne Monie, Chair of the Breastfeeding Network – an independent, UK-wide voluntary organisation offering support and information to breastfeeding mums and those involved in their care, said:

“We are very pleased to see moves to support working Mums to continue breastfeeding. We know that returning to work is a barrier to some mums continuing to breastfeed, especially those who work full-time or do not have access to facilities to breastfeed or express milk at work”

“Continuing to breastfeed whilst working can be done in many different ways and it would be great if the Government encourages employers to support working mums to do this, it is good for their health and their baby’s and needn’t cost employers. Breastfed babies are less likely to be ill and recover faster if they do get sick, so their parents may need less time off work to look after them.

“Combining breastfeeding and working could mean enabling a Mum to use her breaks by giving her some privacy to express and store her milk. Some employers might provide a fridge, but breastmilk can also be safely stored for up to 6 hours in a simple cool bag with an ice pack.

“There are many different solutions for different circumstances, and a supportive employer who is prepared to talk to their employee about what she needs and how that could be accommodated without any cost to the business might make all the difference.

“Mums who don’t breastfeed or express milk whilst at work can still continue breastfeeding their baby at times they are not working if they want to.

“We hope a supportive policy will help to increase the numbers of mothers who think about starting breastfeeding, because at the moment some mothers do not start because they know they will be going back to work and think it won’t be possible to combine the two.”

“We recognise that not all Mums get the support they need to breastfeed, so urge the Government to help health professionals and volunteers to provide this.” Ends.

Notes follow

Notes

1. Parents who want support with breastfeeding and returning to work or any other aspect of breastfeeding can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 between 9.30am and 9.30pm any day of the year to speak to a volunteer mum who has breastfed and been trained to provide skilled support in breastfeeding.

2. The leaflet “Expressing and Storing Breastmilk” also has lots of useful information and can be downloaded from the BfN website, www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk”

3. The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is a UK-wide charity which runs more than 125 breastfeeding drop in centres across Britain and offers Mum- to- Mum support face-to-face, through the Helpline and before and after birth.

4. More information about legal rights for working parents can be found at www.maternityaction.org.uk