Listed below are some useful external resources about returning to work while breastfeeding.
Maternity Action works to end inequality and promote the health and well-being of all pregnant women, their partners and children from before conception through to the child’s early years. They have lots of specific information about your rights if you want to continue breastfeeding when you return to work. You can find out more here.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides information on breastfeeding and returning to work, for employers and employees.
Working Families is a charity which helps working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. It has useful information about returning to work and breastfeeding.
NHS.uk also has some information on breastfeeding and going back to work for employees and employers.
Both Working Families and Maternity Action have helplines you can ring if you wanted to chat to someone about your rights when returning to work. Volunteers on the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212) will also be able to give you information and support about the practical aspect of continuing to breastfeed or providing breastmilk for your baby once you return to work.
If you are an employer, you can find out more about offering a breastfeeding friendly work environment and also sign up to our free Breastfeeding Friendly scheme here.
The Breastfeeding Network is not responsible for the content or reliability of these websites and does not necessarily endorse the view expressed within them. Listings shall not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these websites will be available all the time and we have no control over availability.
Links checked August 2024
You can read some personal stories about returning to work whilst breastfeeding below:
Barbara returned to her work as a teacher when her baby was six months old. She was suddenly faced with trying work out what to leave for the baby while she was away. Barbara found that her baby led the way by adapting to the nursery routine and breastfeeding more at night and at the weekends. Follow this link Barbara’s story, to read what Barbara says about Rebecca who is now 2 ½ and whom she is still breastfeeding.