A workplace that is actively supportive of breastfeeding can make a real difference for staff returning to work after being on parental leave. Hayley Adamson returned to work when her baby, Ollie, was 9 months old. “Knowing my workplace was actively supportive of breastfeeding made preparing to return to work that much easier and gave me the confidence to continue to breastfeed him,” says Hayley. “My workplace had a flexible work policy which allowed me to take the time I needed to express or breastfeed. I simply expressed breastmilk once a day or had my partner bring Ollie into my workplace around lunchtime,” she says. Hayley’s workplace had several private rooms with breastfeeding signage, that everyone was familiar with, to put on the door.
Your workplace can provide support for staff who breastfeed in four simple steps:
• Good communication – have a conversation with staff who are about to go on parental leave about the support that is in place for them when they return if they wish to breastfeed or express breastmilk at work.
• Time – provide staff extended breaks (paid or unpaid) during work to breastfeed or express breastmilk on or off-site.
• Space – provide staff a comfortable and private area to breastfeed or express.
• Support – encourage a supportive and co-operative culture amongst managers and colleagues.
For more information, visit the Breastfeeding section of our WorkWell website.
