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Returning to work after having a baby can feel like a big change. With support, you can continue breastfeeding when you go back to work.
If you’re getting ready to return to work, you might be wondering how your workplace will support your need to breastfeed or express. When planning your return, it’s common for a few questions to come up.
What are my entitlements and rights?
- Australian law protects your right to breastfeed, express, and store breastmilk at work and it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you for breastfeeding.
- You are entitled to reasonable breastfeeding or lactation breaks and a private, safe space to express.
- Refusing this support may be discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Fair Work Act 2009.
How do I talk to my employer?
Before you go back to work, talk with someone in your workplace about the support you’ll need to breastfeed or express. This could be your manager, HR, or anyone responsible for staff wellbeing.
If you’re unsure how to begin, you can keep it simple. Try starting with:
- “I’d like to talk about support for breastfeeding or expressing when I return to work.”
- “I plan to keep breastfeeding and want to discuss what arrangements might help.”
What do I ask?
You may want to ask about:
- Does the workplace have a breastfeeding or return to work policy
- Are flexible work options available
- Is there a private room for breastfeeding or expressing
- Has anyone else breastfed after returning to work
- Are lactation breaks available (paid or unpaid)
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace (BFW) accreditation is awarded by ABA to organisations that provide 3 simple criteria to support their breastfeeding employees.
Combining breastfeeding and work
Together these three elements demonstrate to new and existing employees that their workplace and employer is supportive of their potential needs as a breastfeeding employee.
Space
A private, comfortable space to breastfeed or express breastmilk. This is the first requirement to becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.
Depending on the size of your workplace, the space could be a dedicated breastfeeding/expressing room or a shared with a first aid room/prayer room or meeting room. Smaller work sites or those with a small number of staff may not have a space available at all times. However, they should have a plan for how a space would be provided if needed.
Time
Time during the working day to breastfeed or express.
Your needs as a breastfeeding employee are usually short-term. The second requirement is a Breastfeeding Policy that clearly outlines support for lactation breaks to allow you time to feed or express.
Supportive Culture
Support from your employer and colleagues. A clear communication strategy and other workplace initiatives will back up the Breastfeeding Policy. Communication is key to building a supportive workplace culture.
Talk to your employer about Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace accreditation
When you discuss your plans for returning to work, you can direct your employer or HR personnel to the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace pages. There they will find the information and resources they need to put in place to demonstrate their support for you as you return to work.
They can start the process of becoming an employer of choice as an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.
View mother's stories from accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace organisations
