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AIBU?

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Original poster

Breastfeeding rights at work - please clarify for me please! I start in 3 days!

243 replies

carrie3003 · 14/10/2025 20:42

Returning to work part time after 10.5 months mat leave. Breastfeeding.

It is a new job (bank hours so 0 hour contract I can work when I like). Not worked there before.

First shift and induction is on Friday morning for 6 hours - a 20 minute break.

I have emailed and said my baby will be brought to me around 10/11am for a feed. (I read online that you need to tell your employer in writing you’re breastfeeding so that’s why I emailed)

They have just emailed back:

“That’s fine, we can look to work your break around that time if that’s ok with you”

I don’t have to use my break for this do I?
Surely as a breastfeeding mother I am entitled to my full break for me and a 10 minute breastfeeding “break” for my baby?
They can’t make me use my break to breastfeed can they?

What do I reply? It’s really shocked me as I thought she would just reply saying “yeah that’s fine”

Please tell me I’m not mad. AIBU? I need clarification on my rights and what to say back.

Not keen on returning to work as it is and now this has pushed me even more to just not go!

Thank you in advance lovely ladies xx

OP posts:
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8
BananaPeels · 15/10/2025 22:11

Judecb · 15/10/2025 22:09

See the "Eqaulity Act 2010" .
Women are entitled to breastfeed at work.

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I don’t think the Equality Act says what you think it does

Judecb · 15/10/2025 22:09

Bambamhoohoo · 15/10/2025 21:50

You said it was a legal employer responsibility, but haven’t been able to link to evidence of that….

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See the "Eqaulity Act 2010" .
Women are entitled to breastfeed at work.

nolongersurprised · 15/10/2025 22:05

TJk86 · 15/10/2025 21:59

Multiple people provided links to employment laws in other countries where women get paid time off to breastfeed (eg Ireland they get 1 hour fully paid to breastfeed until the child is 2) so clearly it’s not such a wild idea that “it surely must be a wind up” 🙄

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I’ve only seen the links to Ireland. Which other counties? I’ve worked in Aus whilst breastfeeding. No issues with access to pumps, fridges and a space to express but no option of extra breaks

TJk86 · 15/10/2025 21:59

Worriedalltheday · 15/10/2025 21:51

People have become so entitled these days. Surely this must be a wind up.

Multiple people provided links to employment laws in other countries where women get paid time off to breastfeed (eg Ireland they get 1 hour fully paid to breastfeed until the child is 2) so clearly it’s not such a wild idea that “it surely must be a wind up” 🙄

Zanatdy · 15/10/2025 21:56

Most employers are going to expect mother’s to use their break. You don’t get paid for pumping / feeding babies. At 10 months it would have distressed my baby to bring them along for such a short period. I’d express or baby can eat solid and drink water and fill up on BM before and after work.

Worriedalltheday · 15/10/2025 21:51

People have become so entitled these days. Surely this must be a wind up.

Bambamhoohoo · 15/10/2025 21:50

Judecb · 15/10/2025 21:42

You need to calm down.

All I've said is that women should be able to breastfeed whenever and wherever they want.
You should want this too!

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You said it was a legal employer responsibility, but haven’t been able to link to evidence of that….

Snailssitonwhales · 15/10/2025 21:47

TutTutTutSigh · 14/10/2025 20:57

I've never heard of this. I'd be surprised if any uk employer would agree to essentially unlimited paid breaks. Especially during a 6 hour shift.

I work for a local authority who offer up to 1 hour paid each day for pumping and/or breastfeeding. Whilst rare, it does happen.

YesImaman1100 · 15/10/2025 21:45

Hahahahaha even for this site this is hilarious. Why on earth would your workplace pay you, to feed your baby? Wobble required.

Judecb · 15/10/2025 21:42

TwinklyStork · 15/10/2025 21:30

I’m not, but you fill your boots thinking that if it makes you feel better.

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You need to calm down.

All I've said is that women should be able to breastfeed whenever and wherever they want.
You should want this too!

Peridoteage · 15/10/2025 21:42

Ive never known anyone be given extra breaks to breastfeed. Most women i know who have breastfed have stayed off for 1 year+ and by then their DC just feed when they aren't at work.

One colleague of mine pumped on lunch break for a bit.

Littlemisscapable · 15/10/2025 21:36

Jellybunny56 · 14/10/2025 20:55

YABU OP, you have no legal right whatsoever to an extra break to breastfeed.

This. I worked in NHS and education and I have never heard of anyone getting time to do this. You just need to work around this.

TwinklyStork · 15/10/2025 21:35

IdaGlossop · 15/10/2025 21:32

Non-office workplaces - Amazon warehouses, restaurants, coffee shops, classrooms - would be even more unsuitable than an office.

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Hospitals, care homes… imagine someone’s dying of a heart attack and a crucial staff member is too busy with her baby. Honestly, what a ridiculous notion.

IdaGlossop · 15/10/2025 21:35

TeaCakeMun · 15/10/2025 20:44

But how can your rule of breastfeeding WHENEVER YOU WANT only apply to certain people in certain jobs? Who can make that a law? Do they list every job it’s allowed and every job its not?

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Hardly a route to equality between women 😄

TwinklyStork · 15/10/2025 21:33

maddiemookins16mum · 15/10/2025 21:29

What happens when baby turns up, doesn’t fancy a feed right then and cries the place down when they see you etc etc. All sounds a bit ridiculous.

Exactly. Utterly ridiculous thinking she can have her baby brought in to the workplace.
If you’re not ready to quit breastfeeding on demand then don’t go back to work, it’s that simple.
And this kid is nearly a year old anyway and doesn’t need to be breastfed at that time of day.

IdaGlossop · 15/10/2025 21:32

TwinklyStork · 15/10/2025 20:19

Of course you’re not, don’t be ridiculous!
You think someone should be able to have their baby attached to the boob all day in the office if they want, or brought in from home whenever they fancy?!

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Non-office workplaces - Amazon warehouses, restaurants, coffee shops, classrooms - would be even more unsuitable than an office.

TwinklyStork · 15/10/2025 21:30

Judecb · 15/10/2025 21:04

Look up employer responsibilities. You are wrong.

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I’m not, but you fill your boots thinking that if it makes you feel better.

maddiemookins16mum · 15/10/2025 21:29

What happens when baby turns up, doesn’t fancy a feed right then and cries the place down when they see you etc etc. All sounds a bit ridiculous.

BeFancyOtter · 15/10/2025 21:27

@carrie3003 you do realise by this age babies might often be down to about 3 feeds a day? so morning, at dinner perhaps and then evening ......its not a young baby thats solely dependeant on breast milk!!! www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/weaning/what-to-feed-your-baby/10-to-12-months/#:~:text=At%20this%20stage%20of%20weaning,use%20this%20as%20a%20guide.

BananaPeels · 15/10/2025 21:14

dancingbymyself · 15/10/2025 21:12

Just to be clear, there is no requirement to allow someone to breastfeed at work or take breaks to be able to breastfeed. There is a requirement to provide a room to rest in and to express milk.
https://www.acas.org.uk/your-maternity-leave-pay-and-other-rights/returning-to-work-after-having-a-baby

I just read that an interesting they don’t have to provide somewhere for you to express:

They're not legally required to provide somewhere for you to express or store milk. However, it's a good idea for them to provide facilities, such as a private room and a fridge to store the milk.

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 15/10/2025 21:13

autumnevenings25 · 15/10/2025 20:47

I find it a bit weird you’d need a 10 month old - weaned - baby to be brought to you to BF…why can’t you pump?

Or get them on a bottle or a cup of normal milk?

BananaPeels · 15/10/2025 21:10

TeaCakeMun · 15/10/2025 21:08

Erm, “whenever you want” is your exact words. I was disagreeing with you. Now you seem to be saying you never said whenever you want? Which is exactly what you said?

They are completely wrong. You are entitled to feed your baby whenever you want. This does NOT need to happen in "scheduled break times". DEAR GOD!!!!

That was your exact words. Nothing about whenever it practically allows. You said whenever you want and not in scheduled break times.

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The law doesn’t even say whenever it ‘practically allows’ either

TeaCakeMun · 15/10/2025 21:08

Judecb · 15/10/2025 21:00

It's not a question of whenever you want. What you are suggesting is ridiculous. All I said is that the law allows women to breastfeed in the workplace whenever it practically allows. Why are you so angry about this?

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Erm, “whenever you want” is your exact words. I was disagreeing with you. Now you seem to be saying you never said whenever you want? Which is exactly what you said?

They are completely wrong. You are entitled to feed your baby whenever you want. This does NOT need to happen in "scheduled break times". DEAR GOD!!!!

That was your exact words. Nothing about whenever it practically allows. You said whenever you want and not in scheduled break times.

BananaPeels · 15/10/2025 21:07

Judecb · 15/10/2025 21:06

Look up employer responsibilities. That's where the law is.

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But people have linked to breastfeeding laws and it doesn’t say women can breastfeed whenever it is practically possible