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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
8
mixedcereal · 15/10/2025 07:02

Not that this makes any difference in a legal sense but what kind of job is it?

is it one that if your on a break then cover is required (eg being on the shop floor) or one that it doesn’t really make any difference to anyone else whether you are there or not?

whether within legal rights or not I would expect most employers try and accommodate this but has to be within reason. I imagine it won’t help that you’re a new employee (not that this is right) but you don’t have those relationships and “earned flexibility” that other people might have from having already been in a role.

from their perspective, if you’re expecting allowances to be made, then it’s very unreasonable for you to have only given 3 days notice for this / if this allowance has an impact on other staff

Minnie798 · 15/10/2025 07:05

OP has a legal right to have her breastfeeding accommodated whether you like it or not

I don't think this is the case at all. Numerous posters have provided links that do not say this .

ThejoyofNC · 15/10/2025 07:10

Minnie798 · 15/10/2025 07:05

OP has a legal right to have her breastfeeding accommodated whether you like it or not

I don't think this is the case at all. Numerous posters have provided links that do not say this .

This attitude (the quoted text) seems increasingly common these days. Like breastfeeding makes you completely untouchable and you can do whatever you want. It's going to end up doing more harm than good because people are not satisfied with reasonable adjustments and think that they are entitled to make completely unreasonable demands.

dancingbymyself · 15/10/2025 07:12

It’s quite odd that you didn’t even check if my was okay for your baby to be brought to your work…

What you have asked for is genuinely unprecedented, in my experience, and I agree they have been very accommodating.

party4you · 15/10/2025 07:23

TJk86 · 14/10/2025 22:55

This is the case in many other civilised countries. Only in the UK we are obsessed with separating the baby from their parents and to get the parents working and paying taxes asap without any consideration given to the wellbeing of the babies.

Show quote history

Notice how they said EIGHT hours, though.

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 15/10/2025 07:31

Ladyzfactor · 14/10/2025 22:17

Would anyone be able to find a link for this one? I'm still annoyed at the woman who brought her noisy toddler to a class where we were doing final presentations. I have no idea what our professor was thinking giving that the ok.

Show quote history

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/feminism/5419739-bringing-a-newborn-to-university-lectures?page=1

Gloriia · 15/10/2025 07:55

If I was starting a zero hour bank job I'd be as flexible as the contract and bf/express when off.

Different if returning to a full time 9 til 5 job but you can surely work bf/expressing around your hours. I think it is fine to bf, if you have to at work, in your break.

3luckystars · 15/10/2025 08:06

Just a different angle and nothing to do with the breastfeeding side of things, I was totally fine returning to work after maternity leave (I did dread it but when the day came, I was actually ready) and I was absolutely grand until lunch times when I would go out for my break and see children and mothers with their babies together out shopping.

This used to rally upset me. I can’t imagine how upset I would have been if I had to hold my own baby and then hand it back after 10 minutes and go back to work in the middle of the day. I would have been gutted.
There is no way I would have managed the second half of the work day, it would have really disrupted me and I probably would have been bawling my eyes out every day.

Sorry if that’s unhelpful but it was my experience and I found returning to work completely fine and enjoyed it, but seeing other children just reminded me about
what I was missing out on at home.

NotMeekNotObedient · 15/10/2025 11:35

Reading this makes me feel so lucky. I agree that what they are doing is completely legal and actually pretty accommodating. Is that break your lunch? Might be hard to eat and breastfeed!

However there definitely are (probably rare) employers out there who let you take the time you need. I just used to take myself off to pump as needed, around meetings, as many as I needed, I never informed my manager.

I think it's much harder to have this kind of arrangement as a new employee.

I think it really depends on the job too - me being away from my desk for a few mins made absolutely no difference to my work or that of my colleagues. The work was always on me to get done and they were realistic about easing me back into work anyway.

Thankfully DD started nursery and never asked for milk there, so I didn't need to pump past the first month really. On my days off she still had milk in the day. They are very adaptable OP.

My advice is to try the job and see how you get on.

Peonies12 · 15/10/2025 11:39

I went back to work at 11 months and baby is fine without BF for an 8 hour day at nursery / with her grandma. I'd be tempted to try without it. At that age, they can eat / drink water and compensate when you're back with them. i just feed before work/after work/at bedtime/at night. She is getting plenty..

preferteatocoffee · 15/10/2025 13:14

party4you · 15/10/2025 07:23

Notice how they said EIGHT hours, though.

Show quote history

Yup 1 hour for an 8hr working day.

Part-time workers are also entitled to breastfeeding breaks. This is calculated on a pro-rata basis (proportionate to the breaks you would get if you worked full-time)

FirstdatesFred · 15/10/2025 15:05

VikaOlson · 14/10/2025 21:31

Just from a childcare point of view, I think your baby may find it quite distressing to be brought to you for 5/10 minutes for a quick feed then whipped away again.

There's some info here about your rights: https://www.nct.org.uk/information/life-parent/support-change/breastfeeding-and-returning-work

I really agree with this.
Aside from the legalities consider if it's really in their best interests as separation anxiety is quite a thing at that age.

AnotherNameChange1234567 · 15/10/2025 16:52

Changingnameagain · 15/10/2025 06:31

And I think you- and several other posters on here- are displaying the most vile and antiquated attitudes to OP. OP has a legal right to have her breastfeeding accommodated whether you like it or not, whether you did it or not and whether you've heard of it or not. I'm shocked by some of the ignorance and unpleasantness on this thread. Do better.
We have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, despite the fact WHO recommends breastfeeding until 2 years (in addition to solid food from 6 months).

OP you need that risk assessment done before you return to work as that is what legally will drive and force the accommodations you need. Contact your HR to remind them you need one doing before your return to work.
Make clear what your feeding/pumping needs are to avoid risk of mastitis and ensure they are put down. Health and Safety Executive website also has information about employers legal duties to breastfeeding employees.

Show quote history

Please quote/link to where there is a legal right to breastfeed at work and/or for additional breaks to do so.

Changingnameagain · 15/10/2025 16:58

AnotherNameChange1234567 · 15/10/2025 16:52

Please quote/link to where there is a legal right to breastfeed at work and/or for additional breaks to do so.

Show quote history

I've tried to explain it is driven through the risk assessment they must legally be given as breastfeeding employees.
See link below. The risk assessment and Health and Safety at work act 1974 is what gives her the legal right and entitlement to ensure her health is protected.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/rest-breastfeeding-at-work.htm

https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/breastfeeding-women-work-guidance-members

The link above is also very good and comprehensive

Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers: employers - Rest and breastfeeding at work

https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/rest-breastfeeding-at-work.htm

party4you · 15/10/2025 17:23

preferteatocoffee · 15/10/2025 13:14

Yup 1 hour for an 8hr working day.

Part-time workers are also entitled to breastfeeding breaks. This is calculated on a pro-rata basis (proportionate to the breaks you would get if you worked full-time)

Show quote history

Yes which OP is getting, if you’re on a 6 hour shit you wouldn’t normally get a break.

party4you · 15/10/2025 17:24

NotMeekNotObedient · 15/10/2025 11:35

Reading this makes me feel so lucky. I agree that what they are doing is completely legal and actually pretty accommodating. Is that break your lunch? Might be hard to eat and breastfeed!

However there definitely are (probably rare) employers out there who let you take the time you need. I just used to take myself off to pump as needed, around meetings, as many as I needed, I never informed my manager.

I think it's much harder to have this kind of arrangement as a new employee.

I think it really depends on the job too - me being away from my desk for a few mins made absolutely no difference to my work or that of my colleagues. The work was always on me to get done and they were realistic about easing me back into work anyway.

Thankfully DD started nursery and never asked for milk there, so I didn't need to pump past the first month really. On my days off she still had milk in the day. They are very adaptable OP.

My advice is to try the job and see how you get on.

This is different to what the OP wants to do though, they’re bringing the baby in to feed not just pumping.

3luckystars · 15/10/2025 17:39

party4you · 15/10/2025 17:23

Yes which OP is getting, if you’re on a 6 hour shit you wouldn’t normally get a break.

Show quote history

I really hope you would get a break from a 6 hour shit. I can imagine how bad that would be to endure.

preferteatocoffee · 15/10/2025 17:39

party4you · 15/10/2025 17:23

Yes which OP is getting, if you’re on a 6 hour shit you wouldn’t normally get a break.

Show quote history

For the UK , yes that maybe correct. I don't work in the UK so defer to you. I realize the OP is in the UK.

However my post related to the entitlement to paid breaks in Ireland. Side note in Ireland you are legally entitled to a 15 minute break after 4.5 hours work and 30 minutes after 6 hours and 60 minutes after 8 hrs. These do not have to be paid.

If the OP were in Ireland, which she is not, she would be statutorily entitled to a paid breastfeeding break @ the pro rata rate of 1 hr per 8hrs work

Therefore on a 6 hour shift which is 75% of 8hrs she would be entitled to 75% of the 1 hr paid breastfeeding break time. I.e 45 mins paid breastfeeding break. I hope that clarifies

PetuniaT · 15/10/2025 18:16

Tell them you'll do it during your fag break!

MarvellousMonsters · 15/10/2025 18:36

“Am I entitled to breastfeeding breaks?
No, the law does not currently allow a simple, straightforward right to breastfeeding breaks. However, it is good practice and your employer must consider any health and safety issues, as stated above.”

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/continuing-to-breastfeed-when-you-return-to-work/

party4you · 15/10/2025 19:31

preferteatocoffee · 15/10/2025 17:39

For the UK , yes that maybe correct. I don't work in the UK so defer to you. I realize the OP is in the UK.

However my post related to the entitlement to paid breaks in Ireland. Side note in Ireland you are legally entitled to a 15 minute break after 4.5 hours work and 30 minutes after 6 hours and 60 minutes after 8 hrs. These do not have to be paid.

If the OP were in Ireland, which she is not, she would be statutorily entitled to a paid breastfeeding break @ the pro rata rate of 1 hr per 8hrs work

Therefore on a 6 hour shift which is 75% of 8hrs she would be entitled to 75% of the 1 hr paid breastfeeding break time. I.e 45 mins paid breastfeeding break. I hope that clarifies

Show quote history

Yes I wasn’t really directing it toward Irelands law I meant it more for all the people acting like OPs employers were being awful but it is interesting to know how it works in Ireland in comparison !

party4you · 15/10/2025 19:32

3luckystars · 15/10/2025 17:39

I really hope you would get a break from a 6 hour shit. I can imagine how bad that would be to endure.

Show quote history

not sure I’d actually want a break if it was constant!

Tdcp · 15/10/2025 19:47

I would think that pumping before work and having the baby drink the milk out of a cup or bottle at home would be better all round tbh

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