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

[carrie3003]

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

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!!!! What century does this company live in??!! Speak to HR or a Union Rep to clarify.

You are 0 hours contract which means they don’t have to offer any hours and you don’t need to accept any hours , my daughter has just finished breastfeeding he is 1 and 1/2 now and eating solids but she expressed her milk which meant anyone could feed him which we did

Can you link to this?

You shouldn't have to feed your baby in the toilet or car park (if you live 4 mins walk away surely you won't be driving!). But scheduling during your break seems sensible to me.

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?!

So a surgeon can just walk out half way through an operation to feed a baby?

A bus driver can just park up and feed?

A carer in a nursing home can stop mid way through helping someone with dementia go to the toilet?

Your dentist can just stop mid way through a filling?

The paramedic stops CPR to go and feed?

The customer service woman you are on the phone to dealing with a serious issue just hangs up mid way through the conversation.

The oncologist walks out half way through giving a patient a terminal diagnosis? Sorry that you’re dying but it’s my right to feed WHENEVER I WANT so I’m off.

What you really mean is people in basic office jobs should be able to. Not thinking that actually if they made that the law it would somehow have to work for every job going.

Don't be ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous to point out a range of jobs when a women can't breast feed whenever she wants?

Right so we agree that you made a mistake and actually it’s ridiculous to think someone should just be able breastfeed whenever they want during work hours?

Because of COURSE a surgeon can't just stop to breast feed!!!! Do you REALLY think that was being suggested??!!!

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?

You are unreasonable to expect paid time to breastfeed! Why do you think you are entitled to more time off than anyone else just because you are choosing to breastfeed?

I was still breastfeeding by the time I returned to work with an 11 month old and she managed on a morning and evening feed. I never needed to feed or express mid work day.

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?

paid time? What, 10 measly minutes? I can't believe the pettiness of people, towards a bf mother. Jeez, the last time I checked, I could have sworn this was a parenting website, where women come for support.

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?

If the law says that then wouldn’t that be discriminatory?. Some women would be allowed to do it and others not.

Look up employer responsibilities. You are wrong.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

@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.