BF and returning to work - no room to express available!

10 replies

NikkiTwinkle · 10/02/2011 15:44

Hi I need some advise. I'm returning to work in 2 weeks time and my DD is entirely BF. Nursery are happy to take her with EBM in a cup, my problem is work are unable to give me a room to express.

What do I do? I need to express twice a day or it's going to be a mess! I thought they had to give me a room to express, but looking in the maternity policy there is no mention.

I don't intend to do it for long, just get my DD established with a drinky cup and then switch to formula (she's 9 months old)

Any advice/links etc would be good.
Thanks
Nikki

OP posts:

WildhoodChunder · 10/02/2011 16:36

It looks like the HSE advise employers they should, but it's not legally enforceable, which is a bit poor. They need to do a risk assessment for you though. link

WildhoodChunder · 10/02/2011 16:38

It does say the Workplace Regulations require employers to provide suitable rest facilities for workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding though, do they offer this?

Original poster

NikkiTwinkle · 10/02/2011 18:33

Thanks for the info on Workplace Regulations, they don't have to provide anywhere!

I'm currently negotiating with them without getting too angry, not sure what I'm going to do if I can't get a room. It's just going to be messy if I can't express.

OP posts:

cinnamongreyhound · 10/02/2011 21:47

I used to express in the first aid room, very few times I found it busy and was never kicked out for an ill person, is that something you could suggest?

gaelicsheep · 10/02/2011 21:51

What hours are you working? I do 8.30 to 4 and my DD has to go without in the day (she won't take milk from bottle or cup). I just feed her more the rest of the time. I'm quite glad actually as I hated the idea of expressing at work. No problems so far.

I don't know if I'm unusual though. I think my DD reverse cycled quite some time ago!

arabellaandbaby · 11/02/2011 22:15

I hand express in the loos at work 3 times a day and my DD is 11mo. We don't have a hygienic fridge at work so after I've expressed, I put the bottle into a small insulated lunch bag in which I store a couple of ice packs. They keep the milk nice and cool for 10 hours! I find it so convenient and no one needs to know that I've been expressing! Could you try this yourself?

PenguinArmy · 12/02/2011 19:21

At 10 months we managed DD not having milk in the day, so you don't necessarily have to switch to FF.

Any room can be converted just for 20 mins. Feed just before you, as soon as you get back. If it's just for you comfort then worse case in toilets. Should only take up to a week for comfort to be alright.

Pilchardnpoppy · 12/02/2011 20:16

My dd is 10 months old and I went back to work a month ago. I leave her at nursery at 8 and pick her up sometimes as late as 5.30. My plan was to express, but she would never drink milk at nursery, even though they kept offering it to her. Now she just has food and water from a sippy cup. She isn't a big eater, but seems to get by only feeding in the evenings and at night.

I find that I am not too engorged by the end of the day, but still have enough milk to feed her.

Foreverondiet · 12/02/2011 21:51

I walked to John Lewis (10 mins walk from work) when I did KIT days... is there anywhere local suitable?

threetimesabridesmaid · 13/02/2011 22:02

Hi Nikki, I went back when my DD was 4mths & had to express in the toilets - not the most pleasant of surroundings, but fine. She's now 8mths & down to only one feed whilst at nursery, which is much easier as I just express the minute I get in from work (4.30ish) - just make sure pump&bottle are clean and ready to go!
Good luck - you'll (both) be fine.

Flip