Still breastfeeding and going back to work - what are my rights?

[k74]

That's it really. I know if you express they have to provide a room and a fridge. But what if your baby doesn't take a bottle? Is it within my rights to go home during breaks to feed? And what about working late or meetings?

He will be 10 months, so he won't starve. But I'm only working 2 days a week, term time only so it seems a shame to give up.

I think you have a good case for flexible working hours, so you can then arrange going home for BF etc. Good luck, I'm going back next week, my DD will be 1. She's going to nursery 3 short days but I also want to continue BF.

But do they have to agree? I mean I want to continue bfeeding but also realise that I am being paid to do a job.

They don't have to agree but they have to give your request serious consideration and if they disagree explain why. I think if you're prepared to do the same number of hours but flexi-time then i don't really see why you should be refused (obviously if it's the kind of job that can be done flexi-time). I requested flexi-time previously (for my DS, non-BF related) and had no problems getting it. Good luck.

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Just running out of the door - I have no idea what your rights are but suggest you try calling Maternity Alliance to see if they can help?
Good luck

Maternity alliance have closed since dec app, but the website gives some other links to sources of advice but not that helpful, I am in a similar position so interested aswell,

Hi

I returned to work when dd was 6.5 months, she had never taken a full bottle of EBM, but we had got her used to taking water from a training cup and she had taken a few oz of EBM from it. From her first day at nursery, she happily took EBM from the same cup - I think as I wasn't around, she didn't have an option and just got on with it.

I started expressing about 6 weeks before returning and built up a supply of EBM in the Freezer and got used to expressing and of course, if you are expressing instead of a feed, you will get more anyhow.

This link here has some useful info on rights etc

I am expressing twice at work and getting about 4oz each time, which is what DD then gets at nursery. Good luck and I hope it works out ok for you too!

i started a thread like this in june 2005....will huuntr it out for you

there you go hth