How much time do you get to express at work?

[StarsAbove]

I've told my employer I want to express once a day when I return to work and they have given me 15 minutes to do it. That doesn't sound very long, is that enough time? I have a hand pump.

My DD will be a year old but she has problems swallowing food so I want her to continue having as much breast milk as possible, rather than switch to another milk.

Actually I find 15 mins once a day with a hand pump is sufficient, but I would expect a little more flexibility!

Oh that's reassuring, thank you!

That wouldn't be long enough for me (I pump twice a day for about 25-30 mins each session) - DD is 11 months. Have you had a go at expressing already? What sort of yield d'you get in 15 mins?

I haven't expressed much as DD wouldn't take a bottle so I just express if I have extra milk and put it in the freezer in case of emergency! I'll have to do it against the clock and see what happens.

Are you away from your DC already, CityDweller?

Pre-return to work with both my DC, I could have expressed for hours and got precisely zip! But when I'm away they practically empty themselves :o

I'm not given a specified amount of time (that does seem weirdly inflexible), but can easily express 4 or 5oz in fifteen minutes with a decent pump: that's all DS2 drinks while I'm in work anyway.

It used to take me around 25-30 mins to express at work. Got a bit quicker the more I did it but it was very odd initially which effected things. Plus you have to set up, put away, wash hands and all that. there are no time limits on expressing though...

Perhaps I'll have to see how it goes then ask for more time if I need it. Although I don't think legally they have to give me any time, and may tell me to do it in my lunch break.

The law is on your side actually. All you need to do is notify them. It's then up to them to formulate a suitable plan. breastfeeding and work.pdf This leaflet is useful for BFing and returning to work.

I can get a good yield in 15 mins but I generally find expressing against the clock puts me off. I pump twice a day from anywhere between 20-40 mins. As others have said, check your rights.

Thanks, as far as I can see they have to provide somewhere to rest, but everything else is just recommendations.

I express 2/3 times a day for approx 15-20 mins a time. I use a fab electric hospital grade pump, usually getting 3.5 to 6 ounces a time. I read mums net as I express as I find stressing or rushing reduces my production! Maybe 2 x 10 mins would be better?

I have never known anyone to express at my work, so I thought I would find it a challenge. However they have been great. Cups of tea, reminders not to forget the milk etc!

Try contacting your local NCT branch they often have pump hire agents, who hire pumps on a weekly basis. If you had access to an electric point....a double electric pump may yield more milk than a single manual pump.