Returning from Mat Leave date.

[Libra1975]

Before I went on ML I told my work (in writing) that I would return on 2nd January. However now we can not get child-care until beginning of Feb and I want to b/f until 6 months (and I HATE expressing) which is also beginning of Feb.
Am I legally obliged to return beginning of Jan or as it was stated before I even went on ML can I now turn round and say I am not returning until beginning of Feb?

Thanks.

No you just need to give notice (8 weeks i think) about your change of plans. Think you have a right to come back to the same job if you take less then 6 months off in total but if you take more then they can change your job (as long as it is the same status, pay + conditions). Can you email your boss to discuss?

Just give them notice of the date change as witchandchips says.

(You didn't need to give them a date before you started ML, and they can't hold you to it now.)

Thanks guys I just wanted to know they couldn't hold me to it.