NCT Campaign for back to work breastfeeding mums

The National Childbirth Trust is leading a campaign to help mothers to
continue to breastfeed when they return to work and as part of this
campaign, has just published a booklet in its Breastfeeding series giving
helpful hints on going back to work and how to express and store milk.

New mothers and their babies have legal protection under the Health and
Safety at Work legislation under which employers cannot impose conditions
on staff which stop women breastfeeding their babies. The law applies
until the baby is 12 months old and during this time women returning to
work might also be able to negotiate shorter shifts or be given breaks to
express milk, if this helps them to continue breastfeeding.

"We think that mothers will find it useful to know that they needn't give
up breastfeeding if they go back to work," said Belinda Phipps, Chief
Executive of the National Childbirth Trust. "Expressing their own milk can
be really helpful if they are returning to work and want to leave the milk
for their babies while someone else cares for them.

"It's always a good idea for women to tell their employer in writing that
they intend to continue breastfeeding and to discuss how this relates to
their work," Belinda explained. "A letter from their family doctor or
health visitor outlining the health risks of not breastfeeding is also
advisable. After all, immunities in breast milk will help protect the baby
from infections - which will mean fewer days off work for mum!"

Women working in the public sector have the extra protection of the
Pregnant Workers' Directive, which stresses the need for protecting a
mother's right to breastfeed at work.

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Belinda could not stress enough the health benefits of breastfeeding,
especially in the first few months.

"Breastfeeding gives a baby the best start in life," she said. "It
provides special factors for growth and reduces the likelihood of many
common infections in babies such as gastro-enteritis, chest infections and
diabetes. In fact, breast milk is specially designed to suit the baby and
the NCT is here to offer help and advice to make it easier for mothers to
give breast milk to their child wherever possible."

The booklet is also useful for mothers who have to express milk if their
baby can't feed from them or if they need to overcome a breastfeeding
difficulty.

The booklet, one of a series from the NCT on breastfeeding, is likely to be
helpful to women planning to return to work and to employers - who might
want to buy it for their staff.

Copies of the booklet 'How to Express and Store Your Milk', is available
price £2.50 plus 50p postage and packing, from NCT Maternity Sales,
telephone 0141 636 0600; website: HYPERLINK http://www.nctms.co.uk
http://www.nctms.co.uk