breastfeeding and going back to work

I have an almost 5 month old baby and am not going back to work until after full maternity levae (26 weeks plus 16 weeks) At the moment I am still exclusively breastfeeding and hope to continue when i go back to work. I know there is some provision for time off to breastfeed but my baby will not be near my place of work during the day. Am I allowed time off to express? Can't think of anywhere in work where this could be done. Also is there a limit on how long you are allowed the time for? someone told me it is only til the child is 6 months but most people take maternity leave for that long and breastfeeding is recommended up to 2 years. Should my work have a policy on this? I got a bad enough reaction being pregnant so the thoughts of asking for time off for feeding might send my boss over the edge!

The Health and Safety Authority has a [broken link removed]

I am breastfeeding – what are my rights in the workplace?
The Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provides that breastfeeding mothers will be entitled, under legislation, to paid time off for the purposes of breastfeeding or expressing milk in the workplace, where facilities are provided by the employer, or a reduction in working hours (on full pay) to facilitate breastfeeding where facilities are not provided. The employer will be required to provide facilities where this does not give rise to more than a nominal cost. These are measures to encourage breastfeeding and not health and safety provisions. A booklet with information on how to manage combining breastfeeding and work is available from the Health Promotion Unit, Department of Health and Children, 01 635 4326 or 01 635 4356

There's no time limit mentioned in the relevant section of the Act see here.

sandrat said:

I have an almost 5 month old baby and am not going back to work until after full maternity levae (26 weeks plus 16 weeks) At the moment I am still exclusively breastfeeding and hope to continue when i go back to work. I know there is some provision for time off to breastfeed but my baby will not be near my place of work during the day. Am I allowed time off to express? Can't think of anywhere in work where this could be done. Also is there a limit on how long you are allowed the time for? someone told me it is only til the child is 6 months but most people take maternity leave for that long and breastfeeding is recommended up to 2 years. Should my work have a policy on this? I got a bad enough reaction being pregnant so the thoughts of asking for time off for feeding might send my boss over the edge!

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You have had on reply on the actual guidelines. I am going to look at the practicalities - by the time you go back to work, your baby will be on solids so will need far less breast feeding. You may be able to express the milk required while you are home.

Also, the recommended breast feeding is for at least the first 6 months, so 2 years would be at the very upper end. At that age, nutrition is primarily from normal foodstuffs anyway.

So I am not sure you really have much of a problem in real terms. Unfortunately, guidelines and reality are often far apart and by all means go and press the point, but only if you really need to.

By the way, if your boss is going spare tell him to take a look at [broken link removed]in today's Irish Times.

Breastmilk provides more calories and nutrition than solids up until after a child is a year old. As my daughter is likely to be allergic to cows milk I intend on breastfeeding for as long as it works out for both of us.I can't predict now how long that will be. In order to keep my milk supply up and to avoid engorgement and mastitis it would be necessary to express at least once in and 8 hour working day. I was wondering if I would be confined to doing it in my lunch break in the car or if I had the right to time off to do it at work.

AFAIK the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 only makes provisions for breastfeeding mothers who have given birth within the previous 26 weeks.

sandrat said:

Breastmilk provides more calories and nutrition than solids up until after a child is a year old. As my daughter is likely to be allergic to cows milk I intend on breastfeeding for as long as it works out for both of us.

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Hi,

Out of interest how long would you think that would be, if it worked out for both of ye?
My sister in law brestfed her son until he was about 2 1/2 years old. Although it was mostly at bed time near the end.

My wife is breastfeeding at the moment and will return to work when our child is about nine months old.

not sure if i could manage 2 1/2 but i'll play it by ear. I'll probably be on to baby 2 by then please god! I'd say fair play to your wife and your sister in law though. Its national breastfeeding week next week so watch out for breastfeeders wherever your go!