Breast feeding workers

By Julie Richards, Lesley Wood, RCM Health and Safety Advisor

26 January, 2024

3 minutes read

When you work in maternity services, people would understandably expect your workplace to be the one of the most supportive around all things pregnancy and breastfeeding. Yet a recent RCM survey of health and safety reps found this to be very far from the truth.

As midwives and MSWs, we all know the scientific evidence supporting breastfeeding exclusively for at least the first six months, evidence that is mirrored in UK Government guidance. However, we are also aware of the barriers women who return to work while still breastfeeding face. For midwives and MSWs the barriers can be even greater, with shift patterns, workload, little or no time to express and nowhere to store milk safely.

As part of our Caring for You programme, the RCM undertook a survey of our health and safety reps, as well as talking to Directors and Heads of Midwifery, to get a better understanding of what facilities are available and how well members who are breastfeeding are supported in the workplace.

While there are some examples of good practice, some members reported giving up breastfeeding altogether, with many saying they felt stress, anxiety, and guilt as a result. At a time when retention of experienced staff is vital, there are serious implications for employers too, as workersĀ may delay returning to work, or decide not to return to work at all.

survey resultsĀ  Ā Breast feeding survey result

To view the resultsĀ click here

Of course, itā€™s important to note that this isnā€™t the experience everywhere. As a national organisation, the RCM has access to workplaces across all four nations, so we get to see the good, as well as those places that could do with some improvement. It can be hard when you work in one Trust or Board to know whatā€™s going on elsewhere, so weā€™ve pulled together some examples of good practice around breastfeeding that you might be able to apply where you work.

Sherwood Forest NHS Hospitals FT
Maternity departments are often already stretched for space, so finding somewhere to use for people to breastfeed or express can be tricky. Sherwood Forest NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust got round this by installing a specially-designed breastfeeding pod for visitors and staff to use. Not only is this private, comfortable and convenient, it also means that they didnā€™t use valuable space elsewhere.

Birmingham Womenā€™s and Children NHS FT
Returning to work following maternity leave can be daunting for all sorts of reasons, but Birmingham Womenā€™s and Childrenā€™s NHS Foundation Trust try to put staff at ease. Within maternity services, as part of their return to work from maternity leave, they discuss feeding and what flexibility the person requires. If they want to express, there is a quiet, calm, private space in the birth centre and then milk can be stored in the milk fridge.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Like their neighbours at Birmingham Womenā€™s, the leadership team discusses with the returning worker their needs and requirements for and formulate individual plans for staff members wishing to continue to breastfeed or express when returning to work.

The RCM hasĀ information and resources to help you understand your rights and negotiate with your employer. And donā€™t forget, RCM workplace representatives are really well-placed to support you on this and many other issues. Of course, your employer may already have some good processes and practice in place, which could be useful information for others. Weā€™d love to hear about it so we can share it with members across the UK viaĀ Breastfeedingworkers@RCM.org.uk

While good local policies are really valuable, we know that they arenā€™t a requirement ā€“ which is why thereā€™s so much disparity. Thatā€™s why the RCM continues to raise concerns that the law does not protect or support breastfeeding at work, calling for change to improve your rights.

Please contact your RCM Workplace representative, Regional Officer, or regional organiser for support if you have issues, want to share information, or take part in influencing change.

RCM Connect 0300 303 0444

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