BREASTFEEDING employees within the Western Trust will be eligible for additional breaks for expressing milk where necessary, thanks to a new policy designed to support and encourage breastfeeding for longer.


The World Health Organisation (WHO) now recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed infants for the child’s first six months and thereafter, continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond, along with nutritious complementary foods.


“It is our aim to create a family friendly workplace,” says the Trust’s policy, “The Trust encourages employees and management to have a positive accepting attitude towards working women who are breastfeeding.”


According to the policy, employees who wish to continue to breastfeed upon return to work will be eligible to take additional breaks for expressing milk if it is required and in agreement with their line manager.


The policy states that the “normal time required for expressing milk is usually 20 minutes once or twice a day or two to three times within a 12 hour shift pattern”.


Where possible, employees will also be allocated a private room (not a toilet), according to the policy.


“Every reasonable attempt will be made to ensure the room is lockable and clean, located near a sink with running water for washing hands and rinsing out breast pump parts, and have an electrical outlet,” it states.


The policy also adds that “line managers and HR Departments will support pregnant and breastfeeding employees through negotiating breaks and practices that will help facilitate each employee’s infant feeding goals”.


Employees wishing to express milk after their return to work will be expected to inform their line manager in writing of their needs at least 28 days prior to returning to work.


The policy says each breastfeeding employee will be responsible for purchasing, cleaning and maintaining all their own breast pump equipment and storage of milk.


“Employees should label all milk expressed with her name and the date collected so that it is not inadvertently confused with another employee’s milk,” the policy reads, “It is recommended that personal cool bags or a resealable container be used within a refrigerator if this is available.
“The Trust will support a mother breastfeeding for as long as is reasonably practical,” it adds.