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Having a baby and navigating life as a new mum with a whole new set of responsibilities can take a while to adjust to. And for many mothers, the prospect of returning to work can raise mixed emotions. For some, it’s a welcome opportunity to reconnect with life before motherhood and to continue to forge ahead in a career. For others, the logistics of juggling homelife and worklife can feel overwhelming. And that can be especially so for those who choose to breastfeed. To help with the transition back to work, the Occupational Health experts at YourGP have compiled a list of practical tips for employers to ensure their workplace is as breastfeeding friendly as possible.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. Following this, WHO suggests continuing breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.
In the UK, however, while the legal right to maternity leave is 52 weeks, many women choose to take a shorter period, often aligning with the duration of Statutory Maternity Pay. In fact, the average maternity leave taken by new mothers is around 39 weeks (approximately 9 months).
So where does this leave mothers who wish to follow the advice of WHO and continue to breastfeed beyond their maternity leave?
It’s a dilemma faced by countless families, but one that could be helped immensely by proactive employers. By taking steps to make their workplace more breastfeeding friendly, employers can ensure a return to work doesn’t have to spell the end to a mother’s breastfeeding journey.
There are multiple benefits of breastfeeding, as countless studies have proven. For babies, breast milk provides:
Mothers also benefit hugely from breastfeeding. It can help to:
All of these benefits can have a positive knock-on effect for your business. By ensuring your workplace is breastfeeding friendly so your employees can continue to breastfeed if they wish, your business will benefit from:
If you’re interested in finding out more about ways to protect the health and wellbeing of your team, speak to the experts at YourGP about our wide range of corporate and occupational healthcare services. We’d be happy to tailor a package to your unique business needs. Simply call 0131 381 0322 or email occhealth@your.gp to make an appointment.
My medical was conducted in detail and I had a thorough check. The doctor listened to me and gave me some extra tips that are helpful. Most impressed.