Publication
Breastfeeding and Returning to Work: A Simple Guide
| Contents: | Benefits to your workplace Legal duties and obligations Examples of good practice Resources Useful contacts Why promote breastfeeding within the workplace? |
Why promote breastfeeding within the workplace?
The promotion of breastfeeding is a national priority in Scotland. Workplaces can help! With 58% of women of childbearing age in employment (full and part-time) your organisation can make a difference.
Exclusive breastfeeding for about six months of life offers major health advantages to mothers and babies, so it is important that mothers are enabled to continue breastfeeding when they return to work. The World Health Organization advises that breastfeeding should continue alongside the introduction of solid foods, for up to and beyond the age of two years.
Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation, employers have a statutory general duty of care to ensure the health and safety of all employees on an individual basis. This duty of care extends to ensuring that the breastfeeding child does not suffer any adverse effects as a result of their mother’s work.
Employers can contribute to the health of their employees and their families by establishing a policy of support for breastfeeding mothers.
Good maternal and child health means good business for your company. The benefits to your organisation are real and are easy to achieve.