New mothers had to express milk in toilet

ONE in three breastfeeding mothers has been forced to use a toilet when they express milk after they return to work, according to a survey.

More than half said they have had to express in an unsuitable place, including the staff room, their car or their desk and highlighted a lack of workplace support after having a baby.

As a result, almost one-third said they had experienced problems while trying to express, including issues with their supply, infections and anxiety. These difficulties resulted in 30 per cent of mothers stopping earlier than they would have liked.

One 36-year-old pharmaceutical worker, who has remained anonymous because she feared losing her job, said her employer had not provided adequate facilities to express milk while at work.

The mother-of-one said: “At head office there isn’t a specific room to use, so I have to try and find an empty office or conference room, which don’t have locks or any privacy. I’ve had to use the toilets on many occasions.”

Employment law states that breastfeeding staff should have a place to rest, but there is no requirement for workers to have paid breaks to express milk or feed their baby.

Half of breastfeeding mothers said their bosses did not know what to do, had no facilities or felt embarrassed by the conversation, according to the survey by the law firm Slater and Gordon.

One of the firm’s employment law specialists, Paula Chan said: “No mother should feel forced to express milk for her child in a toilet.”