Expressing and Work?

[BrightSparkles]

Well... sadly it looks like I have to return to work earlier than we had planned. Miss S will be 5 months so about the same age Miss J was when I went back to work. It is a decision that has been plaguing me to no end for a long time and caused many sleepless nights.

Am I entitled to time to express milk or is this at the discretion of my employer? I will have to make an appointment with my boss to arrange a final date to return to work, but so I can put in place some plans now.

I want to . I really don't want to do this but I can't see any other options.

[Fleur]

Legally, you are entitled to expressing breaks.

Big hugs I feel you. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

[MantaRay]

You are absolutely entitled to lactation breaks hun, as well as a suitable place to express. This is a very important health issue - no expressing can lead to mastitis. If you have any trouble, contact the ABA - they can give you some advice to help.

I have twice returned to work while bfing, so let me know if you want some information on how it works.

[Epacris]

Hey Sunshine, another working/breastfeeding/expressing Mummy here. Just popping in with some warmth and encouragement for you. As MantaRay says, please come back and ask more questions about all the technicalities if you need to.

[Ryatha]

I returned to work at the beginning of the year and totally stressed out about expressing, and I really didn't want to go back to work. It is possible to keep the BFing going as I have been working full time for 7 months and still BFing. I love how I am still able to give that to DD2 even though I am not with her. Make sure you have a good electric double pump or work out how to express manually and like the other posters have said, come in here and ask lots of questions, I know I sure did

[levi78]

im not exactly sure that you are strictly "legally" entitled to expressing breaks. It would really depend on your employment contract terms and what your work arrangements are - full time, part time etc - contract or award etc and what state you are living in. I know the NSW public service has just negoiated a deal for women to have expressing breaks - however if an employer did not allow you to express - you would possibly have a discrimination case on the basis of being discriminated against due to you not being allowed to express.

i would try and negoiate with your employer and inform him prior to your return of your intention to express - if you have any problems and i was you i would contact the anti-discrimination commission in your state and have a chat to them. i would be armed with what your rights are prior to having that chat.

hope this helps,

best of luck -

[kungfubecca]

I agree that there may be some workplace awards that don't spell out in black and white that you have a right to express, but you certainly can't be discriminated against. Regardless of that policy, they are obliged to provide a space to express and suitable storage.

In my situation I choose to use the lunch break and 2 tea breaks my employer offered to eveyone to express, and with a manual pump could complete in about 10 mins. it wasn't long before bubs cut down feeds and I could slowly reduce when I expressed.

The hardest part for me was that I work in an office environment and it is difficult to get a room to express in without having to ask and I don't think I should have to ask to use the HR managers office.