Expressing and Work?

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

Legally, you are entitled to expressing breaks.

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

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.

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

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 :hug:

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 - :)

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.