Maternal well-being, infant feeding and return to paid work decisions
The project ‘Maternal well-being, infant feeding and return to paid work decisions’ was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and was led by Professor Sarah Jewell, with co-investigators of Dr Sam Rawlings, Professor Marina Della Giusta, Professor Grace James and Professor Sylvia Jaworska. The project was supported by our research assistant Dr Fari Aftab.
In summer 2024 we released some preliminary findings from the project, and the project’s main report in summer 2025, along with a dedicated website for Resources for Supporting Breastfeeding and Return to Paid Work.
About the Study
Evidence has shown that not meeting breastfeeding goals has a detrimental effect on maternal well-being1. One potential barrier for continuing to breastfeed for as long as a mother and/or child wishes to is return to work. At the heart of this study was an exploration of the well-being, opportunities and experiences of new mothers who want to continue to breastfeed on return to paid work. It is focussed on investigating the lived realities of return to paid work on the decision making and well-being of this particular group of working mothers. The research aimed to fill a gap in UK knowledge by helping us better understand underpinning societal attitudes, legal frameworks and other obstacles that may shape decisions in this context and to explore the impact of these on the well-being of working mothers.
In particular, the study aimed to understand how breastfeeding employees could be better supported in the workplace, with an emphasis on maternal wellbeing, and how employers can be better equipped to support their employees. The study drew on a survey and interviews of mothers, the perspective of HR professionals and Line managers, and national datasets.
Key Findings and Implications
The study found that whilst there are general positive intentions among HR professionals and line managers, there is a lack of awareness in many workplaces of what is needed to support breastfeeding employees – both in terms of the legal obligations and practicalities. Further, there is a lack of awareness among returning mothers of what to expect in terms of their own (body) and child adjustments, practicalities and workplace support, leading to pre-return anxiety and concerns.
The current legal framework and guidance is not strong enough to ensure mothers can breastfeed/express breastmilk in hygienic and private places in the workplace or have the time to do so, thereby putting women’s physical and emotional wellbeing at risk. Furthermore, this lack of guidance results in an absence of formal workplace policy/structures leading to the onus being placed on mothers and line managers to make accommodations work.
It is clear that when adequately supported returning mothers are able to reach infant feeding goals then the return to paid work can be a positive experience which benefits all parties. Positive emotions were tied to being able to reconnect with their child through breastfeeding and being supported in meeting breastfeeding goals. Whilst some mothers have positive experiences, the lack of formal policy/structures, and awareness led to negative impacts on physical and emotional wellbeing.
This study has shown that mothers, HR professionals and line managers would benefit from greater awareness, information and guidance on the practicalities of combining breastfeeding and paid work, legal obligations and best practice. Therefore we have developed toolkits to support both mothers and employers, reflecting that experiences and the practicalities vary across mothers and workplaces, and the need for open/inclusive communication.
1 Brown, A. (2019). Why breastfeeding grief and trauma matter, Pinter and Martin.
The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare, and Justice. It also funds student programmes that provide opportunities for young people to develop skills in quantitative and scientific methods. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org