We’d love to know how you get on – was there anything which turned out to be especially helpful or is there anything we missed? If you have any feedback please contact Professor Sarah Jewell (s.l.jewell@reading.ac.uk).
In this guide we provide a list of potentially useful resources and some useful resources to signpost your employees to, if you wish.
Employer/Organisation Resources
Employer legal obligations
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance on pregnant and new mothers:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/index.htm
HSE guidance on rest and breastfeeding at work:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/rest-breastfeeding-at-work.htm
HSE information on risk assessments:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/risk-assessment.htm
HSE information on common risks:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/common-risks.htm
Maternity Action toolkit:
https://maternityactionemployers.org.uk/toolkit/
The Breastfeeding Network has a Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/bfn-breastfeeding-friendly-scheme/
with information on becoming a breastfeeding friendly employer:
Information on less typical breastfeeding circumstances:
Sick children: Lyndsey Hookway IBCLC has done a lot of research on breastfed sick children (particularly medically complex children), her provides a suite of resources on breastfed sick children: https://breastfeedingthebrave.com/
Relactation and induced lactation : La Leche League https://laleche.org.uk/relactation-induced-lactation/ and the Association of Breastfeeding mothers https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/relactation/ provide a useful overview of relactation and induced lactation
Donating breastmilk: The UK Association For Milk Banking https://ukamb.org/ and The Human Milk Foundation https://humanmilkfoundation.org/ provide useful information on breastmilk donation
Useful Resources to Signpost Employees to
Services and Charities: Information on Breastfeeding and Work
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/breastfeeding-work/
Breastfeeding Network: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-information/continuing-the-breastfeeding-journey/returning-to-work-or-study/
Health and Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/index.htm
NHS Guidance for mothers: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/back-to-work/ and https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-returning-to-work/
La Leche League: https://laleche.org.uk/working-and-breastfeeding/
Maternity Action: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/continuing-to-breastfeed-when-you-return-to-work/
Breastfeeding Support and Information
You may wish to signpost employees to sources of support regarding breastfeeding and information, and any support provided in your organisation such as any parent and carer network or peer support.
Find a local breastfeeding support group
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: https://abm.me.uk/find-a-local-breastfeeding-support-group/
Breastfeeding network: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drop-in-centres-map/
La Leche League GB: https://laleche.org.uk/find-lll-support-group/
National Childbirth Trust Baby Cafes: https://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/community-support-programmes/nct-baby-cafe
Helplines
The National Breastfeeding helpline: 0300 100 0212 is available 24/7. The National Breastfeeding helpline also offers a web-based breastfeeding support service and social media support: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/chat/
La Leche League: 0345 120 2918; you can contact a local La League Leader if one is available in your area: https://laleche.org.uk/call/#leaders
National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Infant Feeding Line: 0300 330 0700
One to one Breastfeeding Support
Search for a IBCLC lactation consultant: https://lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/
Breastfeeding Information
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/
Breastfeeding Network: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/
La Leche League: https://laleche.org.uk/get-support/#bfinfo
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): https://www.nct.org.uk/
You may wish to signpost employees to the following charities who support perinatal mental health and resources:
Pandas foundation: https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org
Professor Amy Brown’s breastfeeding grief resources: https://professoramybrown.co.uk/articles/f/supporting-breastfeeding-grief—a-collection-of-resources/
