Just on this, why shouldnt you use it if its there for you to use? I mean, if you are genuinely breast feeding (not pretending to!). It was put in place to allow women to use it. Are you suggesting that because some women dont use it, others shouldnt?
So what's the alternative ? Don't employ women of child bearing age ?
In this case I also think this is a bit cheeky - I know plenty of women who work and breastfeed was well but they pump early morning and leave bottles - its 'll about preparation.
No, what I am suggesting is that people should take what they actually need rather then what they are entitled to.
I have no doubt she is entitled to it i'm not questioning that! For me, I would say that after a 10 month maternity leave a good routine could have been established which doesn't involve taking an hour of each morning to breastfeed - yes you are entitled to it, does that mean you should use every single hour of it? I'm not so sure!
Here you appear to be suggesting that women dont need the time - they need to be better prepared.
How do you know some women, and in particular the woman the OP referred to, dont need it?
Well obviously I cannot speak for all women who breastfeed but yes I do believe that a good routine and preparations could be made in a ten month maternity leave. If the woman (any woman) could be better prepared then I do believe that she should strive for that rather than taking extra time off .
Breastfeeding and employment
Under Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 certain women in employment who are breastfeeding are entitled to take time off work each day in order to breastfeed. The provision applies to all women in employment who have given birth within the previous 6 months. Employers are not obliged to provide facilities in the workplace to facilitate breastfeeding if the provision of such facilities would give rise to considerable costs. At the choice of her employer, the woman may therefore opt to:
Just noted on this that it says women who have given birth in the previous six months? In this instance the baby is ten months old according to OP so is she actually entitled to this leave?
So you think that women should strive to be better prepared. Does that mean that a persons job is more important, or should be more important than their children?
That would actually make sense as six months is the statutory amount of time you are allowed to take off from work to have a baby - so presumably anyone who goes back before then is actually still entitled to be on leave and therefore entitled to take time off to breastfeed.
Petty arguments about jobs more important then kids etc don't interest me..... sorry
Agreed! this does make sense. Perhaps the person involved has an agreement with management? perhaps not getting paid? either way I don't think she is entitled to it.
Maternity leave is currently 26 weeks. Many Irish women return to work from the time their baby is 26 weeks. Some mothers take unpaid leave but will return to paid employment before their baby is 2 years old.
How can I continue to breastfeed?
It helps to plan ahead before you return to work. You will be making arrangements for childcare. Think about the childcare option that suits you, your working hours and your plans to continue to breastfeed. See the section below for points to consider when making childcare arrangements.
Depending on the age of your baby when you return to work you and your baby’s needs will vary. For example a 7 month old baby may still be feeding at regular intervals during the day. A baby who is near to his first birthday may just be feeding in the morning and evening. Feeding patterns will vary from one baby to the next, but older babies will tend to feed less often.
You will also need to consider your needs in relation to your milk supply and how to combine pumping / expressing and work. It is a good idea to start to express milk several weeks before you go back to work. This will help you to have a good milk supply and also ensure that you have a supply of expressed milk ready for your childminder. Taking lactation breaks to express milk will help you to continue to have a good milk supply and have milk for your childminder to give to your baby the next day.
Consider also what arrangement suits you and your baby best and discuss with your manager as soon as possible. For example you may want your baby to be brought to you for breastfeeding breaks. You may wish to have lactation breaks or flexible working arrangements so that you can express milk.
women should strive to be better prepared,
Weird though, breastfeeding.ie seems to think she is:
Talking about 7 month old babies, and 2 year olds? I am confused.
And the question remains - why?
Why should women strive to be better prepared?
In this instance does the article not just give advice on how to continue to breastfeed/pump i.e practical solutions - it doesn't mention anything about being entitled to do this by taking time off work??
Breastfeeding and work
It is important that mothers are supported to continue to breastfeed when they go back to work. The WHO, Department of Health and HSE recommend that children are exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Thereafter they should continue to breastfeed in
combination with appropriate complementary foods to two years of age and beyond.
The longer you breastfeed, the greater the health protection for your baby and you. The positive impact of breastfeeding shows a dose-response relationship with improved health outcomes associated with longer breastfeeding duration and lasting many years after the cessation of breastfeeding (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005).
Maternity leave is currently 26 weeks. Many Irish women return to work from the time their baby is 26 weeks. Some mothers take unpaid leave but will return to paid employment before their baby is 2 years old...........
Because they can!
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