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Breastfeeding support in the workplace

Find out about supporting breastfeeding in the workplace, including the legal obligations employers have, best practices and workplace policies.

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What employers can do

Here are some ways you can support breastfeeding in your workplace: 

Use HWW resources

Workplaces can use our free breastfeeding in the workplace resources, including our toolkit and toolbox talk. You can find these on breastfeeding support in the workplace resources page.

Our Breastfeeding in the Workplace Toolkit is designed to support employers across Wales in creating inclusive, family-friendly working environments that enable employees to continue breastfeeding when they return to work.

Our Breastfeeding Friendly Employer badge is available to organisations that have committed to creating a breastfeeding friendly workplace for employees.

Policies and handbooks

You should outline the support available for breastfeeding in the workplace. Include how employees can request accommodations when returning to work while breastfeeding. 

Make your policy available to all staff. You can add it to an existing policy or handbook and carry out regular reviews.

If you’re a smaller business, you may not need a formal policy. But it is still important to discuss breastfeeding support with employees.

Our Breastfeeding in the Workplace Toolkit also includes a breastfeeding charter. This document provides a clear framework for supporting breastfeeding parents in the workplace and employers can demonstrate their commitment to best practice by implementing its standards.

Our Breastfeeding Friendly Employer badge is available to organisations that have committed to the breastfeeding charter.

Communication and culture

It is good practice to discuss breastfeeding arrangements with returning employees. You can do this during ‘keeping in touch’ (KIT) days. 

Our Breastfeeding in the Workplace Toolkit includes information about starting the conversation about breastfeeding at work.

Use staff communication channels to share information and promote workplace wellbeing campaigns. Doing this can help you promote a positive and inclusive culture.

Workplaces can also support campaigns including World Breastfeeding Week.

Learn from other organisations

Find out how Fun Foundations Nursey and Public Health Wales support their staff to breastfeed in the workplace. 

Page last reviewed: 17th August 2026

A woman breastfeeding her baby.