Peer-reviewed article
Breast Feeding Experiences of NHS Staff Returning to Work From Maternity Leave: A National Study
Hearfield H, Collier J, Paize F ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 1,201 NHS staff about their experiences breastfeeding after returning to work from maternity leave. Most women wanted to continue breastfeeding but faced significant barriers, including lack of access to basic facilities like lockable rooms and fridges, inadequate time, and poor awareness of workplace policies. The report found widespread non-compliance with NHS breastfeeding guidelines, with many women experiencing stress, humiliation, and mental health impacts as a result.
Key points
- 79% of women were breastfeeding when they returned to work, but only 59% wished to continue
- 78% of women were unaware of local breastfeeding policies, and only 7% were informed by their employer
- Basic facility requirements were not consistently met: 50% lacked lockable rooms, 51% lacked fridges, 69% lacked adequate time
- 52% reported embarrassment and humiliation; 60% reported stress directly due to expressing difficulties, with 15% experiencing mental health problems
- 88% of women did not have their duties adapted, and 91% regularly held work bleeps whilst expressing
Limitations
This study used a convenience sample recruited via social media, which may not represent all NHS staff experiences and could overrepresent women with more negative experiences. The survey was cross-sectional without baseline data, so causation between workplace barriers and outcomes cannot be definitively established.
Abstract
Aims Anecdotally, NHS staff feel unsupported in breastfeeding when returning to work from maternity leave. The NHS provides clear guidance to employers about provisions required for breastfeeding employees (clean lockable room, adequate time, clean fridge). We aimed to establish if these provisions were provided for NHS staff, and to further explore the difficulties reported. Methods We conducted a pilot study of NHS doctors, exploring their experiences of feeding on returning to work. The results highlighted difficulties for many of the 519 cases. We extended the study to encapsulate the experiences of all NHS professionals. The survey was distributed via various professional social media accounts. Results We received 1201 responses. 79% of women were breastfeeding when they returned to work. 59% wished to continue on return. 78% of women were unaware of the local breastfeeding policy. Of those that were, only 7% were informed of the policy by their employer. 90% of women were unaware that they needed to inform their employer of their intention to breastfeed. Only 6% of women had a breastfeeding risk assessment on their return to work. Basic requirements were not consistently met (50% did not have access to a lockable room, 51% to a fridge, 69% to adequate time). 55% were interrupted whilst expressing. 23% of women expressed in changing rooms; 32% in toilets; 25% in their cars; 15% in cupboards. 88% of women did not have their duties adapted. 91% regularly held the bleep whilst expressing. 52% of women reported embarrassment and humiliation at work. 60% reported stress directly due to their difficulties expressing, with a further 15% experiencing mental health problems. 10% of women felt their experiences negatively affected their bond with their child. Conclusion Only 1% of UK mothers continue to breastfeed at six months. There is a huge NHS drive to improve this statistic. 76.7% of NHS staff are women. These women are also NHS patients. NHS breastfeeding guidelines are not being consistently followed within the organisation. There is a direct impact on mother and child, and on patient care. We must support our NHS family, create a positive breastfeeding culture, and lead UK change. “I was ridiculed… it set me apart from my colleagues.” “Resigning was my only option.” “Subject to eye rolls and whispers… rude, unsupported and unkind.” “He unlocked the door and walked in while I shouted “stop”.”