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14% of breastfeeding mums said they had to pump in their car

New data shows 56% of breastfeeding mums say they expressed milk in unsuitable places when they returned to work.

The study from law firm Slater and Gordon reveals employers are not providing spaces for mums to pump milk.

Currently the law does not require an employer to grant paid breaks from a job in order to breastfeed or to express milk for storage.

A third of mums have had to use a toilet to pump.

“This research is concerning”

Almost a third (30%) said they’ve suffered problems as a result of expressing at work, including infections and anxiety.

Paula Chan, a specialist employment lawyer at Slater and Gordon, said: “This research is concerning. No mother should feel forced to express milk for her child in a toilet.

“People would be horrified at the thought of food being prepared in such unhygienic conditions so it’s unacceptable that we are in a situation where that is considered to be an option when preparing milk for a baby.”

The study also found:

  • 14% of breastfeeding mums said they had to pump in their car.
  • 11% said they had to pump at their desk.
  • 30% also said they had to stop breastfeeding earlier than they would have liked.

Women face embarrassing situations at work

Almost three-quarters of women surveyed (70%) said their employer had never raised the subject of breastfeeding with them. This left them to broach the topic themselves.

But 29% said they felt too embarrassed to have the conversation. As a result of this, 22% experienced embarrassing leaks.

Furthermore, 13% said their colleagues excluded them from conversations, and 11% said they missed important meetings.

Paula Chan added: “Employers need to recognise that supporting women with breastfeeding is not only a matter of safeguarding their health and well-being and that of their child, but will undoubtedly mean returning mothers feel supported and more engaged, which in turn will help employers retain key talent.”

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