Become a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace

Home Become a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace

Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Initiative

Many women are returning to work after the birth of their baby and wish to continue to breastfeed. Combining work and breastfeeding is made possible with a good plan and support from your workplace and family/whanau.

The Canterbury Breastfeeding Advocacy Service facilitates the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Initiative. This service provides support to businesses to plan how they can support both new and returning employees with breastfeeding and how they can become recognised as a breastfeeding friendly workplace. The service also provides support to women who are wishing to continue breastfeeding and working. The Canterbury Breastfeeding Advocacy Service has a number of resources for businesses and women providing information and support for breastfeeding and work.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

[Supporting working women to breastfeed is] a win-win situation that builds loyal employees, gives babies the best source of nourishment available and benefits society as a whole.

Flavia Bustreo

Benefits for Business/ Workplace

Support employees to continue breastfeeding while working

Meet legislative requirements

All employers have a duty to support breastfeeding staff

Staff retention

Save money and time by retaining skilled and experienced staff and reduce the need to recruit replacement staff

Employee wellbeing

Increase productivity with well supported, happy staff who take fewer sick days (because continued breastfeeding protects against childhood illness)

Corporate social responsibility

Gain status and promotion by being listed as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace on our website and other publications and be known as a whānau-friendly employer

Get certified as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace

It's simple

What do I need to be certified?

To certify as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace, an employer organisation will

have a breastfeeding policy or specific reference to breastfeeding in organisational policy
offer a commitment to discuss individual requirements with staff prior to them leaving for parental leave and again prior to them returning to the workplace
provide adequate breaks
provide adequate spaces to breastfeed, chestfeed, or pump (accessible, available and private)
provide adequate facilities for breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or pumping (power outlet, access to a wash basin and a fridge)
commit to staff education on the importance of organisational support for breastfeeding/chestfeeding staff.