Breastfeeding Friendly employers

The Breastfeeding Friendly Award for Employers signposts workplaces in the city that offer a good level of facilities and support for breastfeeding parents.

Returning to work is one of the key barriers to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding rates drop quickly as parents begin to return to work due to them feeling unsupported or unsure of how to navigate breastfeeding and returning to work.

Breastfeeding Friendly Award for Employers

The Breastfeeding Friendly Award for Employers signposts workplaces in the city that offer a good level of facilities and support for breastfeeding parents. 

Signing up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Award for Employers is a powerful way of promoting your supportive work environment for parents. 

Adopting supportive breastfeeding policies in your workplace underpins your commitment to staff wellbeing, improving morale and performance. 

It could help retain experienced staff and contribute to a more stable workforce as breastfed children are less likely to be ill resulting in a reduced need for parental leave.

A woman sat breastfeeding. Someone is offering her a drink

Why sign up

While the law in the UK mandates certain provisions for breastfeeding parents, that’s not the only reason to ensure your workplace is breastfeeding friendly.

Studies have shown that employers who provide a breastfeeding friendly workplace benefit from:

  • reduced staff absence- breastfed babies are less likely to become ill so their parent/s are less likely to need time off
  • reduced staff turnover and increased loyalty- people are more likely to stay with a company which accommodates their needs as new parents
  • a more stable workforce
  • higher job satisfaction
  • increased morale – supporting breastfeeding can reduce stress for new parents, allowing them to focus on their work, which in improves overall productivity

Other benefits of signing up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Award include:

  • reinforcement of your reputation as a family-friendly workplace
  • decrease recruitment costs: increased retention rates mean you save on the cost of recruiting and training new employees
  • attract top talent: a breastfeeding-friendly workplace is an attractive feature for job candidates
  • demonstrates your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
  • free publicity: workplaces that sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Award will be publicised on the Breastfeeding in Sheffield website and promoted across social media

It’s free to sign up as well!

Sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace scheme (Microsoft Form)

What’s involved

In order to sign up for the Breastfeeding Friendly Award for Employers, you need to:

  • be happy to support breastfeeding in Sheffield by providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding parents
  • implement a breastfeeding policy (example can be provided by Breastfeeding in Sheffield)
  • ensure existing staff and new employees are aware of policy and supportive of breastfeeding parents
  • staff are protected from harassment
  • flexible breastfeeding breaks (agreed by both employer and employee)
  • clean, private space (can be a multipurpose room-not a toilet) with a comfortable chair
  • space for workers to store expressed milk during their shift
  • review your Breastfeeding Friendly Award status every 3 years

Desirable qualities are having:

  • clean refrigerator for storing expressed breast milk
  • identify a Breastfeeding Champion
  • flexible working hours around the employee’s breastfeeding needs
  • displaying the Breastfeeding Friendly Award signage

Why breastfeeding is so important

Breastmilk meets all of a baby’s nutritional needs, promotes healthy brain development and helps strengthen the development of the baby’s immature immune system, resulting in better health, even years after breastfeeding has ended.

Breastfeeding reduces a baby’s chances of developing:

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • obesity
  • diarrhoea and stomach bugs
  • ear infections and chest infections
  • asthma and eczema 

It can also build a strong emotional bond. This encourages:

  • emotional wellbeing
  • good mental health
  • better social development
  • readiness for school

Adopting supportive breastfeeding policies in your workplace underpins your commitment to staff wellbeing. 

Further guidance is available from Health and Safety Executive