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Closed Require employers to provide breaks for breastfeeding mums to express

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Legally require employers to provide breaks for breastfeeding mums to express, no matter how many hours they work. Currently employers must meet certain health and safety regulations to protect mothers who wish to breastfeed or express, however they are not obliged to grant breaks for mums to do so.

Delays in expressing can lead to an increased risk of mastitis and a drop in a breastfeeding mum’s milk supply. The World Health Organisation recommend babies are breastfed exclusively for the first six months and can continue to be breastfeed to two and beyond. How can mums be expected to carry on breastfeeding if they aren’t guaranteed a break to allow them to express milk. I believe it should be illegal to refuse a breastfeeding mum a break to express.

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  • Related activity

    Share your views and experiences of breastfeeding with MPs

    On Tuesday 8 March, Alison Thewliss MP will lead a debate in Parliament on government support for breastfeeding.

    To inform the debate, she wants to hear about your experiences and ideas.

    • What kinds of policies would have encouraged or supported you, your families or friends to breastfeed?

    • To what extent do you think advertising influences the decision to start, or continue, breastfeeding?

    Alison may quote your contribution directly during her debate. 

    Find out more and share your experiences: https://ukparliament.shorthandstories.com/cet-breastfeeding/index.html?utm_campaign=0322-cet-breastfeedingsupport-petitioners&utm_medium=email&utm_source=petcom

    Videos of the debate, the transcript and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate on this webpage. 

    The deadline for contributions is midday on Monday 7 March.

    What are Westminster Hall debates?  

    Westminster Hall is the second Chamber of the House of Commons.   
    Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.  

    Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. 

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    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

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    This petition will stay open until 5 January 2022.