WHO / Faizza Tanggol
31-year-old Melaia breastfeeds her 10-week baby boy Temesia while waiting at Galoa Nursing Station.

Key messages

Making breastfeeding at work, work, makes societies work! Breastfeeding provides vital health and nutritional benefits for children with positive lifelong impacts, building healthier populations – and workforces - for the future.
Women shouldn’t have to choose between breastfeeding their children and their jobs. Breastfeeding support is possible regardless of workplace, sector, or contract type.
Effective maternity protections improve children’s and women’s health and increase breastfeeding. And yet, at present, more than half a billion working women lack access to vital maternity provisions; many more find themselves unsupported when they go back to work.
All women everywhere – no matter their work - should have
- At least 18 weeks, preferably more than 6 months, paid maternity leave;
- Paid time off for breastfeeding or expressing milk upon returning to work;
- Flexible return to work options.

Policymakers can make breastfeeding and work, work by

Legislating at least 18 weeks, preferably more than 6 months, paid maternity leave
Ensuring employers provide paid time off and a dedicated space for breastfeeding or expressing milk after this period
Ensuring all women have access to maternity entitlements, including those in the informal sector or on limited contracts
Tackling employment-related discrimination against women, including during and after pregnancy and birth

Providing maternity leave that – at minimum - meets national requirements
Providing time and space for breastfeeding or expressing and storing breastmilk
Providing options that reduce separation of women from their babies after maternity leave, such as: