Hello people,

I want to have a little rant to let off steam. I had a mother call me today
wanting to know what she could do about her work situation and
breastfeeding. But first, for those who read lactnet standing-up, eating
their lunch etc - please sit down.
This mother works as a carer in a childcare facility where she cares for
kids 2-4 years, she has a baby of 5 weeks and will be going back to work
soon (2 days per week). The baby will go to the same creche and obviously
the baby group. Sounds good hey? Mother and baby close by to breastfeed when
necessary. Well, all is not so rosey. The powers to be will not "allow' her
to put the baby to the breast at work! Now wait, it gets better - she is
"allowed" to express milk and bring it to her baby so that another carer can
give the bottle!!!!!!! Now wheres the sense in that - I mean, what takes
longer, expressing the milk AND feeding the baby or just feeding the
baby -hmmm difficult.
Anyway to cut a long groan short, I was able to give her the original legal
text which states that a breastfeeding mother has legal rights to breastfeed
her child at work (on-site or off-site, or express milk) for up to a quarter
of her normal working time, until that baby is 9 months. She's going to try
and sort it out with her employer, other wise is planning to take the matter
further, infact, as far as she can go!

Sometimes I think about setting up a "booby" prize for "those people"
spouting the most incredible, insane nonsense surrounding breastfeeding.

groetjes

Sara Bernard BSc + 2005 exam hopefull
The Netherlands - where we have a fairly sane law regarding employment and
bf - which sadly gets swept under the carpter and not adhered to :-(

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