A new all-Wales toolkit has been launched to help employers create workplaces that better support mothers who want to continue breastfeeding after returning from maternity leave.

The All-Wales Breastfeeding in the Workplace Line Managers Toolkit is the result of a major collaboration between Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, trade unions, employers, NHS organisations and the third sector. It has been published by Healthy Working Wales to coincide with World Breastfeeding Week.

The toolkit was developed after the Welsh Partnership Forum identified a need for practical guidance to help employers and line managers support breastfeeding employees. Evidence presented to the forum highlighted the difficulties many women face when returning to work, often leading to breastfeeding ending earlier than planned.

Designed for immediate use, the toolkit provides practical advice on employers' legal responsibilities, guidance on suitable facilities for expressing and storing breast milk, and includes a Breastfeeding Charter that organisations can adopt to demonstrate their commitment to supporting staff.

The initiative aims to promote a consistent approach across workplaces in Wales, helping employers create environments where breastfeeding employees feel supported rather than disadvantaged.

According to the World Health Organization, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, before continuing breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for two years or beyond. However, many mothers encounter practical and workplace-related barriers that make this difficult after maternity leave ends.

Public Health Wales says creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces is not only beneficial for families but also makes good business sense. Research suggests organisations that support breastfeeding can improve staff retention, reduce recruitment and training costs, and lower sickness absence by promoting the health and wellbeing of both mothers and babies.

Rachel Bath, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales, said the toolkit was created in direct response to concerns raised by partners across Wales.

"This toolkit is the result of partners across Wales coming together to respond to an identified need. The Welsh Partnership Forum recognised that women can face significant challenges in continuing breastfeeding when they return to work and asked for practical guidance that employers could use.

"The output of this collaborative work is a practical toolkit shaped by the people who will use it, helping organisations create environments that support breastfeeding and give babies the best start in life."

The launch reflects a wider commitment across Wales to ensure breastfeeding is supported not only within families and healthcare settings but also in workplaces, where many mothers spend much of their time after returning to employment.

Employers are being encouraged to use the toolkit to review their own policies and facilities, helping to create inclusive workplace cultures that enable mothers to continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose.