The importance of breastfeeding infants for the first six months of their lives is emphasised by South Africa’s Public Health Policy.
To support this, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and its accompanying Code of Good Practice on the Protection of Employees during Pregnancy and after the Birth of a Child outline provisions for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
According to these regulations, employers are required to grant breastfeeding mothers a minimum of two (2) breaks per day, each lasting at least thirty (30) minutes, specifically for the purpose of breastfeeding or expressing milk during the first six months of their child’s life. These breaks should be provided in addition to the employee’s regular tea and lunch breaks.
It is the responsibility of the employee to communicate with her employer if she intends to continue breastfeeding beyond six (6) months and to collaborate on arrangements that facilitate and support breastfeeding.