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Can an employee breastfeed during working hours?

Verified 18 August 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, the employee can breastfeed her child during working hours for 1 year from birth. We explain how breastfeeding is organized during working hours.

Yes, an employee can take time off work to breastfeed 1 hour a day, divided into 2 periods:

  • 30 minutes during morning work
  • 30 minutes in the afternoon

In the absence of agreement with the employer, this period is placed in the middle of each half-day's work.

Please note

this breastfeeding period is reduced to 20 minutes if the employer provides employees with a room dedicated to breastfeeding (inside or near the premises assigned to work).

No, these breaks are not paid.

However, treaty provisions may provide for such breaks to be remunerated.

The rules vary according to the number of employees in the company.

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Company of less than 100 employees

The employer is not obliged to provide a room for breastfeeding.

The employee may breastfeed at or outside the workplace.

Company of more than 100 employees

The employer may be instructed by the labor inspector to settle a breastfeeding room in (or near) his establishment.

The breastfeeding room must meet the following requirements:

  • Separation of any working premises
  • Ventilation and windows or other openings with movable frames opening directly onto the outside
  • Continuous air renewal
  • Suitable lighting
  • Provided with sufficient water or close to a sink
  • Provided with suitable seats for breastfeeding
  • Constant state of cleanliness (daily cleaning and carried out without the presence of children)
  • Temperature suitable under hygienic conditions

No, there is no specific leave for an employee to breastfeed her child after maternity leave.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    The informants who answer you belong to the ministry responsible for labor.

    Cost: free service

    Attention: the service does not respond questions relating to unemployment compensation and representations to Pôle emploi, civil servants or public service contractors, the amount or payment of social, wage or employer contributions.

    The service is available at the following times:

    • Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m

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