Can an employee breastfeed during working hours?
Verified 14 February 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Yes, an employee may breastfeed her child during working hours for 1 year from birth. Does the employee have a leave of absence to breastfeed? Are nursing periods paid for? We explain how breastfeeding is organized during working hours.
Yes, a female employee can take time off work to breastfeed her child 1 hour per day.
This time is divided into 2 periods:
- 30 minutes during the work of the morning
- 30 minutes during in the afternoon
In the absence of agreement with the employer during the period when the work is stopped, the latter is placed in the middle of each half-day of work.
Please note
This period of breastfeeding 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.
A simulator is used to search for the collective agreement with the company's name or Siret number:
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.
However, the employee must be able to rest in a reclining position under suitable conditions.
The employee may breastfeed at or outside the workplace.
Company of 100 or more 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.
Of treaty provisions may provide that such leave shall be granted.
A simulator is used to search for the collective agreement with the company's name or Siret number:
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Special provisions for breastfeeding
Special provisions for breastfeeding
Room dedicated to breastfeeding
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