Nursing breaks after maternity leave for certain period of time - should they be given?

I am from Gujarat and work in an IT company. Some females need maternity leave. Now the question is, should they be given a nursing break after 6 months, and if yes, how much? Please suggest.

After they return from maternity leave, you have to give two additional breaks for nursing the child until the child attains the age of fifteen months.

Dear Riki,

In India, according to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which was amended in 2017, female employees are entitled to maternity leave of up to 26 weeks (around 6 months) for the first two children. This includes a period before and after childbirth.

Regarding nursing breaks after maternity leave, the law doesn't specify a specific duration. However, it's essential to support nursing mothers in their transition back to work by providing adequate facilities and breaks for breastfeeding or expressing milk.

Typically, employers are encouraged to provide nursing breaks of about 30 minutes to 1 hour during the workday, depending on the needs of the mother and the feasibility within the workplace. These breaks can help nursing mothers to express milk comfortably and maintain their breastfeeding routine. Employers may also consider providing designated lactation rooms or spaces for privacy and hygiene.

It's essential to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for new mothers, ensuring they can balance their work responsibilities with their maternal duties. This can contribute to employee satisfaction, retention, and overall well-being.

Thanks

Dr. B.V. RAGHUNATH, sorry to interfere, there is a specific law governing nursing breaks in India. The two additional nursing breaks, as I mentioned in the above post, are provided under Section 11 of the Maternity Benefits Act. The Maternity Benefits Rules state (in Rule 6) that each nursing break should be of 15 minutes duration. Additionally, if the creche is located away from the workplace, an additional 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the distance to be covered, should be allowed.

Thank you for your support, everyone.