Can an employee breastfeed during working hours?

Verified 11 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

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

YesHowever, an employee may be absent from 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 an agreement with the employer during the period when the work is stopped, it 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).

NoHowever, these break times are not remunerated.

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

A simulator allows you to search for the collective agreement with the name of the company or its Siret number:

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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 lying position, under suitable conditions.

Please note

The employee can breastfeed at her workplace or outside.

Company of 100 or more employees

The room dedicated to breastfeeding must respect the following characteristics:

  • Separation of any working space
  • Ventilation and windows or other openings with movable frames directly on the outside
  • Continuous air renewal
  • Suitable lighting
  • Provided with sufficient water or near a sink
  • Fitted with suitable seats for breastfeeding
  • Constant state of cleanliness (daily cleaning and carried out without the presence of children)
  • Suitable temperature under hygienic conditions.

FYI  

The employer may be required by the labor inspector to settle a nursing home in (or near) his establishment.

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

But some treaty provisions may provide for such leave.

A simulator allows you to search for the collective agreement with the name of the company or its Siret number:

Finding your collective agreement

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