Breastfeeding and Employment

Monday morning Beyonce inspiration:
"We're smart enough to make these millions
Strong enough to bear the children
Then get back to business."

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While we have not met our Healthy People 2020 goals, the breastfeeding rates in the United States have improved over the years.  One of the reasons that women have found it difficult to choose breastfeeding or to maintain breastfeeding, is the fact that they must return to work very soon after having their babies. 

There is an ever-increasing number of women entering the workforce with a child less than one year of age.  Some studies have suggested that employment has a negative impact on a woman’s decision to breastfeed, especially if she must return before or at twelve weeks postpartum.  For many women within the workforce, it is seen as incompatible with long term breastfeeding. 

Type of occupation also influences a women’s decision and longevity of breastfeeding.  Those within professional, administrative, or managerial positions tend to have longer duration of breastfeeding than women in lower-skilled occupations. 

Barriers to successful breastfeeding and employment:

• Insufficient milk supply
• Lack of knowledge in how to manage breastfeeding at work
• Lack of time
• Workplaces that are not conducive to breastfeeding/pumping

Facilitators to successful breastfeeding and employment:

• On-site childcare
• Longer maternity leave
• Flexible work schedule
• Availability of a lactation room
• Types of breast pumps
• Supportive work environment

Steps to help prepare to return to work:

• Learn as much as you can BEFORE baby arrives
• Plan, plan, plan- talk with your employer BEFORE you go on maternity leave
  • Establish or find out a place where you can breastfeed or pump at work when you come back
  • Establish or find out where you can safely store your milk in the facility or if you will need to bring your own cooler bag
• Talk with other women who have returned to work and successfully breastfed
• Seek a lactation counselor about six weeks before you return to work to develop a plan
• If possible, start back by working from home for a few weeks and then transition back to full-time, on-site employment

Benefits for employers:

• Increased productivity
• Reduced absenteeism
• Lower healthcare costs

Returning to work after having your baby is a very hard decision to make.  The times are hard, but the moments are fleeting.  Many women struggle with this decision.  Ultimately, if being able to stay home from work is an option, financially, a family may decide to do that to increase breastfeeding duration and time spent with baby.  If this is not an option, going back to work and breastfeeding duration is closely correlated with preparation and knowledge.  The more confident you feel going back to work and the more supportive the environment, the better the outcome. 

​You got this mama!
 
Source: Wambach, K. and Riordan, J. (2016). Breastfeeding and human lactation.  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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