From Policy to Practice: Women’s Experiences of Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites, Part 2

Abstract

Introduction

Maintaining lactation after returning to work is imperative for overall breastfeeding success, yet mothers who return to full-time employment outside the home are unlikely to meet their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding-friendly worksites are one potential solution.

Method

Using semi-structured interviews with employees in one rural New England town (N = 18), we aimed to better understand the barriers and supports to continued lactation at “breastfeeding-friendly” worksites.

Results

Five key themes emerged from participants’ narratives; two built environment-focused themes are discussed here.

Discussion

Findings expose the disproportionate burden placed on women when care- and wage-work are combined, even in worksites at least theoretically committed to supporting lactation following a return to work.

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Citation

Cheyney M, Henning M, Horan H, Bovbjerg M, Ferguson M. From policy to practice:  women’s experiences of breastfeeding-friendly worksites, part 2. Clinical Lactation 2019; 10(3): 113-120.