Education is Key for Increasing Breastfeeding Duration Among Working Mothers

Abstract

Introduction: Federal law mandates protections for time and a private place for pumping. However, mothers continue to express feelings of guilt explaining how the return to work ended their breastfeeding journey. Nationwide, there is a significant drop in exclusive breastfeeding rates at the 3- and 6-month marker, which coincides with the return to employment. Method: Mothers attended a “Working Moms' Breastfeeding Class,” a hybrid taught by lactation consultants mixed with the peer-to-peer conversation. Results: After attending the class, mothers reported an increase in knowledge concerning the law, pumping, breast milk handling, and childcare feeding practices. Discussion: Educating mothers at the time of their transition back into the workforce is key to increasing maternal self-efficacy to meet their breastfeeding goals.