Experts Call for Enhanced Support for Breastfeeding Mothers at Work During World Breastfeeding Week 2024

New Delhi: During World Breastfeeding Week, health experts emphasized the need for better support for breastfeeding mothers returning to work. Held annually in the first week of August, World Breastfeeding Week is supported by WHO and UNICEF. The 2024 theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life.

Breastfeeding significantly promotes a child’s health, offering numerous benefits for both the baby and the mother. Breast milk provides the perfect balance of essential nutrients, is easier to digest, and offers emotional security. Breastfed babies typically have higher IQs and better cognitive development later in life.

Many working women struggle to balance their work responsibilities with breastfeeding needs. “Breastfeeding mothers who return to work need support from their employers, including lactation breaks, on-site nursing facilities, and flexible work schedules. This support boosts employee satisfaction and retention while maintaining the health of both mother and child,” said Dr. Esha Gupta, Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Intensivist at Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru.

“Once a mother returns to work, she should have proper breaks to breastfeed or express and store her milk. Proper nutrition and care during the first 1,000 days of life provide the best start for a child. This breastfeeding week, let us pledge to close these gaps and support every mother in achieving her breastfeeding goals,” added Dr. Rebecca Gosavi, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Manipal Hospital, Pune.

Breastfeeding benefits not only the mother and baby but also society and the nation. “It is essential for working mothers to maintain breastfeeding motivation,” Dr. Gupta said, recommending working mothers establish a pumping routine before returning to work. Strong family support is crucial during this phase. “Many communities and organizations offer lactation support groups and tools for networking and experience sharing, which can be invaluable for breastfeeding challenges faced by working women,” Dr. Gupta added.

Dr. Gosavi highlighted the importance of having trained lactation staff to dispel myths about breastfeeding. “Hospitals must practice breastfeeding-friendly policies and stay updated with the latest recommendations for successful breastfeeding,” she added.

Breastfeeding offers health advantages for mothers, including a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. It helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and aids in weight loss by burning extra calories, aiding in physical recovery post-birth. Breastfeeding also prevents gastrointestinal infections and boosts the baby’s immunity with protective antibodies. For mothers, it helps shed pregnancy weight and offers protection against breast and ovarian cancer, heart attacks, and osteoporosis later in life, according to Dr. Tripti Raheja, Lead Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

Early initiation of breastfeeding, within one hour of birth, protects newborns from infections and reduces neonatal mortality. However, in India, more than half (57%) of newborns experience delayed breastfeeding. Infants from low-income households, rural areas, mothers who underwent caesarean sections, had preterm deliveries, gave birth at home, or did not receive postpartum care are at greater risk of delayed initiation