Optimal infant and young child feeding practices provide the child the best protection and nutrition for proper growth and development. As recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first (6) months of life. This means that no other foods, either solid or liquid and even water should be given to the infant except for breastmilk. However, this becomes a challenge for breastfeeding mothers returning to work.

Based on the results of the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the DOST-FNRI, the proportion of Filipino infants exclusively breastfed from birth until 5.9 months was low at 35.9% and average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is only 4.4 months. 

In a 2018 study entitled “Breastfeeding Practices of Lactating Women in Selected Cities in Metropolitan Manila”, it was observed that mothers working full-time are less likely to continue breastfeeding exclusively upon returning to work. Some mothers practiced mixed feeding or totally shifted to providing infant formula to their babies. Thus, companies are encouraged to provide breastfeeding rooms with adequate storage facilities where mothers can store her expressed breastmilk while at work.

The Republic Act (RA) 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 mandates all public or private establishments, whether operating for profit or not, to support breastfeeding in the workplace through:

Workplace Lactation Policy. Companies are encouraged to formulate their own guidelines on the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding in the workplace. The policy should be part of the establishment’s manual of operation or general policy, widely disseminated to all employees and should contain the provision of RA 10028.

Provision of Lactation Station. There should be a clean and private lactation station where working breastfeeding mothers can breastmilk or express her milk. In setting up a lactation station, it is important to make it accessible to breastfeeding women. The space should be clean, well ventilated, comfortable, and safe. Lactation station should not be placed inside the toilet and should be compliant with the provisions of Executive Order (EO) 51 of the Milk Code. 

Lactation stations should have the following: logbook, small table and a comfortable seat, refrigeration or any cool storage facilities for milk storage, and water source/lavatory for hand washing. The hand washing facility can be foregone only if there is a close-by lavatory from the lactation station.

Lactation breaks. A breastfeeding mother should be allowed lactation breaks in addition to their regular time-off for meals. Time and duration per breastfeeding worker may vary but the minimum duration is 40 minutes for every 8 hours of working period.

Provision of breastfeeding information. Information on the benefits of breastfeeding should be made available to all workers to create a supportive environment. This information can be discussed during orientation for new workers, discussion with pregnant workers prior to maternity leave, development of information and education materials and organization of breastfeeding support group within the company.

To encourage local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to set-up and maintain lactation stations in city/municipal halls, health centers, markets, and other government facilities, the Regional Nutrition Committee issued Resolution No. 2, series of 2013, “Enjoining all LGUs to set-up and maintain Lactation Station, Human Milk Bank/storage facilities”. LGUs are also encouraged to intensify advocacy and promotion of the importance of breastfeeding.

Optimum nutrition must be given to babies during their first 1000 days of life – from pregnancy up to the child’s second birthday for proper growth and development. Since maternity leave in the country is only for 105 days (3 ½ months), working mothers will spend most of her child’s first 1000 days of life while she is at work.

Returning to work does not equate to stopping breastfeeding. With the support of families and colleagues and backed with a breastfeeding-friendly workplace, exclusive and continued breastfeeding at work is possible.


Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo

References:

• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
• Bayaga, C.L.T, et. al (2018), Breastfeeding Practices of Lactating Women in Selected Cities in Metropolitan Manila, Philippine Journal of Science 149 (3): 565-570, September 2020 ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 13 Feb 2020
• 2019 Results of Expanded National Nutrition Survey: Nutritional Status of Filipino Infants and Young Children (0-23 months)
• Healthy Beginnings for a Better Society: Breastfeeding in the workplace is possible Tool Kit, October 2015d
• NNC-NCR’s Review of the 2013 Regional Nutrition Committee Resolutions Documentation Report