How breastfeeding in the workplace is not just good for the mother and the baby, but for our society as a whole.

The idea of breastfeeding in the workplace may seem very complicated and intimidating but with the proper knowledge and support from the family and society, in general, can be easily achieved.  Mothers can both provide for their family and take care of their babies at the same time without compromising the other.

The economics and health benefits of breastfeeding has long been established and supported by numerous studies and research. It is a well-known fact that breastmilk is not only nutritious and provides energy for the baby but also contains cells, hormones, and antibodies that help protect babies from illnesses. Aside from these benefits that the baby receives from breastmilk, the breastfeeding mother also helps a mother’s health in a way that it prevents diseases like type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers.

Breastfeeding also provides positive emotional effects to both the mother and child as it encourages bonding between the mother and child.

And it isn’t just the mother and child that can benefit from breastfeeding. Society as a whole benefits when mothers breastfeed their children. Not only does it save lives, but exclusively breastfed infants are also less likely to acquire and die from SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding is also an effective way of saving money. Breastfed infants are less likely to get sick, thus fewer, and lower medical costs to cover sick care visits, hospitalization, and prescriptions. Breastfeeding helps the workforce to be more productive as breastfeeding mothers are less likely to miss work due to caring for their sick infants as compared those who feed their infants formula. Lastly, breastfeeding is better for the environment because of the less demand for formula cans and bottles that will likely end up as trash and plastic waste.

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is recommended until the second year of the child, together with complementary feeding.

It is important that mothers are given the proper support to be able to breastfeed their infants without any problems and this is where the family members, the workplaces, the government, and society as whole needs to step up. The support of family members is important in helping the mother build her confidence in breastfeeding. When a family is supportive to the breastfeeding mother and are knowledgeable in breastfeeding, they can provide not only physical help to the mother, but emotional help as well. Family members may learn how to handle breastmilk and cup feed which can be of help to the mother especially when the mother needs to go back to work.

Transitioning back to the workplace is a challenge for the breastfeeding mother, her baby, and the family or caretaker at home. Working mothers may be able to go back to work without having to worry about their child’s feeding if the family members or the baby’s caregiver learn how to handle breastmilk properly and feed the child.

Breastfeeding is immensely under-appreciated especially for working women, thus goes unsupported and uncompensated which leads to premature weaning or mothers not breastfeeding at all. Mothers who chose to invest in breastfeeding often lose income opportunities or even worse, work, thus there is also a massive need for the support of businesses, employers, labor groups and advocates, and the government in promoting breastfeeding and providing workplaces that are breastfeeding friendly. By the establishment of lactation stations and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, optimal infant feeding practices are promoted.

In the Philippines, Republic Act 10028, also known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 mandates all establishments, whether public or private, whether operating for profit or not, to support breastfeeding in the workplace, through the following provisions:

• Workplace lactation policy;
• Provision of space (the lactation station);
• Provision of time (lactation period);
• Provision of breastfeeding information; and
• Compliance with Executive Order 51 or the National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplements, and Other Related Products, or simply known as the Philippine Milk Code of 1986.

A breastfeeding-friendly workplace has two basic and essential components, and this is SPACE and TIME. A clean and private area where a breastfeeding employee or worker can breastfeed or express their milk should be available and she should be allowed time to take these “lactation breaks.” Expressing milk is important for the mother to be able to provide milk for the baby back home and to ease or prevent discomfort that may be caused by buildup of unexpressed milk in the breast. Regular expression of milk also helps sustain the regular supply of breast milk as breasts not regularly emptied of breastmilk decrease production thus causing “inadequate milk flow” for the baby.

By the provision and availability of a lactation station in a workplace, a breastfeeding worker or client may be able to wash up, breastfeed or express their milk, and store said breastmilk afterwards in the provided area while ensuring their privacy. A lactation station should also be well-equipped with the following:

• A small table and a comfortable seating area;
• Refrigeration or appropriate cooling facility for milk storage;
• Clean and safe water-source for handwashing and cleaning;
• Well-ventilated, clean, and free from hazardous substances and contaminants; and
• Ensure privacy for the breastfeeding worker.

Lactation stations in the workplace can be easy and inexpensive to set-up and the Department Order No. 143 series of 2015 of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provides lactation models to facilitate compliance in establishments for workers. It is important for a workplace to establish a workplace lactation policy that is included in the establishment’s manual or operation/general policy, and all workers, regardless of age, civil status, and gender, should be aware of its provisions.

It is also important that the workplace lactation program should garner support not just from the management but also from supervisors, managers, and coworkers.  A breastfeeding-friendly culture in the workplace can promote sustainability in the program, encourage breastfeeding practices especially to expectant mothers, and establish good relationship between the workers and the management.

By: Antonette Gail Garcia, Nutrition Officer I