Challenges of the working breastfeeding mother. Workplace solutions

1. The number of women who breastfeed their infants after returning to work is disappointingly low. Many women stop breastfeeding soon after they return to work because of lack of preparation and support. 2. Continued breastfeeding provides health and psychosocial benefits for both mother and infant. 3. The employer experiences a cost saving benefit by keeping the postpartum employee working and by keeping her infant healthy as a result of breastfeeding. 4. Occupational and environmental health nurses can help bridge the gap between the postpartum employee and her primary health care provider. One strategy is to develop a lactation program for the work setting as described in a stepwise approach.