Breastfeeding and employment

Breastfeeding problems, outcomes, and satisfaction of married, well-educated first-time mothers who returned to work within six months postpartum were compared to those of mothers with the same characteristics who stayed at home. Mothers who planned to work after giving birth anticipated and experienced shorter durations of breastfeeding than did those who planned to remain at home. Breastfeeding experiences and satisfaction among working mothers differed little from the experiences and satisfaction of their nonworking counterparts; however, employment prior to two months postpartum exerted some negative effects on breastfeeding outcomes.