Related Experiment Videos
Working while breast feeding among coloured women
B Chalmers1, O J Ransome, A Herman
1School of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Psychological Reports
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Most mothers stop breastfeeding when they return to work. This study found that working while breastfeeding is seen as incompatible by most women, impacting infant feeding patterns.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Socioeconomic Determinants of Health
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Infant feeding patterns are influenced by numerous factors.
- Economic factors increasingly impact breastfeeding duration.
- Understanding maternal work-related breastfeeding challenges is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding working while breastfeeding.
- To examine the relationship between maternal employment and breastfeeding duration.
- To assess the experiences of 'Coloured' (mixed ethnic origin) women.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 220 'Coloured' women.
- Data collection on breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
- Analysis of the impact of returning to work on breastfeeding.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding initiation rates are high.
- A significant drop in breastfeeding occurs around the time mothers return to work.
- Approximately two-thirds of women returned to work postpartum.
- Most women perceive working and breastfeeding as incompatible.
Conclusions:
- Maternal employment presents a significant barrier to sustained breastfeeding.
- Societal and workplace support may be needed to facilitate continued breastfeeding for working mothers.
- Further research is needed to explore interventions supporting working mothers who breastfeed.