Developing a workplace lactation promotion model in Indonesia using Delphi technique

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Occupational Health
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Working mothers face higher risks of early breastfeeding termination compared to stay-at-home mothers.
• Workplace support, including lactation facilities and programs, is vital for successful exclusive breastfeeding.
• Developing effective workplace-based lactation promotion models requires expert consensus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve expert consensus on developing a comprehensive workplace-based lactation promotion model.
• To identify key components for supporting breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

Main Methods:

• A three-round online Delphi survey was employed to gather expert opinions.
• Twenty-two experts were invited, with participation rates of 68.2% in round one, 80.0% in round two, and 86.7% in round three.
• The study focused on seven dimensions: policy, facility, education, participants, promotion, human resources, and time.

Main Results:

• Key policy recommendations include 3-6 months of maternity leave and the right to breast-pump every 3 hours.
• A dedicated lactation room was identified as the highest-ranked facility indicator.
• Benefits of breast milk for babies, social media, interactive counseling, top management involvement, and a lactation counselor were highlighted as crucial elements.

Conclusions:

• An effective workplace lactation model necessitates dedicated company policy makers and lactation counselors.
• Regular promotion utilizing interactive education and dedicated facilities are essential.
• Expert consensus emphasizes a multi-faceted approach to support breastfeeding in the workplace.