Breastfeeding and workplace support in Nepal
Mallika Shrestha1,2, Saroj Adhikari1, Nishant Shrestha3
1Health Office Parsa, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal.
PLOS Global Public Health
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is challenging for working mothers. Workplace support, like lactation rooms and task adjustments, significantly boosts EBF rates in Nepal, aiding maternal and child health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) offers significant health benefits for infants.
- Working mothers face unique challenges in maintaining EBF due to work-related factors.
- Workplace support is crucial for enabling employed mothers to practice EBF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices among employed mothers in Nepal.
- To identify workplace support factors influencing EBF.
- To assess the impact of maternity leave, flexible schedules, and facility availability on EBF.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design in Nepal.
- Online questionnaire administered to 201 employed mothers with children under two years old.
- Data analyzed using SPSS 16 to determine correlations and conditional odds ratios (COR).
Main Results:
- EBF prevalence was 37.8% among surveyed working mothers.
- Return to work was the primary reason for EBF cessation for 76.4% of mothers.
- Availability of lactation rooms (COR: 11.6) and task adjustments (COR: 4.2) significantly increased EBF likelihood.
Conclusions:
- Workplace support is a critical determinant of EBF success for working mothers in Nepal.
- Policies promoting lactation rooms and flexible work arrangements are essential.
- Combined interventions of adequate maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces are recommended.
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