Breastfeeding promotion for the employed mother

Increasing numbers of mothers are returning to work during the first year of their infant's life. Maternal employment has been associated with decreased duration of breastfeeding. Breast milk remains the optimal source of infant nutrition, yet only 50% of families choose breastfeeding for their newborns. Clinicians in pediatrics are well positioned to promote the specific benefits to mother and baby that breastfeeding provides through advocacy, education, and support with regard to breastfeeding and employment. Anticipatory guidance specifics such as feeding patterns, guidelines for pumping and storing breast milk, and information regarding available resources are clinical knowledge areas that pediatric health care providers must have to increase breastfeeding rates and duration among women who return to the work force after the birth of their baby.