Breastfeeding for working mums should be made easy

Companies can help facilitate good maternal and child health through initiatives like a mother’s room in the workplace, where lactating women can go to express and store their breast milk during working hours. — Photos: Filepic

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), which is commemorated on the first week of August every year, was started in 1992 to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding.

It is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), most national health ministries and civil society globally.

The theme for WBW 2023 is “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!”.

A reminder of the benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding is pertinent.

The health and economic costs of not breastfeeding have been addressed previously.

Benefits for baby

Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed by the newborn infant to grow and develop.

The food industry has not been able to replicate its unique composition.

The components of breast milk include:

• Carbohydrates, like lactose, that support a healthy balance of bacteria in the infant’s stomach.
• Fats that promote development of the brain and nervous system.
• Proteins, like IgA, that protect against infections.
• White blood cells that combat any infection.
• Vitamins that support the infant’s growth.

Breast milk enhances the health of the infant (from birth until the age of one year) in several ways, including:

• Providing the correct nutritional composition for the infant’s development.
• Changing its nutritional composition to meet the infant’s needs over time.
• Being easy to digest by the infant’s immature gut.
• Promoting healthy weight gain.
• Containing antibodies that protect against infection.

Scientific studies report that breastfed infants have decreased risk of developing certain diseases and that breast milk helps in the development of a robust and strong immune system.

Breastfed infants have a lower risk of diarrhoea and vomiting; infections like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough (pertussis), ear infections and bacterial meningitis; asthma; sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); eczema; childhood obesity; childhood leukaemia; inflammatory bowel disease; and type 2 diabetes in later life.

The benefits according to the length of time of breastfeeding are well known.

At least three months of breastfeeding reduces the risk of diarrhoea, vomiting and ear infections in infancy.

The risk of asthma and eczema is also reduced.

The risk of hospitalisation for lower respiratory tract infections and RSV is reduced by at least four months of breastfeeding.

The risk of childhood cancer is reduced by at least six months of breastfeeding.

Breastfed infants tend to have better health, and have been reported to have fewer consultations with their paediatricians and lower hospitalisation rates.

The recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months ensures that the newborn infant gets a good start in life.

When solid food is introduced to the infant who is old enough, breastfeeding can be continued for up to two years or longer.

The infant can still get the nutritional and health benefits of breast milk, even if the breast milk is obtained exclusively by pumping.

Benefits for mother

The food industry has not managed to replicate the unique composition of breast milk, although formula is an acceptable alternative for babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding also benefits the long-term health of the mother.

It decreases the risk of postnatal or postpartum depression, especially if the breastfeeding is going well; cancers of the breast, ovary, endometrium and thyroid; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; cardiovascular (heart) disease; type 2 diabetes; and osteoporosis.

Other maternal benefits of breastfeeding include:

• More rapid recovery from childbirth

  The production of the hormone oxytocin from breastfeeding helps uterine contractions after delivery.

  The uterus returns to its pre- pregnant state faster, and the amount of vaginal bleeding after delivery is also reduced.

• Promoting mother-child bonding

  Both physical and emotional bonding with the infant is increased by breastfeeding.

  There are studies that reported the reduction of social and behavioural problems in childhood and adulthood in breastfed infants.

• Establishing trust

  Breastfeeding establishes trust between mother and infant, which influences the baby’s early behaviour.

• Low cost

  The cost of breastfeeding is low.

  Although there may be some initial costs like nursing bras and nipple cream, breastfeeding costs much less than baby milk formula in the long term.

  The cost of formula can be substantial depending on the brand and amount the infant consumes.

• On-demand convenience

  Breastfeeding is convenient as it can be done nearly everywhere without the need for bottles and formula.

  Mother’s milk is available on demand!

Breastfeeding for more than one year has also been reported to lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, for the mother.

Breastfeeding consumes calories, which can make it easier to lose the weight gained during pregnancy.

However, not everyone loses weight from breastfeeding; some women do, but others do not.

Scientists have attributed weight loss or gain to factors like calorie consumption, physical activity and sleep quality.

Not always possible

Breastfeeding may not be possible under certain circumstances.

For example, certain medical conditions or previous surgeries may affect the production and secretion of milk, and the suckling by the infant (lactation).

Work factors or other constraints may hamper the management of breastfeeding.

Feeding the infant with breast milk obtained by exclusive pumping or donated human milk from a reliable milk bank may be considered.

It would be prudent not to buy human milk from individuals or online, as such milk can be unsafe.

In summary, a discussion with your paediatrician and/or lactation specialist would be helpful in making breastfeeding work.

Call to action

When there are effective maternity protections, women’s and children’s health improve.

Women should not have to choose between breastfeeding and their jobs.

The WHO estimates that currently, more than half a billion working women globally lack access to vital maternity protections, with many more without support for breastfeeding when they return to work after childbirth.

The WHO’s position is that all women everywhere – no matter their job – should have:

• At least 18 weeks – preferably more than six months – of paid maternity leave.
• Paid time off for breastfeeding or expressing milk upon returning to work.
• Flexible return to work options.

The WHO calls on policymakers to:

• Legislate at least 18 weeks – preferably more than six months – of paid maternity leave.
• Ensure that employers provide paid time off and a dedicated space for breastfeeding or expressing milk after this period.
• Ensure that all women have access to maternity entitlements, including those in the informal sector or on limited contracts.
• Tackle employment-related discrimination against women, including during and after pregnancy and birth.

Meanwhile, key messages from the WHO for employers to make breastfeeding at work, work, are by:

• Providing maternity leave that, at minimum, meets national requirements.
• Providing time and space for breastfeeding or expressing and storing breast milk.
• Providing options that reduce the separation of women from their babies after maternity leave, such as flexible work schedules, on-site childcare, teleworking, part-time work and letting mothers bring their babies to work.

The WHO says that colleagues can also help by:

• Being supportive of flexible work arrangements when women return to work, and
• Championing women’s rights in the workplace.

Malaysia, as one of the vice-presidents of the World Health Assembly – the governing body of the WHO, has a duty and responsibility to set an example by “making breastfeeding at work, work”.

Dr Milton Lum is a past president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations and the Malaysian Medical Association. For more information, email [e-mail]. The views expressed do not represent that of organisations that the writer is associated with. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.