Issues Concerning Breastfeeding and the Working Mother - Essay Example

Your Lot in Life Running Head: Your Lot in Life ISSUES CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING AND THE WORKING MOTHER Your Lot in Life 2 This paper aims to present issues concerning breastfeeding and the working mother. It would discuss several studies conducted on this topic and hope to address the issue of breastfeeding and working outside the home using this scenario: ““You are expecting your first child and are interested in breastfeeding your baby. You would also like to return to work relatively soon. You have to decide how valuable breastfeeding is and whether you can work and breastfeed.” Your Lot in Life 3 INTRODUCTION There are joys and pains exclusively experienced by women. One is childbirth and the other is breastfeeding – among the multitude of childrearing rollercoaster of emotions. London, et.al. (2007) aver that “it is universally accepted that breast milk is the most desirable sources of nutrition for newborns”. However, there are critical issues which encompass breastfeeding mothers, especially those who have to return to work. It is in this regard that this research paper aims to determine relevant factors associated with breastfeeding. Several literatures would also be presented on their respective studies regarding breastfeeding and working mothers. Finally, this paper would seek to address the problem of breastfeeding mothers torn between working and continuing this life nourishing task. PROBLEM OF BREASTFEEDING AND WORKING IDENTIFIED More and more women have opted to maintain full time work due to economic factors. For women who gave birth to their firstborn, the following is a typical scenario which needs a closer review. “You are expecting your first child and are interested in breastfeeding your baby. You would also like to return to work relatively soon. You have to decide how valuable breastfeeding is and whether you can work and breastfeed.” ISSUES CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING Benefits of Breastfeeding. According to a study conducted by the state of Oregon on Working and Breasfeeding, there are enumerable benefits of breastfeeding to both the newborn and to Your Lot in Life 4 the mother. These benefits could be categorized as according immediate and long-term health benefits. Among those listed are as follows: “Immediate Health Benefits for Breastfed Babies (1) Increased resistance to infections; (2) Earlier development of the infant immune system; (3) Decreased risk of ear infections; (4) Decreased risk of diarrhea; (5) Decreased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome); (6) Baby is less likely to be hospitalized due to serious illness; and (7) Human milk is made to meet the specific needs of human babies, and it changes as the baby grows to offer the best combination of nutrients that make it easy for baby to digest and use. Long-term Health Benefits for Breastfed Babies (1) Less childhood obesity; (2) Reduced risk of some chronic diseases that develop during childhood including: juvenile diabetes, childhood cancers, and allergic disease/asthma; (3) Enhanced neurological development that may result in higher IQs (60) and better eyesight; and (4) Suckling at the breast promotes good jaw development and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth.” (Working and Breastfeeding) “Immediate Health Benefits for a Mother who Breastfeeds (1) Uterus returns to normal size more quickly and mother has reduced blood loss; (2) Exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of fertility in most women; (3) Reduced insulin needs in diabetic mothers; Your Lot in Life 5 (4) Psychological benefits of increased self-confidence and enhanced bonding with infant; and (5) Helps mother get needed rest by requiring that she sit or lie down with baby every few hours to feed. Long-term Health Benefits for a Mother who Breastfeeds (1) Earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight, with no return of weight once weaning occurs; (2) Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers; and (3) Reduced risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture” (Working and Breastfeeding) Aside from the benefits enumerated above, London,et.al. (2007) revealed that there are also risks involved in breastfeeding, to wit: “(1) Transmission of maternal infections such as HIV to newborn; (2) Irregular ovulation and menses can cause false sense of security and nonuse of hormonal contraceptives; (3)Increased nutritional requirement for mother; and Limitation of birth control options in the postpartum period.” As seen for the presented findings of research studies conducted on breastfeeding and working, the benefits clearly outweigh the risks associated with breastfeeding. It is no wonder that despite the difficulties and complications encountered by working mothers, they find ways and means to continue nourishing their newborn utilizing this natural way. Your Lot in Life 6 Barriers to Breastfeeding However, despite the obvious benefits that breastfeeding accords, some mothers still opt to discontinue breastfeeding their newborns due to one or a combination of the following factors: “ (1) Lack of support from the childs father; (2) Lack of support from family and friends; (3) Early hospital discharge; (4) Lack of timely follow up after a mother goes home from the hospital (for example delayed physician visits or lack of postpartum home health visits); (5) Mothers returning to work in the absence of workplace support  for breastfeeding; (6) Lack of acceptance by the community and society in general; (7)Widespread advertising and promotion of infant formula (free formula or coupons in hospital discharge packs, mailing coupons for free or discounted formula directly to new parents, television and magazine advertising); and (8) The common portrayal of bottle-feeding in the mass media”(Working and Breastfeeding). CURRENT STATISTICS In a study conducted by Chekal (2007), “According to a recently-released poll by National Women’s Health Resources, approximately one-third of working mothers continue to breastfeed their children at 6 months, in comparison to 42 percent of women at home. The percentage of women who work outside of the home and still breastfeed differs by age and the type of employment in which they engage with retail being lower than professional environments. These numbers are significantly lower than the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50 percent of women still breastfeeding their infants at 6 months of age and 25 percent at one year”. In addition, a related study done by iVillage (2003) revealed that “although the number of women who breastfeed and who continue to breastfeed after returning to work is encouraging, there is still a lack of knowledge about Your Lot in Life 7 and lack of adherence to the 12 months or more of breastfeeding recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although 75 percent of the mothers who were polled stated they had breastfed their children, the survey found that only 51 percent of the mothers had breastfed for more than six months. The survey also found that a significant number of breastfeeding women (26 percent) thought the ideal time was less than six months. In fact, the most common reason why women stopped breastfeeding was because they felt their children had reached the age where it was no longer appropriate.” Further, Li, et.al. (2003) noted that the desired continuation in breastfeeding up to 6 to 12 months still falls short of the desired goals. ANALYSIS The foregoing discourse indicates that a working mother needs several support systems to assist her in continuing breastfeeding while returning to work. First and foremost, the support of the father is an important consideration to continue breastfeeding. Secondly, the support of the family and friends also help in this endeavor. An important support alliance is a role model who could guide her and provide assistance in breastfeeding her newborn. Further, if the mother was just recently discharged from a health institution, the “help from their medical provider, a lactation consultant, a peer counselor or a nutritionist in the early weeks”. (Working and Breastfeeding) Finally, the support from her workplace is very critical in the success of continued breastfeeding after returning to work. Your Lot in Life 8 RECOMMENDATION AND SUGGESTED STRATEGIES Smith (2001) provided an important strategy, “the first thing to remember is that you need to have your breasts producing TOO MUCH milk. The reason for this is that a breast pump doesn’t stimulate your nipples as well as a baby suckling, so they won’t produce as much milk. (Suckling is what tells your body to make more milk)”. Spangler added that “there are only two ways to increase breast milk production.  First, try to give your son a couple of extra breastfeeding when you are together.  Many mothers who work outside the home find that a couple of extra feedings during the evening and early morning hours and on weekends when they are with their babies help to increase their milk supply.  In addition, try to pump more often at work if your work schedule will allow.  The frequency of pumping is more important than the amount of milk obtained.” After ensuring that the newborn has generous supply of breast milk properly stored, other strategies to ensure that a mother returning to work could continue breastfeeding by utilizing the following measures: (1) secure the approval of the employer; (2) find out the availability of a private space for pumping breast milk; (3) inform your employer of the need for some allotted time for pumping breast milk. Actually, with the acknowledgement of the importance of breastfeeding until at least 6 months after birth, there are local governments who supported rest periods for expression of milk. In the Oregon study, “House Bill 2372/ ORS 653.077:  Rest Periods for Expression of Milk” was signed into law on May 8, 2007 and listed the following requirements: Your Lot in Life 9 1. “Effective January 1, 2008, employers with 25 or more employees must make reasonable efforts to provide private space and time for nursing mothers who request a place to express milk for their newborns 18 months of age and younger. 2. The location must be in close proximity to the employee’s work area, and cannot be a toilet stall or restroom. 3. Businesses would not necessarily have to have a dedicated lactation room.  A vacant office or conference room could suffice, so long as it is private. A cubicle is not considered private. 4. An employee must provide reasonable written or verbal notice to her employer that she intends to express breast milk at work.  A sample letter is available in English and Spanish. 5. All employers must comply unless they can prove it would cause undue hardship. 6. There is a $1,000 fine per incident for non-compliance.” The study by Chekal (2007) stated that there are “thirty-two states have laws protecting public breastfeeding, while eleven states currently have proactive legislation regarding breastfeeding at work, most of which revolve around the availability of time and private space, and many others have pending legislation”. CONCLUSION Working and breastfeeding can indeed be undertaken with a lot of sacrifice and creativity. For a first time mother, the benefits enumerated are enough to convince me that indeed, breastfeeding cannot be discontinued when I decide to return to work. Even employers are given incentives by local governments to encourage mothers to breastfeed their newborn. But apart from any other rationale, the smile of my newborn when held in my arms during breastfeeding is enough to reward me for all my motherly efforts. References Chekal, A. (2007). Working Mothers Can Breastfeed Fewer Women Working Outside of the Home Continue to Breastfeed. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from Li, R., Zhao, Z., Mokdad, A., et.al. (2003). Prevalence of Breastfeeding in the United States: The 2001 national immunization survey. Pediatrics. 111(5), 1198 – 1201. London, M.L., Ladewig, P.W., Ball, J.W., and Bindler, R.C. (2007) Fundamentals of Maternal and Child Nursing Care. Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd. Smith, S. (2001). Breastfeeding and the Working Mom. Suite 101.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from Spangler, A. Breastfeeding & Working Outside the Home. breastfeeding.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from Working and Breastfeeding Oregon.gov. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from Working and nursing moms need help to breastfeed longer. (2003). iVillage. Playtex Products, Inc. Press Release. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from Read More