Most Corporate Companies Lack Support For Breastfeeding Mothers: Survey

Working mothers in India who want to breastfeed their child either quit their job or use artificial feeds for their baby when their company fails to support.

Highlights

A recent survey done by Medala finds that over 50% of working women feel that corporate lack breastfeeding facilities.
Breastfeeding was the reason for 54% mothers to //quit their jobs.
After child birth, only 35% of women were able to resume back to work within 6 - 9 months.

Breast milk is the very first nutrient to the child after birth and the sole food that needs to be given for the first 6 months. The nutritional profile of breast milk in terms of calories, vitamins, and minerals is the BEST for the infant as it has the perfect proportion of them all.

From antibodies which protect an infant at birth, to the exclusive nutrients in mothers’ milk which prevent a number of childhood diseases, the benefits of breastfeeding are incalculable.

Importance of Breast Feeding-Stages-Advantages-Benefits-Storage-FAQs
From antibodies, to the exclusive nutrients, the benefits of breastfeeding are incalculable.

‘Lactating mothers either stay-at-home or work along with challenges to breastfeed their baby and look for benefits from their company.’

Though it is vital, many mothers forego breastfeeding due to various reasons. Sometimes social, work related, psychological and personal reasons prevent mothers from being able to breastfeed the child. In such cases breast milk can be expressed manually or with a breast pump, stored under optimum conditions and given to the infant when needed.

Mothers who are not sure of the storing techniques or who feel that they may take too long to be back home usually avoid such situations. One such reason is their job. Working mothers look for options to take a break now and then to feed the baby. While some companies offer such benefits, many fail to. A survey on breastfeeding among working women was conducted as part of the world breastfeeding week observed between August 1 - 7th.

Medela India, leading manufacturer of breast pumps and nursing accessories analysed the most common issues that affect a mother’s breastfeeding decision and was conducted across major metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and other tier-2 cities.

Nutrient Needs in Lactation
Inadequacies in a lactating mother’s diet influences both the quantity and quality of milk secreted, although the effect in quantity is more profound.

Opinion of Working Mothers on Breastfeeding

The survey brings to notice, the urgent need for Indian workplaces and corporate to encourage and support new mothers to breastfeed their babies.

Switching Baby from Bottle to Cup
Find tips on how to switch toddler from bottles and sippy cups to adult cups and say bye-bye to bottle feeding.

Effects of Consuming Alcohol while Breastfeeding
Is alcohol safe during breastfeeding? The answer and the effects of consumption of alcohol by a lactating mother on her breastfed infant.

Not only corporate but any company which employ women could make arrangements with regard to work timing, work schedule, setting up feeding rooms. Mothers would soon be able to get back to work once they are are able to balance their responsibilities at work and at home.

Assigning flexible work timing or work from home options would make them feel supportive. Free lactation support through lactation consultants could encourage them. Sharing workload will not only make mothers give their best but will also benefit the organization as they may continue to work for the company.

Breastfeeding can be challenging to mothers who play an equal role in managing the finance at home. Motivation from the work place can be a real boost as a support to reach great heights.

Source-Medindia