From Policy to Practice: Women's Experiences of Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites, Part 2

Abstract

IntroductionMaintaining lactation after returning to work is imperative for overall breastfeeding success, yet mothers who return to full-time employment outside the home are unlikely to meet their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding-friendly worksites are one potential solution.MethodUsing semi-structured interviews with employees in one rural New England town (N = 18), we aimed to better understand the barriers and supports to continued lactation at “breastfeeding-friendly” worksites.ResultsFive key themes emerged from participants' narratives; two built environment-focused themes are discussed here.DiscussionFindings expose the disproportionate burden placed on women when care- and wage-work are combined, even in worksites at least theoretically committed to supporting lactation following a return to work.