World Breastfeeding Week: Experts call for increased employer support for nursing mothers returning to work

Employers must provide better support to breastfeeding mothers who return to work said health experts on Monday as part of the ongoing World Breastfeeding WeekWorld Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year supported by WHO and UNICEF The theme for 2024 is Closing the Gap Breastfeeding Support for AllThe World Health Organization WHO recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of a babys lifeBreastfeeding plays a significant role in promoting a childs health due to its many benefits for both the baby and the motherBreast milk provides the perfect balance of nutrients essential for the growth and development of the baby It is easier to digest and offers emotional security Babies who are breastfed tend to have higher IQs and better cognitive development later in lifeHowever several working women find it difficult to balance their work responsibilities and breastfeeding needsldquoBreastfeeding mothers who return to work need support from their employers which is why lactation breaks onsite nursing facilities and flexible work schedules are crucial This support encourages employee satisfaction and retention in addition to helping to maintain the health of the mother and the childrdquo Dr Esha Gupta Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Intensivist Motherhood Hospitals Bengaluru told IANSldquoOnce the mother joins her work she should be supported to get proper breaks where she can breastfeed or express and store her milk to carry home Proper nutrition and care of a mother and her baby during the first 1000 days of life can give the best start in life for a child So this breastfeeding week let us pledge to close these gaps in the true sense and support every mother to achieve her breastfeeding goalsrdquo added Dr Rebecca Gosavi International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Manipal Hospital PuneBreastfeeding is advantageous not only for the mother and baby but also for the overall development of society and the nationThus it is essential ldquofor working mothers to maintain breastfeeding motivationrdquo said Dr Gupta recommending working mothers to ldquoestablish a pumping routine before returning to workrdquoStrong family support is also indispensable during this phaseldquoFor working women many communities and organisations provide lactation support groups and tools facilitating networking and experience sharing These support systems can be invaluable offering advice encouragement and practical solutions for breastfeeding challenges faced by working womenrdquo Dr Gupta saidDr Gosavi told IANS that the new mother is often caught in a web of misunderstanding and incorrect practices She called for healthcare officials to have trained lactation staff who are updated with the latest lactation skills to help clear myths associated with breastfeedingldquoHospitals must practise breastfeedingfriendly practices and have knowledge about the latest recommendations for successful breastfeedingrdquo she addedAlso Read World Breastfeeding Week Empowering new mothers to overcome challenges expert tips and solutionsMothers who breastfeed have several health advantages including a lower chance of type 2 diabetes and postpartum depressionBreastfeeding helps the uterus return to its prepregnancy size and encourages weight loss by burning additional calories which helps with physical recovery after giving birth Several working women find it difficult to balance their work responsibilities and breastfeeding needsldquoBreastfeeding also prevents gastrointestinal infections and boosts the babyrsquos immunity due to its protective antibodies For mothers breastfeeding helps shed the weight gained during pregnancy and offers protection against breast and ovarian cancer heart attacks and osteoporosis later in liferdquo Dr Tripti Raheja Lead Consultant Obstetrics ampamp Gynaecology at the CK Birla Hospital Delhi told IANSEarly initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth also protects the newborn from infections and reduces neonatal mortalityldquoHowever in India more than half 57 per cent of newborns experience delayed breastfeeding Infants from lowincome households rural areas mothers who underwent caesarean sections had preterm deliveries gave birth at home or did not receive postpartum care are at greater risk of delayed initiationrdquo the doctor saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever