Barriers Women Face While Breastfeeding at Workplace

Despite the fact that people are well-aware of the importance of breastmilk, there are still many social, cultural and professional barriers that nursing mothers have to break or succumb to everyday. One of the biggest reasons nursing mothers fail to even reach the “exclusive breastfeeding for six months mark” is they have to return to work after a mere 6-8 weeks or otherwise face consequences like losing the job or staying unpaid for the time. In fact, the statistics clearly indicate the downfall in the number of nursing mothers who are heading back to work. The figures are so unacceptably low that indicates something very wrong that needs immediate attention and reforming.

We have been successful in creating amazing products like breast milk supplements, electric breasts pumps, nursing bras, clothes, blankets and have even invented ways like SNS for mothers who can’t feed at all. But now the burning issue that collectively needs our attention as a society is making a working mothers journey smoother and convenient so that she can juggle between motherhood and work without giving up on either. In order to solve a problem, we first need to acknowledge there’s one, right?

So, in this article we will address the many obstacles that working-nursing mothers face day-to-day and how we can amend our ways in what little ways we can, so that she can provide for her baby and also work to support her family.  

Obstacle #1 Little to No Time for Expressing the Milk

Taking care of a newborn baby is a 24hr job, add breastfeeding and job to the mix and the whole experience becomes overwhelming, draining and honestly pretty challenging. The number one problem that most nursing mothers face in their job timing is not having enough time to fully express the milk. This leads to several problems like breast engorgement, reduced milk production, sore nipples and insufficient milk supply for the baby at home. Although mothers can increase milk supply by taking breast milk supplements, it's better to have a natural production of milk.

Sometimes the nature of the job is too demanding or work schedules are so tight that mothers can hardly fit in the expressing time. Mothers need to take this to their bosses and come to a settlement about having time for expressing milk other than the usual lunch breaks. In order to efficiently express milk at work, make sure you practice it at home so that it is swift and easy.

Obstacle #2 Unsupportive Work Environment

The next obstacle faced by nursing mothers at a workplace is unsupportive bosses or work environments. It’s not essential that your workplace has a special room where you can express your breastmilk with privacy and convenience. Most of the time, the spare room is used by all the co-workers, so it's not possible to express milk there. Mothers need to make the bosses aware of her needs and requirements in order to get what she wants from her workplace. Communication with confidence is the key to your success and it will also pave the way for other mothers as well.

Obstacle #3 Ignorant Coworkers

Not all coworkers or colleagues will understand your struggles, those frequent breaks and extra time off from work. They might even make things difficult for you in jealousy or advise you to quit the job or breastfeed unaware of the importance of it. Make sure to address and answer their question rather than getting uncomfortable or awkward about them. Be confident as you’re doing the toughest job in the world along with what they’re doing, so kudos to you! Don’t try to ignore those sly remarks, intrusive stares and snide comments, face them with confidence!

Obstacle #4 Maintaining your Mental and Physical Health

Many mothers forget to put themselves on priority and tend to make these sacrifices that take a toll on their mental and physical health without much acknowledgement. Bringing up a baby, working a job and taking care of the home is no easy feat. So, pat your back, don’t be too hard on yourself and let go of perfection. The most important thing is that you feel happy, accomplished and content at the end of the day, so don’t let anyone make you feel any less. Just discipline yourself, write down your goals and work on accomplishing them. Don’t be the people’s pleaser. Stay confident, positive and take good care of yourself as so many things are dependent on you and you should be proud of that.

Ending Lines

It can be extremely difficult, demanding and daunting to work three times as you did before. But with adequate planning, practice and communication skills, you can work it all out. just be sure to express what you truly feel without worrying about the reaction or consequences.