Bai Yeon K, Gaits Susan I, Wunderlich Shahla M
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA.
J Hum Lact. 2015 Feb;31(1):76-80. doi: 10.1177/0890334414554620. Epub 2014 Oct 17.
Returning to an unsupportive work environment has been identified as a major reason for avoidance or early abandonment of breastfeeding among working mothers.
This study aimed to examine the nature and extent of accommodations offered to breastfeeding employees among New Jersey employers since the US federal Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law enactment.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure current lactation support in the workplace in New Jersey. Using convenience sampling, the survey was sent to managerial personnel in hospitals and nonhospitals. The level of support was assessed on company policy, lactation room, and room amenity. A composite lactation amenity score was calculated based on responses about lactation room amenities.
Respondents (N = 51) completed a 22-item online questionnaire during fall 2011. The support level was compared by type of organization: hospital (n = 37) versus nonhospital (n = 14). The amenity score of hospitals was significantly higher than nonhospitals (1.44 vs 0.45, P = .002). The mean amenity score (score = 0.95) for all employers was far below comprehensive (score = 3.0). Compared to nonhospitals, hospitals were more likely to offer lactation rooms (81% vs 36%, P = .003), have their own breastfeeding policy (35.1% vs 7.1%, P = .01), and provide additional breastfeeding support (eg, education classes, resources; P < .05).
Employers, regardless of the type of organization, need to improve their current practices and create equity of lactation support in the workplace.
回到缺乏支持的工作环境已被认定为职业母亲回避或过早放弃母乳喂养的主要原因。
本研究旨在调查自美国联邦《哺乳期母亲合理休息时间法》颁布以来，新泽西州雇主为哺乳期员工提供的便利措施的性质和程度。
进行了一项横断面调查，以衡量新泽西州职场目前对哺乳的支持情况。采用便利抽样法，将调查问卷发送给医院和非医院机构的管理人员。根据公司政策、哺乳室和房间设施对支持水平进行评估。根据对哺乳室设施的回答计算出综合哺乳设施得分。
2011年秋季，51名受访者完成了一份包含22个项目的在线问卷。按组织类型比较支持水平：医院（n = 37）与非医院（n = 14）。医院的设施得分显著高于非医院（1.44对0.45，P = .002）。所有雇主的平均设施得分（得分 = 0.95）远低于综合水平（得分 = 3.0）。与非医院相比，医院更有可能提供哺乳室（81%对36%，P = .003），有自己的母乳喂养政策（35.1%对7.1%，P = .01），并提供额外的母乳喂养支持（如教育课程、资源；P < .05）。
无论组织类型如何，雇主都需要改进其当前做法，在工作场所实现哺乳支持的公平性。
